Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 / Vasily Petrenko / Oslo Philharmonic 

After listening to many versions of this piece, I'm strictly convinced that maestro Petrenko's version cannot be surpassed. The Oslo Philharmonic and Petrenko are some of the best duos of our time. Everything they produce is utterly beautiful and divine. And one more thing, Petrenko is one of the rarest conductors that can take a piece out of its standard and usual form and flex it to his own ideas. This requires an incredible amount of encouragement.

The Adagio at 29:30 is pure magic

Petrenko and the Oslo Philharmonic have such a great chemistry. They blend in so well and they clearly have a great musical understanding of each other. What happens is something like this is produced. Can you come to the UK one day?

Isn't the Adagio one of the most beautiful movements in all classical music?! Thank God for this season of working from home. I'd scarcely listened to Rachmaninoff beforehand; now I'm profoundly impressed with the soul and genius of his music. And I love Maestro Petrenko's conducting too. Bravo!

I want to thank my high school music teacher ms. Lee for introducing me to this incredibly beautiful piece of music. Ms. Lee if you are still with us, from the bottom of my heart I will forever be grateful. You don’t know how much you changed this boy from the ghetto’s life.

As monumentally gorgeous as the Adagio is, that sudden modulation from 42:08 to 42:12 never fails to get me. It's so subtle and only happens once in that whole 15-minute movement, but it tugs at my heartstrings every single time 🥲🥰

The Adagio movement is my FAV.

Vasily Petrenko is one of the most gifted conductors on the classical music scene today. May his artistry and command of the score continue to enlighten and refresh the repertoire.

I’ve heard dozens of symphony orchestras perform R2, both in live performances and all up and down RU-vid. One thing is clear: the brilliant orchestrator and harmonist Rachmaninoff transcends anyone and everything that presents his beautiful music.

OMG, what a Rach 2 symphony, one that penetrates the Slavic soul like no other. Surely, the DEFINITIVE performance, to me at least! Maestro Petrenko is top class and the Oslo players better than even the Berliners! Bitte. My wish is to hear this great orchestra play this same piece (with the same passion!) with this great conductor in the Dewan Fil over here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, perhaps, when the Covid 19 pandemic is over. And that clarinet solo with Leif Pederson in the Adagio..........

I've never before seen a conductor with such control over whole orchestra. He uses his hands and fingers as of he was playing a very large and complex instrument, everyone was in sync so the harmony was crisp and clear. Brilliant.

I. Largo - Allegro Moderato 0:00 II. Allegro molto 19:18 III. Adagio 29:30 IV. Allegro vivace 44:34

I'm the best.

This is an incredible performance. Every member of that orchestra feels and "understands" what the music is "saying" and you can see it on their faces. They're good and they know it. So much energy!

After the storm comes the peace of the Adagio…..repeating the motifs we hear in the first two movements but with such serenity and calm. Gives me chills every time I hear it.

Rachmaninoff is one of favourite Composer and this symphony does move me emotionally! I have watched this amazing symphony performed so many times by different orchestras and all of them were excellent! It's very difficult for me to say which orchestra is better than the others because by doing so I am making a judgement which is not fair on any orchestra. Having said that this concert is excellent. Super performance by Oslo Philharmonic orchestra and an very involved Conductor though young brings out the best from this orchestra. On the lighter side my girlfriend and me are watching the wonder of Rachmaninoff in full flow with a glass of wine!

The Third Movement (Adagio) gives me goosebumps every single time! (And I've heard it many many times!) One of the best interpretations of Rach Symphony 2 - one of my favourite symphonies!

That brief interjection of a jolly, proud march at 23:50 is so incredible. I don't know why I enjoy that part so, but it just speaks to the creative genius of Rachmaninov. All of the themes in this song could be expanded into their own 30-minute long work.

The first 4 minutes are just pure magic.

I've heard this symphony countless times. this is probably the best i've ever heard it. fantastic clarity, masterful use of tempo, spirit and emotion are everpresent. love when artists can take an old standard and convincingly do something different with it. beautifully done.

This is the most intense emotionally compelling symphony ever. In 90s I remember attending it with ST Louis symphony orchestra when conducted by Leonard Slatkin. I sat in the first row and the finale ending was an out of body experience. Felt at union with the violinists who on turn were in a different world.

