Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian", Op.17
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Eugene Goossens

2. Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by National Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Sidney Beer

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 5, Music, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Sidney Beer, Sir Eugene Goossens, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Classical, Romantic Symphony, Symphonic

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A famous "Little Russian" and more great Tchaikovsky from Giulini

Extraordinary performances by a master conductor!

My Favorite "Pathetique"

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6; Romeo and Juliet; Francesca da Rimini

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Chicago Recordings

Dvorák: Symphony No.9/ Schubert: Symphony No.8

Mahler: Symphony No. 9 / Schubert: Symphony No. 8

ASIN: B0007RO570
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

I. Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Vivo
II. Andantino Marziale, Quasi Moderato
III. Scherzo (Allegro Molto Vivace - L'istesso Tempo)
IV. Moderato Assai - Allegro - Presto
Symphonic Fantasia

Tracks:

I. Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo
II. Allegro Con Grazia
III. Allegro Molto Vivace
IV. Finale (Adagio Lamentoso - Andante)
Fantasy Overture

Customer Reviews:

A famous "Little Russian" and more great Tchaikovsky from Giulini.......2006-09-26

Giulini's classic recording of the 'Little Russian' symphony was always one of his calling cards--it has real sweep and urgency, miles away from the less-than-vital conducting style he adopted in later years. The sonics are paper thin but clear, and the Philharmonia plays with commitment. I was grateful to hear such excitment in the first movement (by comparison the readings from Karajan, Abbado, and even Bernstein sound inert). The pointed woodwind playing in the second movement is tangy, the Scherzo bounces along like ballet music, and the finale remains grand without pomposity. How rare those virtues are in performances of the Tchaikovsky Second.

Francesca da Rimini is considerably better recorded, but I wish EMI had toned down the treble a little. Giulini's reading doesn't quite match the searing ones from Mravinsky, Stokowski, and Markevitch, but it's very good, with additional intensity form the highlighted recording. The Pathetique that follows was always well rgarded, even if once again Giulini can't match the incandescence of Mravinsky, the sheer virtuosity of Reiner with the Chicago Sym., or the personal intensty of Bernstein on DG. His is an ardent, heart-on-sleeve performance that appeals to me far more than, say, Jansons or Pletnev, however. The Scherzo is dashing and vibrant, and the finale, a minute or two slower than usual, feels melancholy rather than tragic. The recorded sound is the best so far on this bargain two-fer.

finally we get Giulini's Romeo and Juliet, also widely admired in its day forty years ago. By now te listener will appreciate the conductor's overall style, which is distinctly warm but not Russian, tending toward gentleness rather than blazing excitement. All the ardor of Rome and Juliet is brought out, yet the intensity remains restrained. All in all, EMI has ignored these recordings for a long time, and it's woderufl to have them gathered together in one place.

Extraordinary performances by a master conductor!.......2005-12-13

Carlo Maria Giulini 's death on June has been possibly the saddest musical absences of this year. I won 't get tired to affirm the musical world lost a wise man in all sense. The happy meeting with the Philharmonia was a successful event, this orchestra is simply magnificent. Woods, strings, metals are extremely powerful and filled with aristocratic profile when you require it. Giulini and this ensemble made important contributions. Go for instance to his Mozart' s Symphonies 40 and 41 of 1965 (London Label, hard to get it, by the way)

His vision of Tchaikovsky 's Second Symphony is the most complete and integral I have ever heard previously or even later. There have been fortunate, powerful, sumptuous and perfumed versions: Markevitch and Muti have made striking performances. But anyone of them has been able to equal this unique and eloquent reading. Giulini made a true dissection, an openhearted and systematic interpretation filled with details without losing the apex of the work. He underlined literally all the ingredients that consolidate it as the most Imperial of his three First Symphonies. There is emotion, lyricism, vitality, energy, expressive elegance and visceral approach. There is not any detail you may refuse.

His Sixth Symphony deserves special mention. Absolutely idiomatic, profound and persuasive. Giulini went to the core of the score and extracted all the substance to expose before us one of the most relevant and pyramidal versions in the history of the disc. There is an admirable fact you always should take in mind every time you listen it. Go for the expressive Waltz of the second Movement and then go to the Fourth Movement and realize how the composer reintroduces the same Waltz but in a dark tonality This is the key.

