Ormandy pioneered the recording of the three Rachmaninov symphonies in stereo, and in many ways his performances remain unsurpassed... The Second Symphony has great intensity of feeling and passion. The First Symphony was the work's first stereo version, an exceptionally strong performances it is too. Ormandy's thrustful view of the outer movements is supported by superbly committed Philadelphia playing, with the orchestra on top form... In some ways the Third Symphony is even more distinguished... The playing itself is marvellous, and this warmth of feeling carries over in the touchingly shaped Vocalise which acts as a final encore. ...[N]ot to be missed, even if you have more modern version so these splendid works.
-- The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs & DVDs [2003/4 edition]
