In 1929, Serge Koussevitzky had the idea that some of Rachmaninov's 'Etudes-Tableaux' for piano solo would sound well if orchestrated and he suggested Respighi for this task. Rachmaninov himself was delighted with the idea and suggested five of the pieces, additionally supplying Respighi with various programmatic ideas and titles. The first number in the set is "The Sea and Seagulls" and it is heard here in a performance by the Cincinnati Orchestra under Jesus Lopez-Cobos.
Sergei Rachmaninov: 5 Etude-tableaux for orchestra
Orchestrated by Ottorino Respighi
I. La Mer et les mouettes (op.39 n.2)
II. La Foire (op.33 n.4)
III. Marche funèbre (op.39 n.7)
IV. Le Chaperon rouge et le loup (op.39 n.6)
V. Marche (op.39 n.9)
Orchestra Sinfonica della Provincia di Bari
Direttore: Michele Marvulli
Bari, Villa Romanazzi Carducci, 1997