Francesca de Rimini is rich in details, precise and dramatic, although the best rendition of this page comes from Munch and the Boston Symphony.

Romeo and Juliet is a magisterial version, filled of flair and panache; once more the virtuosity of the Orchestra allows us to watch those little details, such as modulation, tempi, and careful sense of expression.

This album deserves without any bit of doubt, to be placed in the coveted list of the best and more successful re mastering records of the Year. Not only due its artistic significance but besides, the sumptuous fidelity and polished sound.

Bravo for the Sound Engineers of EMI. I really hope future feats keep going like this extraordinary event.

A must-buy; it 's my most sincere recommendation.

My Favorite "Pathetique".......2005-05-25

There are lots of magical accounts of Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony available on CD -- Monteux (see my review), Mravinsky, Reiner, Markevitch, Karajan, Ormandy, Barbirolli, Silvestri -- but my hands-down favorite account of the "Pathetique" has always been Giulini's 1959 recording with the Philharmonia. It was previously available in several CD incarnations from EMI but has been out-of-print for years...until now! With this release, EMI has produced another gem in the "Gemini" series, the label's new incredibly inexpensive two-disc budget classical line. This set features four glorious Giulini Tchaikovsky recordings -- the aforementioned 6th Symphony, the 2nd Symphony also known as "Little Russian" (a brilliant performance!), Romeo and Juliet, and Francesca da Rimini, all with the Philharmonia from the late 50s and early 60s in grand golden-age stereo. Like the 6th, the 2nd and Romeo have been available on CD previously but were also OOP prior to this reissue -- only the Francesca was currently in-print via an EMI Seraphim title. Now you can finally hear for yourself what all the fuss is about, and you don't have to spend a fortune to do it.

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EXCITING PERFORMANCES VINTAGE STEREO SOUND BUT NOT SACD
Dorati's MLP Tchaikovsky Gems Are Back!

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00035VV7I
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

EXCITING PERFORMANCES VINTAGE STEREO SOUND BUT NOT SACD.......2005-09-27

Despite whar Mr Richman says in his review below this five disc box set does NOT consist of hybrid SACD discs. They are all CDs - generously filled but still basic 16 bit discs. It may be that Mercury's parent company plans to release these discs singly as three channel SACDs but here you get the two channel mixes that originally appeared on LP and on the 1990s CD releases. It would have been great to hear them in three channel - Dorati's "Firebird" sounds magnificent on SACD - but this box is still a bargain. There's some low level hiss and the occasional tape clunk but these are small blemishes on some exciting late 50s and early 60s recordings that make most of today's offerings sound sterile and cautious. Dorati's Tchaikovsky is never winsome or self-pitying. As a masterly ballet conductor Dorati never ignores the lilt and sway of the composer's waltz-inspired lighter moments - but he and the orchestra (London Symphony and Minneapolis) really let rip for the exciting brass perorations. Try the finale of the "Little Russian" symphony, or "Francesca di Rimini", for some real sock-blowing sound! Even if you own other recordings of these popular works try to find a space on your shelf for Dorati and the inimitable Mercury sound.

Dorati's MLP Tchaikovsky Gems Are Back!.......2005-05-25

Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know my great love for the Mercury Living Presence series. Equally great is my disgust that so many of these brilliant recordings have been deleted in the last few years! Thankfully, some of these legendary performances are resurfacing as SACD hybrids. Unfortunately, they are now being sold at full-price, despite a competing hybrid series on RCA/BMG being available at midline. In spite of the added expense, I hope this MLP reissue trend will continue, and maybe we'll even see a few items getting their CD debut.

This Tchaikovsky Symphony Cycle by the great Antal Dorati has always been one of my favorite MLP offerings. While a two-disc set of Symphonies 1-3 and a single title of the 4th continue to be available in their original CD incarnations, the CDs of Symphonies 5 & 6 have gone out-of-print recently. However, with this box set they are now deservedly restored to the catalog. Even better is the fact that the four 5CD box sets being reissued have been so reasonably priced. This Tchaikovsky set, and the ones of Dorati conducting Bartok, Paray conducting French music, and Hanson conducting a variety of American music, including his own compositions, have a total cost cheaper than the original single issue CDs! Once again, Mercury Living Presence lives!

