Classical

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday June 6, 2009

Peter McCallum

RARE RACHMANINOFFAshkenazy, Olding, Rodgers (Goldner Quartet Sydney Symphony)This disc is an epilogue to the Sydney Symphony's five-CD set of Rachmaninoff's complete orchestral music under Ashkenazy. Rarest of all is the Romance In A Minor for violin and piano, in which Rachmaninoff's gift for expressive melody struggles against phrase patterns that are a little too regular. That piece, as well as two Morceaux de Salon, the popular Vocalise and an arrangement by Rachmaninoff of Mussorgsky's Hopak, provide a chance to hear violinist Dene Olding at his best.His combination of a luxurious yet lean sound and a natural instinct for expressive shape is perfect for this music. Of the two incomplete string quartets, the second movement of the second quartet, a Slavic melody over brooding ostinato, is interesting for its funereal severity. Joan Rodgers sings two inventive sacred songs with a rich full voice, while Danse Hongroise captures Olding and Ashkenazy in a moment of brilliant agility.

© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald

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