RACHMANINOV: SYMPHONIES 1-3 - WELLER, L'ORCHESTRE DE LA SUISSE ROMANDE (2 CDS)

Although they have been intermittently available, Walter Weller's cycle of the three Rachmaninov Symphonies have hidden their blazing light under the Decca bushel for far too long. Recorded in absolutely thrilling Decca sound with L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (No. 1) and the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Nos. 2 and 3), these three masterpieces are now collectively issued on Australian Eloquence.

Weller's view is at once trenchant and expansive. He is able to extract the last ounce of emotion from such symphonic-scapes as the slow movement of the Second - taken at a seemingly dangerously slow tempo, but which, with his unerring shaping of that popular movement, seems just right.

Grippingly emotional, these readings will now take their rightful place in recording history with such other great stereo recordings as those by Eugene Ormandy and Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Rachmaninov: Symphonies Nos. 1-3

L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Walter Weller