Pavarotti’s FIRST EVER recording, officially released for the first time, to mark 50 years of his international career, as well as 50 years with Decca!

Amazon: http://po.st/PavAma

Che gelida manina - Luciano Pavarotti - previously unreleased track

RACHMANINOFF 150: A CELEBRATION
Episode No 1, Introduction and Preview

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations.  Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.  

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone 
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre 
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor 
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist 
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: https://hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 1, Introduction and Preview

This podcast covers Rachmaninoff’s setting of Three Russian Folk Songs for Chorus and Orchestra plus his audaciously experimental Variations on a Theme of Corelli, and we also hear how he built a new home of special beauty and atmosphere by the shores of Lake Lucerne at Senar.  There is commentary from Rachmaninoff scholar Philip Bullock and pianist Helene Grimaud.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 17, Three Russian Songs, the Corelli Variations and a new home

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration  - Ep. 2, Early life, student works and Piano Concerto 1

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

Podcast 2 covers Rachmaninoff’s earliest known compositions, and there is commentary from his late grandson Alexander Rachmaninoff.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration  - Ep. 2, Early life, student works and Piano Concerto 1

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 3, Aleko

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

In Podcast 3, we hear how Rachmaninoff’s extraordinarily precocious first opera Aleko came about, and there is commentary from the baritone Sergei Leiferkus

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 3, Aleko

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 4, Prelude in C# Minor and Suite No 1 for Two Pianos

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

Podcast 4 features Rachmaninoff’s first major success, his Prelude in C# Minor, and we hear from one of his letters how the sounds of church bells influenced this and also a movement from his Suite No 1 for Two Pianos.  

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 4, Prelude in C# Minor and Suite No 1 for Two Pianos

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 5, Symphony No. 1

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 5: Symphony No 1
In this podcast Rachmaninoff’s First Symphony is discussed by the conductor Gianandrea Noseda.


In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 5, Symphony No. 1

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 6, Piano Concerto No. 2

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 6: Piano Concerto No 2
Podcast 6 describes how Rachmaninoff recovered from the severe psychological blow of the public failure of his First Symphony and went on to write one of the most popular compositions in the history of classical music, his 2nd Piano Concerto – and there is commentary from the pianist Garrick Ohlsson. 

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 6, Piano Concerto No. 2

Rachmaninoff 150 - A Celebration: Ep. 7 - Spring Cantata and Preludes Opus 23

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

In this podcast we hear the conductor Gianandrea Noseda and the Rachmaninoff scholar Philip Bullock discuss the composer’s Spring Cantata and we hear commentary on the Preludes Opus 23 and Rachmaninoff’s piano music in general from the pianists Nicolai Lugansky and Helene Grimaud.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 7, Spring Cantata and Preludes Opus 23

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 8, The Miserly Knight and Francesca Da Rimini

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 8: Second and third operas – The Miserly Knight, and Francesca da Rimini
Podcast 8 covers Rachmaninoff’s second and third opera, The Miserly Knight and Francesca da Rimini, written at similar times, and there is commentary from the baritone Sergei Leiferkus.


In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 8, The Miserly Knight and Francesca Da Rimini

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 9, Songs

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 9: Songs
Podcast 9 features some of Rachmaninoff’s prolific output of songs, and there is commentary from conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano, and from Rachmaninoff scholars Philip Bullock and Geoffrey Norris.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 9, Songs

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 10 - Symphony No. 2 and Piano Sonata No. 1

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 10: Symphony No 2 and Piano Sonata No 1
In this podcast we hear from pianist Sean Botkin and Rachmaninoff scholar Geoffrey Norris about the Symphony No 2 and the Piano Sonata No 1.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 10 - Symphony No. 2 and Piano Sonata No. 1

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 11, The Isle of the Dead and Piano Concerto No 3

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 11: The Isle of the Dead and Piano Concerto No 3
Podcast 11 features the orchestral tone poem The Isle of the Dead and the Piano Concerto No 3, and there is commentary from conductor Vladimir Jurowski, conductor and pianist Mikhail Pletnev, and Rachmaninoff scholar Geoffrey Norris.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep. 11, The Isle of the Dead and Piano Concerto No 3

