Michael Cooper wrote:

>>... with Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances (incidentally, another of
>>my "greatest pieces of music"...  comments and flames welcome), which
>>I knew for years only as orchestral music, then fell in love with as
>>piano music through the Ashkenazy/Previn recording, and now I prefer
>>the two piano version, although I still love both.  (Don't care much
>>for Argerich/Rabinovitch, which fact surprises me.)

I have backed into these, I guess. Just a few days ago I first listened
to the Argerich/Rabinovitch and was completely taken by it.  Wanting to
know a bit more, I looked on Amazon and saw some reviews that praised
the Ashkenazy/Previn, and I ordered that. So before that arrives I need
to listen again to the Argerich/Rabinovitch.

And Mimi Ezust responded:

>Ahah!  I agree with you 100%, and I was surprised, too, after reading
>all the hoo-ha about Argerich.  But Ashkenazy/Previn bring out important
>melody lines that are forgotten and swallowed up by the other pair.  They
>are true chamber musicians.  That Ashenazy/Previn set is one of my very
>all-time favorites!  It's on a moderately priced two-fer and also contains
>the suites.

I can second the Argerich hoo-ha but I look forward to the Ashkenazy/Previn.

Regarding the symphonic versions of the Symphonic Dances, whose versions
are recommended (by those who DO like it)?  Ashkenazy shows up as an
obvious possibility.  I have listened before, to Eiji Oue's with the
Minnesota Orchestra and I remember thinking, "Hey, this great", right
before I passed out and slept through it.  Time to try again.

Rick Mabry
Shreveport