Rachmaninov: Symphonies Nos. 1-3 & Symphonic Dances

Valery Gergiev is at his finest in the music of Rachmaninov. His cycle of the symphonies with the London Symphony Orchestra is hugely impressive, featuring a thrilling account of the First Symphony, which he drives with unremitting power, a Second of colossal sweep, and a beautifully judged Third. The LSO, in fine form on these live recordings, puts on its best Russian accent. The Symphonic Dances, perhaps more American than Russian, are done with enormous conviction: the LSO could probably play them in its sleep, but they sound like a fresh encounter here.