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 - Mikhail Pletnev

Average customer rating:

Not a bad conductor
You could do worse...
More Exciting Tchaikovsky from Pletnev
This Sad Pletnev Story
Not the best around; but DEFINITELY not the worst....

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 - Mikhail Pletnev
Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Mikhail Pletnev , and Russian National Orchestra
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos, Symphony Pathetique, The Seasons, & Piano Pieces; Mikhail Pletnev/Russian National Orchestra (4 CD's)

ASIN: B000001GSB
Release Date: 2005-03-21

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: Daydreams On A Wintry Road - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: O Land Of Gloom, O Land Of Mist! - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: Scherzo: Allegro scherzando giocoso - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: Finale: Andante lugubre - Allegro moderato - Allegro maestoso - Andante lugubre - Allegro vivo - P.I. Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Scherzo - Alegro molto vivace - Trio
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Presto
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Andante sostenuto - Moderato con anima - Moderato assai, quasi Andante - Allegro vivo
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Andantino in modo di canzone
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Scherzo - Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Finale- Allegro con fuoco

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Introduzione e Allegro - Moderato assai (Tempo di marcia funebre) - Allegro brillante
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Alla tedesca - Allegro moderato e semplice - Trio
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Andante elegiaco
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Scherzo - Allegro vivo - Trio
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Finale - Allegro con fuoco (Tempo di Polacca)

Tracks:

Symphony No.5 In E Minor Op.64: Andante - Allegro con anima
Symphony No.5 In E Minor Op.64: Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza - Moderato con anima - Andante mosso - Allegro non troppo - Tempo I
Symphony No.5 In E Minor Op.64: Valse - Allegro moderato
Symphony No.5 In E Minor Op.64: Finale - Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace - Molto vivace - Moderato assai e molto maestoso - Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No.6 In B Minor Op. 74 'Pathetique': Adagio - Allegro non troppo - Andante - Moderato mosso Allegro vivo - Andante come prima - Andante mosso
Symphony No.6 In B Minor Op. 74 'Pathetique': Allegro con grazia
Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No.6 In B Minor Op. 74 'Pathetique': Finale - Adagio lamentoso - Andante

Amazon.com

A disaster. These dull, lackluster performances demonstrate conclusively that, however interesting Mikhail Pletnev may be as a pianist, he simply does not yet know how to conduct an orchestra. How can you tell? Because as a pianist he's willful, rhapsodic, eccentric, but full of ideas and never boring. As a conductor, he's metronomic, reserved, inhibited, and simply unable to impress any interpretive character on the music at all. And despite the fact that these are recent digital recordings, they don't even sound that great. Avoid. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Not a bad conductor.......2007-05-18

Oh, please. These are terrible, yes, but Pletnev is (or can be) a wonderful conductor when he is "in the mood." For example, his Tchaikovsky Overtures (on a 3-disc Virgin set) are wonderful, colorful, musical. Same with his Prokofiev Cinderella.

I admit it is interesting to learn about Pletnev's rather flashy religious conversion. It explains a lot about his "sleepiness" at the keyboard post 1990. (For some horrific examples of this bad trait, listen to his two Chopin albums, or his Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto, or his Scarlatti Sonatas - ugh. Where's the color, drive, and music in these performances?)

It also explains strange little comments made by some reviewers about Pletnev, stuff about "his truly human humility," "his deep, unaggressive humility," that sort of thing. If the Russian Orthodox religion is THAT boring - placing a premium on "humility" and "nonaggression" in artistic matters - then we're in for a lot of boring records by Mikhail. It isn't "touching" or "profound" to play the Rachmaninoff or Prokofiev Third as if you haven't had your morning coffee yet.