Right at 35:52. It gets so intense that it builds up to something powerful. I just love it.

This symphony is brilliant as is this performance. I first heard Rachmaninoff's second symphony at a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert years ago. I had gone primarily to hear the soloist in a concerto during the first half of the concert. The emotion and intensity of the Rachmaninoff in the second half of the concert was overwhelming. To this day I cannot remember what was performed in the first half of the concert. This symphony should be performed much more frequently than it is.

This is the best perform of Rachmaninov 2nd symphony ever. Brilliant!

The third movement actually made me cry! So beautiful!

Just saw this live. Was mere meters away from him. What a actual god. The performance was LEGENDARY.

The solo clarinet in the 2nd movement was inexpressibly beautiful. I have never hear it performed more flawlessly. Brought tears. But then this movement always moves me. Maybe where the musical term derives. If it isn’t, it ought to be.

They way how Maestro Petrenko conducts, really look film-ish. The dramatic sound effects and the ambitious body language formed the best interpretation of this piece. Bravo! Rachmaninov has always been my favourite composer of all time. Such a treasure to us Rach-fans!

there is something really powerful about a brass ensemble playing a harmonic note in the lower registers. You don't hear it very often, but when they do, it is a really powerful sound.

Wow what a rendition from Oslo Philarmonic and Mr Petrenko!!! It seems to me that the orquestra members where in the high seas of emotion! They brings to me to tears. 😪 And yes, the adagio really was made with the angels behind mr Rachmaninov....and is the most highest and beautiful music ever written by a human been.

One of the best adagio in classical music

I sincerely hope that we can travel again to hear the music, see the orchestra, and share the experience sooner than later.

This is literally breathtaking

Vasily Petrenko is an amazing conductor. This is one of my favorite symphonies, done to perfection. Bravo!!

This is beautiful!! I feel like Rachmaninov is underrated as a Symphonic composer when compared to his contemporaries Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich.

Pieces at minute 31 onward melted my heart...everything doesn't seems to matter anymore in this world, while floating in the air and battling with global pandemic and world economy issues...

36:51 Goosebumps! Wow!

54:57 yep, that's how I feel this whole symphony, specially in that part. And when it begins at 54:37 is like "Oh yes, here it comes"

This is difficult to play because of Epic + Lyric impressions mixed up with modern + old. This Young conductor and Oslo phil accomplished astonishing playing indeed. I am mesmerized.

This is as good as it gets. I can’t imagine a more inspiring performance. Thank you!

La segunda sinfonía de Rachmaninoff tiene momentos conmovedores, y no sólo en el "adagio". No sé qué tan cerca vivió este hombre del mar, pero yo siento en su música flotar la brisa y alentar la marea, mientras el día se resiste hasta el último momento a morir sobre la playa y allá en el horizonte. Un ocaso interminable, hondamente nostálgico.

One of the best symphonies I've heard.

Peter, my dad was a musician who played 5 instruments and had a piano at home, where he prepared and practice for his art; I grew among scales and beautiful sounds and even though I was not gifted to play instruments, I was blessed with a good ear for quality music. I believe in inspiration, in making good music, which is telling us of the human capability and the human heart. We live in an era of mediocre art, of nudity and corruption, good music to me, is one of the purifying arts, the light that shines in dark places, a soothing bath of healing and tranquility; I do not know what I would have done with this Pandemic, hitting us without good music. Peter, I wish you a Happy Season and a Much Better New Year. Ángel

Divine symphony by my beloved composer!Stunning performance!

I love Oslo Philharmonic

At 19:05 (among other places) you can see the orchestra getting physically into the climax of the 1st movement .

Probably one of the best symphonies!

I stand in complete amazement every day-in front of my laptop, watching these conductors and talented musicians achieve total unity of purpose: to provide the most beautiful harmonic sounds that humans are able to produce. To me the most impressive feature of good music is that as we enjoy listening to it, it will not distract us from the chore at hand, it soothes the soul and blends with our spirits. My father was a musician and I grew appreciating music but, these days of crisis and pandemics, I am admiring it even more,

Not an expert who has carefully listened to 20 versions of this piece but, nonetheless, it stands out even among the many great performances on youtube. The harmonies often gave me chills. Lots of emotional energy. Great performance. The video/direction and recording add a lot as well. Wonderfully filmed. And, I guess, Rachmaninoff gets some credit too.

