Symphonic Dances

The Symphonic Dances is an exhilarating summary of Rachmaninov’s life’s work – rhythmically animated and truly symphonic, nostalgic and sarcastic. He creates a wondrous kaleidoscope of instrumental colours, from the mellow crooning of an alto saxophone to the dry-bones clatter of a xylophone, and with its incisive dance rhythms inspired by folk and jazz the work finally explodes with visceral energy. More akin to a symphony, Shostakovich’s First ...