Rachmaninov’s Symphony no.3 in A minor is a radiant synthesis of the composer’s early and later periods. Poorly received at the time, its lyricism and colour are pervasive and it has duly taken its place in the repertoire, not least because of its warm-hearted voluptuousness, rhythmic vitality and inventive structure. Written in 1891, a single movement is all that exists of the Symphony in D minor ‘Youth’, while The Rock is an early example of Rachmaninov’s powers of descriptive intensity. These acclaimed VOX recordings conducted by Leonard Slatkin were originally issued in 1979 and 1982.

Slatkin, a prominent Naxos conductor, has an extensive portfolio of recordings to promote. One notable achievement is his re-recording of the Rachmaninov symphonies and other orchestral works with the Detroit Symphony, which are now available as a boxed set (8503278) or as individual discs. In reference to his 1975-76 VOX recordings of Rachmaninov’s Second and Third Piano Concertos featuring Abbey Simon and the St Louis Symphony, BBC Music Magazine describes the orchestral and piano tones as ‘sleek and warm’, and notes that ‘the slow movements work best’ with the Second Concerto’s Adagio sostenuto having ‘some fine climaxes’. They further comment that the performances are ‘companionable throughout’. These recordings can be found on VOX-NX-3014CD.

The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.

Originally released on LPs in 1979 (QSVBX 5152) and reissued in 1982 (4-VCL 9013)

‘Slatkin’s light and energetic approach to No. 3 underlines the work’s magical sense of new within the old while revelling in its glittering orchestration – all vividly rendered by the St. Louis Symphony, which provides finely honed and animated playing throughout the set…’ – ClassicsToday.com

‘At the very start of his career in St. Louis, [Slatkin] he’s already fully in tune with the composer’s darkly brooding, but also deeply Romantic sound world. Slatkin’s work revitalised the St. Louis forces, and it’s really not hard to see why.’ – Classical.Net