Thank You !! What a Masterpiece....pure Magic !!!

Bravo! Bravo! I never get tired of listening to this recording, I get goosebumps each time. Thank you Vasily Petrenko, thank you Oslo Philharmonic, but most of all thank you Sergei Rachmaninoff!

Очень искренне, до слез. Хочется всех простить и обнять весь мир! Спасибо гениальному Рахманинову , дирижеру и оркестру!

Мелодия мыслей. Так должна протекать жизнь.Так течет полноводная река. Браво Петренко. Браво оркестр Осло. Вы молодцы. Привет из Киева.

I feel like an enthralled captive of my beloved, yearning and longing to be one with my dearest one. Who could capture my soul so tightly yet tenderly than Rachmaninoff's Adagio, that my death becomes my life in that melodious and exhilarating celestial world! Thank you, Oslo Philharmanic, for the music.

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Рахманинову, Петренко, Oslo Philharmonic!!! Прошу у Бога прощения, прошу Его дать нам условия для мира и дружбы между людьми!!!

It's like a lovefest. Fabulous is justifiable. Every phrase is brought out beautifully, every movement stars, nothing is lost in this performance. What warmth!!! I think Rachmaninoff has found his conductor in Vasily Petrenko. He never abandons the players but is with them all the way. The orchestra shows total commitment to the music from the first measure. The string sections have several kinds of vibrato, very subtle and advanced, which they use to great effect and the concertmaster uses a down shift on the first finger that is very cool. All the sections and solos are very fine. What is extremely impressive is the way the entire brass section uses rubato as one to adjust and follow the interpretation/playing of the strings in passages perfectly. The clarinet solo is most excellent. He seems to use circular breathing since long passages have no breaks for breaths. Wow. Gives me chills.

This most wonderful work of genius makes me think that it's really about an hour's worth of watching with our ears the various and active thoughts and imaginings of any one of us. But the most soul-satisfying takeaway from the hour is the overall sense of comfort and well-being imparted by the splendid and life-loving Maestro Rachmaninoff. What an amazing work!

Cette symphonie est de bout en bout un véritable bonheur pour l’esprit. Vassili Petrenko maitrise cet orchestre, et sans gestes inutiles nous donne sa vision et ainsi une magnifique version. Le troisième mouvement a lui même une émotion communicative. C’est une déception que d’avoir « seulement « une version audio de la version Ashkénazy, car il signe lui aussi une œuvre formidable. En son temps la première symphonie fut un relatif échec. Et pourtant c’est aussi une merveilleuse symphonie. Il est dommage que les symphonies de Rachmaninov ne retiennent pas encore toute l’attention qu’elles devraient avoir. En tout cas pas autant que ses concertos. Rachmaninov nous a laissé quantité d’œuvres majeures. Elles ont le mérite qu’on s’y attarde. P.R.

Symphonie N° 2 fait partie de mes préférées, elle me procure un immense bonheur.💝C'est sublime .Merci Oslo Philharmonic.

Almost crying.. Wonderful music and performance!

Such great emotions can only give me classical music. Thanks for your great performances.

Эта музыка перенесла меня в другой мир! Василий Петренко,вы совершенно точно занимаетесь своим делом!

At 19:08 we hear a nice ending stroke on the timpani of a low pitched E natural note. The composer originally intended for the last note to be played only by the lower string section but a lot of conductors wisely choose the timpani as a better option

Simply stunning ! One of the great symphonies rendered brilliantly !

Magique et magnifique Rachmaninov! Bravo et Merci aux musiciens de l’Oslo Philharmonic et au talentueux chef Vasily Petrenko ❤️

19:05 ここのティンパニーがカッコイイ😊 クラリネットのソロも素晴らしいです! 感動的でした❤ ありがとうございます😂

Vasily Petrenko is a Genius! The best conductor ever! Brilliant performance! Thanks for this video!

Magnifique interprétation de cette superbe symphonie !!!! Bravo et Merci !!!