You could do worse..........2003-03-06

You could do worse'Pletnev isn't as bad a conductor as some make him out to be (his recording of Tchaikovsky's Sixth on Virgin records is actually quite spectacular). Tchaikovsky is my favorite symphonic composer, and while only his later 3 have achieved popularity, his first 3 are very enjoyable. They may lack the intensity of the 4th or 6th, and the poignancy of the 5th, and the form is noticeably sophomoric, but they do contain some fairly ingenious musical ideas and thematic elements. If you are thinking of buying just 2 or 3 of the symphonies, it is undoubtedly worth the money to purchase all 6 (7 if you include Manfred). This set is the best you can get for the under fifty dollars, but it isn't the best set you can buy. Pletnev does am outstanding job with the quieter and less intense moments of the music. His slow movements are absolutely touching (with the exception of the final movement of the final symphony, which, though slow and mournful, requires a more underlying intensity that is lacking here). The second movement's heart stopping opening chord sequence is simply some of the most beautiful music ever written, and Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra make it all the more touching. Unfortunately, the music does lack intensity. The climax of the sixth symphony's first movement is very intense, but other many other points in the music lack that same passion. At times, the balance of the orchestra can be a little off as well. There are actually several themes and motifs that I never knew were there (because they were drowned out) until I looked at the score. So if you don't want to spend to much money on these amazing pieces, this is a good set, but if you a more dedicated classicalist, I would recommend springing for an alternate set.

More Exciting Tchaikovsky from Pletnev.......2000-02-12

Mikhail Pletnev burst onto the conducting scene nearly a decade ago with an electrifying account of Tchaikovsky's 6th with this same orchestra on Virgin classics. Indeed, that recording is the most viscerally exciting account of the 6th ever committed to disc. Though this set of all Tchaikosvky's symphonies does not quite attain the same heights, it is still an exciting traversal of the great Russian's output in this genre. (And, contrary to the opinion expressed by the Russian reviewer below, Tchaikovsky's first three symphonies are also brilliant masterworks.) It is a pity that DG was not more generous, failing to include the fill-ups mentioned by the reviewer from Singapore; nevertheless, this is authentic Tchaikovsky from one of the most exciting Russian conductors (and pianists) alive today. Do not hesitate to hear this!

This Sad Pletnev Story.......2000-02-07

I have to respectfully disagree with the other two gentlemen who left rather excited reviews, and agree with the editorial blurb. Pletnev is no conductor. It's a sad example of this typical trend when every good actor presumes s/he will and, for some reason, should make a good director, just as every other pianist rushes into conducting for the same reasons. This just doesn't work -- Julia Roberts directing and Pletnev conducting... oh, please! -- they only deprive us all and themselves of great performances they could have done in the areas where they are professionals. (Thank goodness Richter was doing what he was doing, and wasn't worried about "conductor's fame"). Think of Ashkenazy, too -- an outstanding pianist but a mediocre conductor. His conducting isn't bad, it's okay, but for every performance of his, there are always at least a couple of other recordings you would unmistakably choose over. The first thing about Pletnev is, his performance (including that of a pianist) has notably worsened over the last 15 years or so (these were the years of his infatuation with conducting, and with Russian Orthodox religion -- the latter has made him duller in every sense). When he was younger, he had a very fresh pianistic style and there was much excitement about him (same story with Kissin, by the way, who is getting duller and duller as the time goes). Then, under Gorbachev, when religion suddenly became a fashion among Russian intellectuals, he started doing these weird things -- he would come to a concert with a huge pretentious cross hanging over his dress (you'd think religion is a personal thing and a cross, if it means something, is to be kept under your shirt). There was much window-dressing in that. I was a student in Moscow at the time, and we would just laugh at the guy when we sat at his performances in Moscow Conservatory. The problem is, not only did he look like a boring Russian Orthodox "pop" (ie. priest), but he eventually started to "behave" like one. What I mean is, this stupid show he put on influenced his entire performing style. He became "slow and dull". He would stand there in front of the orchestra with his head down, his eyes closed and his face depicting some super-tragic emotion without any movement every other minute in the middle of the play, putting both the orchestra and everybody listening asleep. A similar thing happened to his style of a pianist -- a young energetic Pletnev who played Prokofiev's 8th sonata on par with Horowitz was gone; a new boring Pletnev who would sleep over the keyboard was born. That's the whole story. I simply can't listen to Pletnev's late work. As for his conducting in particular, I have to agree again with the editorial opinion -- it lacks any interpretive qualities. It is sour and dull. When I listened to these Tchaikovsky's pieces, I couldn't but vividly imagine Pletnev standing there "asleep" with his head down and the orchestra just going without him. By the way, speaking of the orchestra, the so called "Russian National" is a rather boring collective too (well, I guess, they found each other). It used to be "Moscow State Philharmonic" at the time of the Soviet Union, and it was only good at playing pop arrangements at "gala" kind of events. At about the same time Pletnev took over it, they renamed it "Russian National" but it didn't make it any better -- it never lived up to the standards of, for example, Svetlanov's orchestra (leave alone former Mravinsky's Leningrad Philharmonic...). I wouldn't advise this dull record to anyone -- the only justifiable reason to buy it is: you are a music student and have to learn all pros & contras around. If you are just after a nice performance of Tchaikovsky's symphonies, check the 5th in Gergiev's version and the 6th in Karajan's or even Muti's (or Svetlanov's, if you are into a more "Russian" experience). As for Tchaikovsky's earlier symphonies, I don't know why anyone would want to listen to them (the guy was a big phony in his early years). Basically, with the name Pletnev, stay away from everything that was recorded after 1990. Some of his earlier piano stuff is wonderful, though.

