If anybody once even wondered what the benevolent sense of life means he or she should listen to this piece. Or to this http://classicalmusicmasterpie...

Part 3

Great BBC radio program about Rach 2 and how it inspired people.

"Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto, which was famously featured in David Lean's film "Brief Encounter", is one of the world's most popular pieces of classical. In this programme people describe the way in which Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto has touched and shaped their lives."

Soul Music: Rachmaninov, 2nd Piano Concerto

I actually have 5 -- but none of the ones you have. Ashkenazy, Jansons, Ormandy, Paray and Pappano. I have never given the First Symphony a serious listen. I should. I will and report back. I am a big fan of the lighthearted 3rd Symphony.

I have Maazel (BPO), Rattle (LAP) and Golovchin (Polish National Symphony). Is any one of these among your four? If so, evaluations?

I love all of Rach's symphonies. All so different. The first is very adventurous, without remotely crossing the line into pomo-nihilism. I once tried in vain to get discussion going about it here.

Last movement:

that is the most spiritually uplifting music ive ever heard.

i grew up listening to classical music my mom has hundreds of albums.

i dont believe she has any rach though.  now i know what to buy her for her birthday thanks linz.

Last time I think it was Previn conducting a Japanese orchestra. The Ashkenazy recording of this symphony is the best out of the 3 or 4 that I have.
I am a big fan of the whole thing, but I love the first and fourth movements even more than the slow movement. I also think that the 2nd Symphony is just as good as the more famous 2nd and 3rd Piano Concertos. Thanks for reminding me of this. I'll add it to my playlist this week.

...Derrwood and Samantha Blogger?

Sorry to sully this thread with a cheap joke when this is such a beautiful piece of music.

Maybe this would be more apropos: