Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Opus 44?


I had the privilege of hearing the Minnesota Orchestra perform this last evening. I know precious little about how to select an audiophile quality recording of this work. Can any of you classical buffs out there give me some suggestions? In advance...very much appreciated. Thanks.
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Andre Previn's two performances with the London Symphony Orchestra are excellent, well recorded and have held up extremely well over the years. Previn's earlier recording for RCA (LSC 2990) has never been released on CD, as far as I know. It is more dynamic and intense than the somewhat later (mid-70s) recording for EMI, which is still excellent.
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If you like an enveloping presentation then Telarc's version with Horatio Gutierrez is nice (especially for the sweeping orchestral stuff - although some complain it is too loud and piano deatil is lost because it is not close-miked)
Ashkenazy's recordings of all of the symphonies as well as the Symphonic Dances, Isle of the Dead, and The Bells, are outstanding. For both performance and the recording.

I haven't checked but I think they are available as a budget set now. His work, and Previn's, are IMHO, probably the best and I think the Ashkenazy and the LSO are better recordings and I like the performance much more. Until I got them I enjoyed Previn's, especially his #2.

Sonically the differences, to my ears, are basically that the Previn versions are a bit more lyrical (languid) and the Ashkenazy are more crisp and clear. To me its not a small difference. I like the pace, tension, color, whatever, that Askenazy brings to these already very lyrical symphonies. Unfortunately, from my POV, most performances really slow down the pace and what is initially very beautiful becomes boring on repeated hearings. FWIW, if you haven't already heard them and decided, I wouldn't be without Ashkenazy's Symphonic Dances! I indorse the set because you also get to hear his 1st Symphony which isn't too bad, and not much like #2 & 3.

Enjoy.
With Rachmaninoff, the Previn and Ashkenazy interpretations Rushton and Newbee refer to are generally felt to be the top recommendations, both of them seem to have the right feeling for the music. I have the Previn EMI recordings both on CD and vinyl and like them a lot, both interpretively and sonically. I know that Classic Records released an RCA Rachmaninoff 3 from the RCA Living Stereo series on vinyl, but I don't believe it was Previn's version. I did not like it as much as the Previn.

Shadorne, I think you misread the question, you're thinking of Piano Concerto no. 3.

There have been a lot of recordings by the top recording labels of Rach Symphony No. 2, but very few (comparatively) of No. 3, as it is not as popular a piece, even though it is an audiophile's treat with its sonics. Your experience is why I go to concerts where they play things I have not previously heard--it opens up more new worlds to discover.

By the way, I know that the Minnesota Orchestra records extensively, currently with Ondine (they have been superbly recorded over the years). Any possibility that they recorded the concert and are thinking of making it available, either as a CD or online for downloads (as many orchestras are now doing)? You might ask the orchestra about it.