Not the best around; but DEFINITELY not the worst...........1999-11-10

Pletnev's Tchaikovsky cycle though not the best around ( c.f Jansons/Oslo PO ; Karajan/BPO) but yet is still very much worth a listen. Sound carries much of a typical Russian orchestra which Tchaikovsky might have intended when writing these works -big and brassy. Carries some unique and memorable moments eg. beginning of Sym. No. 6 1st Movt - the air of mystery and groom before the basoon entrance. Though it might have the sheer white-heat of the same sym. previously recorded under Virgin ( by Pletnev/RSO)previously, interpretation and performance is still marked to be one of the best around...Major minus point is that this set ( which is full-price for 5 CDs) is also available separately in 6 CDs which carries interesting fillers like the Tempest, R&J Overture and Capriccio Italtien just to name a few. Janson with Oslo PO is still first choice ( together with a electrifying performance of the Manfred) but interesting performances as this should not be missed as well...

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Pavlova: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000B6N68Q
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Tracks:

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Third Movement
Fourth Movement
Symphony No.4 - Yaroslav Krasnikov

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6; Orchestral Works (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Is Abbado better or worse in Tchaikovsky than his reputation?

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6; Orchestral Works (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00006OA67
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

Symphony No 1 In G Minor
Symphony No 2 In C Minor
Symphony No 3 In D Major
Symphony No 4 In F Minor
Symphony No 5 In E Minor
Symphony No 6 In B Minor

Customer Reviews:

Is Abbado better or worse in Tchaikovsky than his reputation?.......2007-02-17

Claudio Abbado spent considerable time with the CSO in the 1980s but rarely returned (so far as I know) after he was appointed as Karajan's successor in Berlin. His complete Tchaikovsky cycle was a flagship enterprise for Sony, and yet the results divide listeners, some of whom categorically dismiss Abbado's interpretations as boring and fussy, lacking in Slavic passion. I had casually bought into that judgment but decided recently to listen to the whole cycle afresh, leading to the following, sometimes surprising conclusions:

Sym. #1: We start off on a high point. This work, subtitled 'Winter Dreams,' is the most immature of the symphonies, relying on much repetition in place of solid sonata development, and at times it's hard to distinguish why this is a symphony and not part of a ballet suite. However, the melodies are gorgeous, and a conductor with real conviction can make the music come across. Abbado spins out the balletic first movement with energy and verve--it makes the often recommended Tilson Thomas version from Boston (on DG) seem overly refined. The lyrical second movement evokes real tenderness, the Scherzo (another balletic movement) skips along lightly but could use more rhythmic emphasis, and the finale, after an Andante lugubre introduction that could be darker, sweeps convincingly into the grand allegro, which has lots of punch and vitality. In all, an excellent performance. After you count in the fine sonics and the gorgeous playing of the Chicago Sym., Abbado outshines all his Western competition, including Karajan, Mehta, and Bernstein in their complete sets.