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 12, Liturgy of St John Chrysostom and All Night Vigil

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

In Podcast 12 we hear Rachmaninoff’s two major choral works that set texts from the Russian Orthodox Church services, and there is commentary from Rachmaninoff scholars Philip Bullock and Geoffrey Norris.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 12, Liturgy of St John Chrysostom and All Night Vigil

Rachmaninoff 150 - A Celebration: Ep 13, The Bells

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 13: The Bells
This podcast covers the work that Rachmaninoff felt was the favourite of all his compositions: the cantata The Bells. There is commentary from Sir Antonio Pappano.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150 - A Celebration: Ep 13, The Bells

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 14, Piano Sonata No 2

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 14: Piano Sonata No 2
The pianist Peter Jablonski and the Rachmaninoff scholar Geoffrey Norris discuss the composer’s Second Piano Sonata in this podcast.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Ep 14, Piano Sonata No 2

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 15, Last Music in Russia

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 15: Last Music in Russia
This podcast covers the last two years of Rachmaninoff’s time in his homeland of Russia before he had to emigrate on account of the Russian Revolution.  Soprano Joan Rodgers and Rachmaninoff scholars Philip Bullock and Geoffrey Norris comment on the composer’s adventurous innovations in the songs and piano pieces he wrote at this time.

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 15, Last Music in Russia

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 16, After the Revolution: Pianist, and Piano Concerto No 4

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 16: After the Revolution – Pianist, and Piano Concerto No 4
In Podcast 16 we trace Rachmaninoff’s new life as an exile after the Russian Revolution, and there is commentary from Rachmaninoff scholar Geoffrey Norris and the composer’s late grandson Alexander Rachmaninoff. 

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 16, After the Revolution: Pianist, and Piano Concerto No 4

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 18, Paganini Variations, and a visit to Senar

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

No 18: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, and a visit to Senar
Podcast 18 sets the scene at Rachmaninoff’s home Senar where he composed his famous Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.  There is commentary from the composer’s late grandson Alexander Rachmaninoff and from the Director of the new Senar Cultural and Educational Centre Andrea Loetscher. 

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 18, Paganini Variations, and a visit to Senar

Rachmaninoff 150 - A Celebration: Episode 19, Symphony No 3

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 19: Symphony No 3
In podcast 19, pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev discusses Rachmaninoff’s evolving styles of composition during the trajectory of his life, and we hear part of the Symphony No 3. 

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150 - A Celebration: Episode 19, Symphony No 3

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 20 - Symphonic Dances and Conclusion

20 PODCASTS WITH PERFORMANCES AND DISCUSSION BY ACCLAIMED ARTISTS

No 20: Symphonic Dances, and Conclusion
In this final podcast, Rachmaninoff scholar Geoffrey Norris, the composer’s late grandson Alexander Rachmaninoff, and conductor and pianist Sir Antonio Pappano sum up the composer’s life and achievement, and we hear his final work, the Symphonic Dances, together with one his last letters about his music. 

In these 20 Podcasts celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s birth, acclaimed international musicians discuss and perform his compositions, and two of his distinguished biographers also discuss some of the composer’s most innovative creations. Additionally, the composer’s grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, remembers his grandfather, and Rachmaninoff himself is also heard performing some of his works.

Rachmaninoff 150 – A Celebration is a collaborative production between the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation (www.rachmaninoff.ch), Decca Classics (www.deccaclassics.com), which has issued all the music Rachmaninoff composed on the 32 CD box set, “Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Works”, and the WFMT Radio Network (www.wfmt.com), which is syndicating a 1 hour radio documentary that is adapted from these podcasts.