For me, this is the best version. Thankyou very much!

This is an absolutely stunning performance. Inspiring and beautiful. Bravo!

When beauty and art speaks through the magic of music

In here is peace, thoughtfulness, structure, introspection, sublimity, and beauty. Out there is noise, confusion, anarchy, and ugliness. An die, Musik!

What a great performance of arguably one of the best symphonies ever composed and the conductor is super class and I can't wait to watch this video over and over again.

it's so great, I love all of them, thank you so much

Magnifique interprétation ! Le troisième mouvement est sublimé par l'orchestre et son chef, qui ensemble, m'arrachent les larmes des yeux à chaque écoute ! On se dit alors, que Dieu existe sans doute !

The build to the climax at 15:50 is masterly in providing focus for the whole first movement. I was brought up with the classic Previn LSO/70s but this is right up there. Thank you!

Rachmaninoff always blows me away..

This performance is so romantic and yet so very clear and clean. Bravo to the Oslo orchestra members and Maestro Petrenko!! I think this is an excellent relationship, and it's obvious the orchestra members--though very focused--are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Love to see that.

Vasily, you are a genius!

26:40 sounds like a deep breath in, then out. Beautiful moment

So beautiful. It lifts my spirits to hear something so beautiful during these dangerous times we are living through.

At 19:08 we hear the substitution of a nice solid E natural stroke played on the timpani rather than just the bass string section as in the original score by the composer. BRAVO

ｉ plan to listen to Rachmaninov’s　Symphony No.2 on Sat. 11st May 2024 at yokoyama minato mirai hall in JPN. so ｉ listen to this youtube for my study, thank U❤

What a performance! and that finale!!!!! I get goosebumps down my spine every single time!

This symphony draws your attention and then you start to love it like few others. Thanks to RU-vid for the different versions but this is my favourite. Inspired score and beautiful playing. Last seen for real at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (RNCM) and bowled over. Hope one day I will see it played by Oslo Phil for real, but this recording is so special.

Que Belleza! Sublime! Los brazos de Petrenko son como alas! Vuela con el corazón!

Just wonderful

Wonderful symphony! The "adagio" it's like soundtrack of old movies, it's the most beautiful moviment!

It is quite good performance. It can empress the deep meloconic emotion very well. Very moving

So beautifully done and played with such passion from a great orchestra. Congrats to the concert master for the best bowing - loved the up bows in the 1st movement - brilliant! The tempo mastery creates an unstoppable emotion, particularly in the 4th movement - it just rides across the top of heaven itself. Bravo, bravo, bravissimo!

Восхитительно! БРАВО!!! Такое очень русское исполнение, такой очень русской музыки!!! БРАВО!!!

Esta sinfonia es mi preferida...no puedo evitar cada vez que la escucho me hace llorar me arrebata todos los sentidos, me eleva, es sublime, es maravillosa, es perfecta Y que bien ejecutada. Gracias

Under Maestro Petrenko, The Oslo phil.displays an obvious emotional connection. The kind of dynamic personal investment that is totally compelling.For me...one of the most riveting experiences I've ever had with this glorious work.🎵🏆🏆

The most breathtaking rendition of the "big" clarinet solo I've ever heard. Utterly flawless! BRAVO Leif Pederson!

Brilliant performance!

19:08 the effect of the timpani alone (as opposed to with support of the double basses as it’s usually done to make the E more audible) is incredible. It’s done so well here that it proves this is the better idea that needs no improvement. Just do as the GOAT wrote.

the conductor allows the raw emotion, the sublime pathos, and the organic majesty of this piece to come through - before this my favorite had always been Andre Previn’s RPO Telarc 1985 rendition, but this certainly is its equal . These musicians are to be applauded mightily.

the 3rd movement~💜 thank you so much for the post!! i mean it 🍀

How perfectly he sweeps his left hand with that crescendo at 5:50 . Remarkable composer and it’s the little moments like those that make this performance transcendental.

Ik heb het stuk vaak op CD gehoord. Om het te zien uitvoeren is een ware belevenis. Nu pas zie ik hoe moeilijk en complex het stuk is. De musici leveren gezamenlijk een echte prestatie, ze scheppen een kunstwerk.