Sym. #2: Outstandings recordings of the First Sym. are thin on the ground, but not of the 'Little Russian,' which boasts a classic from Giulini (EMI) and a committed reading from Bernstein (Sony). Abbado has a great advantage in outstanding solo parts played with style and commitment by the Chicagoans--you won't hear better from Karajan's Berliners. Rather than aiming for folk-style earthiness, Abbado takes the work to be grander, more symphonically European. In that vein the first movement is convincing and thrilling. But the march that follows is reticent and fussy. The performance is back in form with an energetic, propulsive Scherzo, a total success. The finale is imposingly grand at the outset, rich with brass sonorities, and although the main allegro section sounds a bit fussed over, it has requisite vigor and enthusiasm. In sum, another success, much better played and recorded than esteemed rivals like Dorati on Mercury and Markevitch on Philips.

Sym. #3: The "Polish" Sym. is the problem child, a score so drawn out and balletic (Balanchine based his full-length "Jewels" on it) that few conductors can hold it together symphonically. It doesn't help matters that so much of the music hovers around Andante instead of a vigorous Allegro, or that the harmonies are often ambiguous. Abbado takes the shadowy first movement as a processional, delicately nuanced in the phrasing but moving along. It works well, but the next movement "Alla Tedesca" sounds exactly the same; he hasn't found any contrast in tempo or mood. The third movement, which is yet another shadowy andante, sounds inward and melancholy. By now the wandering nature of the piece has won out; attention begins to wander, to. Abbado doesn't find enough earthiness in the mercurial Scherzo to salvage matters, so we might as well give in and enjoy this as ballet. Tchaikovsky wants the finale to be played "with fire," but Abbado remains at low temperature, smooth and flowing. I've been highly critical here, so let it be said that none of Abbado's Western rivals do any better. Call this attempt to interpret a sprawling ballet-symphony a middling success, with reservations.

Sym. #4: The last three symphonies are meat for every great conductor, needless to say, so Abbado had little chance of rising to the very summit. He competes with himself, in fact, given that his Decca recording of the Fourth with the Vienna Phil. ranks among his best recordings from the Seventies. A good or even very good reading won't do, and that's about all that Abbado gives us. The CSO brass suddenly begin to snarl a bit, a la Solti, and softer passages get fussed over. The first movement fails to cohere convincingly, and one wonders exactly where the interpretation is going. Is this just big-band international Tchaikovsky? On the whole, yes. The oboe solo in the Andante flows by without much individuality or expression, and you realize that this music doesn't mean much to anyone here. The Scherzo is virtuosic without being thrilling. The finale is heavy and not fast enough to raise one's blood, immediately turning tepid in the lyrical second subject. All in all, not an inspired reading. In fact, a definite miss unless you simply must hear the CSO run thorugh its paces.

Sym. #5: Although much loved, the Fifth suffers from repeating the same motive in the first and last movements, as well as repetitive development sections that hammer simple rhythmic patterns over and over. To really succeed, an interpretation must be intense, dramatic, and played with edge of the seat intensity (in a word, the way Mravinsky does it). Abbado starts out with a full, broad statement that isn't premonitory enough (it doesn't promise great things to come), but no one can doubt how detailed and beautiful the playing is. There's a lot to be said for avoiding banality in this music or hollow grandiosity. Add in the outstanding Chicago playing (thankfully less blaring in the brass), and the first movement turns into a real success. Likewise the Andante, which begins with ravishing cellos and a natural, unforced solo horn. Here Abbado moves things along rather quickly, perhaps too much so for the music to tell as expressively as it might. But again, no sentimentality allowed. The waltz Scherzo is weaker in its characterization, coming off as well played but faceless. Up to this point, I've been feeling that Abbado's reading deserves respet, which is confirmed by a sober but full-voiced finale, the place where sentimentality and false heroics lay real traps. In all, I like this Fifth and rate it higher than the Fourth. Those who prefer blood-and-thunder won't agree. This is a Fifth for those who usually avoid the work.

