Les cloches, danses symphoniques

Description

Simon Rattle and his Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra expand the repertoire a hundred times recorded with these two masterpieces by Rachmaninoff: Composed and created in 1940, the Symphonic Dances are a work that is both powerful and contrasting, tragic and exalted, perfectly representative of Russian post-romanticism. Closer to a concerto for orchestra than to a symphonic poem, Rachmaninoff brings to this non-descriptive work new instrumental colors: campanelli, bells, saxophone, piano, which give it a brilliant and sparkling relief. The Bells op. 35 is a symphonic poem with choir and soloists, based on Edgar Poe, both anxious, epic, and opulent, composed on the eve of World War I. Rachmaninoff received a letter advising him to read a poem by Edgar Allan Poe to set it to music. Immediately after reading it, the composer had the idea of a vocal symphony in four parts. The premiere took place on November 30, 1913, in Saint Petersburg under the direction of the composer: The Bells received a tremendous reception. During the presentation of the work at the Moscow Philharmonic concert on February 8, 1914, Rachmaninoff achieved an unusual success. He was offered at the end of the session laurel crowns, flowers, and gifts while the audience rewarded him with a thunderous ovation. An original recording that will be praised by the press at the time Simon Rattle gives two concerts in Paris with his orchestra.