Symphony No. 2 in B minor

Alexander Borodin

Kurt Sanderling / Staatskapelle Dresden

1961

Top choice. Sanderling was well-versed in Russian repertoire. Everything is 'underlined and brought forward,' creating a 'very menacing and intense' performance that sweeps you along. Very present, atmospheric recording.

Jean Martinon / London Symphony Orchestra

1958

A fleeter, more quick-moving, and virtuosic alternative. The beauty of the writing and the orchestra's sound comes out well. An intense and virtuosic recording from an exciting conductor.

Nikolai Golovanov / Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra

1947 Sound quality is 'a little rough... kind of noisy,' but it fits the interpretation.

For 'crazy intensity.' One of the most intense symphony recordings ever heard; they 'just go nuts with it.' The rough, rustic sound quality almost fits the interpretation.