Speakers in these features are:

Sean Botkin - Pianist
Philip Bullock – Author of“Rachmaninoff and His World”
Hélène Grimaud – Pianist
Peter Jablonski – Pianist
Vladimir Jurowski – Conductor
Sergei Leiferkus – Baritone
Andrea Loetscher – Director of the Villa Senar Cultural and Educational Centre
Nicolai Lugansky – Pianist
Geoffrey Norris – Author of “Rachmaninoff – The Master Musicians Series”
Gianandrea Noseda – Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson – Pianist
Sir Antonio Pappano – Conductor and Pianist
Mikhail Pletnev – Conductor and Pianist
Alexander Rachmaninoff – Grandson of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Joan Rodgers - Soprano

Philip Bullock is heard by kind permission of baritone Thomas Hampson’s Hampsong Foundation: hampsongfoundation.org/

Rachmaninoff’s Letters are read by Kerry Frumkin

The host and producer of the podcasts is Jon Tolansky.

Rachmaninoff 150: A Celebration - Episode 20 - Symphonic Dances and Conclusion

Have you listened to Alisa Weilerstein's new album 'Shostakovich Cello Concertos 1 + 2'? Clemency Burton Hill interviews her in this new podcast!

iTunes http://po.st/LUeAL6
Amazon http://po.st/SVV86m
Spotify hyperurl.co/324mf1

Alisa Weilerstein on Shostakovich

Complete Piano Concertos - https://decca.lnk.to/AshkenazyConcertoFP

Vladimir Ashkenazy on Sir Georg Solti

Ashkenazy on Itzhak Perlman

Ashkenazy Great Conductors

VERDI: REQUIEM  ‘Libera Me’ (clip) - Philips

Ernest Ansermet: A Memoir explores the life, music-making and continuing influence of the pioneer and pacesetter who became one of the greatest conductors of the twentieth century.

‘A modest, upright, uncompromising and stubborn man – he hated any stardom.  Nevertheless, Ernest Ansermet became one of the greatest conductors of our century’. (Francois Hudry)

Admired by musicians, scholars and his audiences for the style, detail, colour and high discipline of his performances, Ernest Ansemet pursued his outstanding results through meticulous and intensive preparation at rehearasals.

Ernest Ansermet died just three months after completing his recording of The Firebird, in February 1969.  His passing was the end of an epoch not only in musical history but also in recording history.  His 78rpm discs of Petrushka with the London Philharmonic Orchestra had unleashed unheard of potential for the industry, and he had endorsed and encouraged the balance engineer Roy Wallace in Decca’s first experimental stereophonic recording, of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Antar.  This was at a time, in 1954, when most conductors of his generation were uninterested in and even in some cases suspicious of new technology.  His huge catalogue of Decca discs became internationally venerated yardsticks of quality – artistic quality as well as recording quality of course, and an artist in his young years who was strongly affected by them and also by Ansermet’s concert performances was to become one of Decca’s subsequent celebrated conductors.


The speakers in this feature are:

Ernest Ansermet – Conductor 
Francine Courvoisier – Lawyer 
Berthold Goldschmidt – Composer and Conductor
François Hudry – Author and Producer
Laurent Kasper-Ansermet – Jurist
John Mordler – Recording Producer and Opera Director  
Patrick Strevens – Horn Player 
Basil Tschaikov – Clarinettist 

The narrator and producer is Jon Tolansky.

Maestro Ansermet’s recollections were given to the producer and film director Robert Chesterman in 1968.  They were broadcast in a series he produced for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which has kindly agreed the use of the extracts included in this feature.  The Curator of Classical Music at the British Library has kindly supplied the extracts from the Library’s recorded copy of the broadcasts.  The other recollections are being issued here for the first time.

06 Ernest Ansermet and Maurice Ravel

Janine would like to thank her fans for their support following her best selling recording of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons being selected as an iTunes Classical Essentials highlight globally.

The recording has been Mastered for iTunes directly from the original recording source master for optimum sound quality.

Listen to a track from the album here: https://soundcloud.com/deccaclassics/vivaldi-the-four-seasons

Buy on iTunes

Janine Jansen - An iTunes Essentials Classical artist

Clips from Cecilia Bartoli's new release, Bellini’s dramatic opera 'Norma'

Available now
AMAZON: http://smarturl.it/BartoliNormaAmazon
iTUNES: http://smarturl.it/NormaiTunes

Act II Scene 1 - Si, fino all'ore estreme

Act II Scene 3 - Qual cor tradisti, qual cor perdesti

Decca Classics - Home to the stars of Classical Music

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