Sym. #6: It's as difficult to produce a truly memorable 'Pathetique' as it is to produce a truly memorable Beethoven Fifth, and yet neither work ever misfires under a good conductor. So the challenge is greatness, pure and simple. Abbado had looming over his head Reiner's acclaimed Sixth with the same CSO in Living Stereo on RCA, a classic. Let's note right off that the playing and recording here are up to Reiner's standards. Reiner was a cool customer, perhaps the greatest technicin of his day. Abbado is cool, too, but without the intensity of a master craftsman. His 'Pathetique' is too loose-limbed at the beginning; one soon realizes that as with the Fourth, he has no pressing thing to say in this music. One episode follows another beautifully, if at times cautiously (E.g., a tepid second subject in the opening movement that needs to soar). The succeeding movements don't change that impression, even though everyone concerned tries to thrill us in the Scherzo, and do. Tchaikovksy's last symphony rises and falls on its tragic finale--I want a wrenching catharsis--but Abbado has decided that pathos is the dominant feeling. He's not alone in that, so if you want less than catharsis, here is a well-played finale that I find unmemorable. In all, I'd place Abbado's Sixth a little higher than the Fourth but well shy of the Fifth.

Overall judgement: I was surprised, given its lackluster reputation, that this is often a spectacular set, full of exciting playing. Abbado has no riveting conception in the last three symphonies, and in fact rises to his best in the First and Second. For overall conviction, I'd buy the Temirkanov set on RCA, but Abbado is more convincing to me than Karajan, and better in the early works than Bernstein. Experienced collectors will already have multiple favorites among the individual suymphonies and won't want a complete set. For them, Abbado's "Winter Dreams" is the overlooked gem.

Average customer rating:

amazing 4th symphony
Cheap and average

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000013SL
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Andante Sostenuto - Allegro Vivo
Andante Marziale Quasi Moderato
Allegro Molto Vivace
Finale: Moderato Assai - Presto
Andante Sostenuto - Moderato Con Anima
Andantino In Modo Di Canzona
Scherzo: Pizzicato Ostinato - Allegro
Finale: Allegro Con Fuoco

Customer Reviews:

amazing 4th symphony.......2003-10-11

This isn't an average recording and don't look at the cheap price...

especially, the performance of Fourth Symphony is very good...

with Antoni Wit's 5th Symphony recording (released on Naxos again) this recording is one of the best Tchaikovsky recording on Naxos.

Recommended...

Cheap and average.......2000-10-01

Typical of the NAXOS name, I found this CD to be price worthy and also average. The notes inside aren't exceptional but they get you by on enough information. The recording quality is that of a typical CD. No fuzzy background garbage. The music itself is great. The 4th symphony is famous enough and is enjoyable. Very pessimistic in mood except the third movement which is some fun plucking on the strings. The 2nd symphony is better though. The 2nd movement is a nice march like tune that really peps you up so to speak. The fourth movement is similar in style to that of the 4th movement of the 4th symphony. One theme played quite a few different ways and eventually reaching a climax. The 2nd symphony uses quite a few folk tunes from Ukraine (little Russia). Overall the CD is good. I recommend adding this to your Tchaikovsky collection. And if you don't have one, this is a nice place to start.

Average customer rating:

nice but same old stuff

Relaxing With The Classics

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B00000JR06
Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Le Rondeau
'The Four Seasons': Allegro - 'The Spring'
Canon In D Major
'Water Music': Alla Hornpipe
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - Bach
Air For The 'G' String - Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.5: Allegro - Bach
Adagio For Strings And Organ
'Solomon': Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Orchestral Suite No.2: Minuet And Badinerie - Bach
Concerto For Two Violins And Orchestra: Vivace - Bach
Oboe Concerto: Adagio - Marcello
Prelude And Fugue In C Major - Bach
'Brandenburg' Concerto No.3: Allegro - Bach
'Royal Fireworks Music': La Rejouissance
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1: Intro - Tchaikovsky
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
Piano Concerto No .2: Adagio sostenuto
Symphony No.4 Italian: Into - Mendelssohn
Polovstian Dance No. 17: Excerpt Polovstian Dance No. 17
Slavonic Dance No. 1
'On The Beautiful Blue Danube': Excerpt from 'On The Beautiful Blue Danube'
'La Boheme': Che gelida manina
'Cavalleria rusticana': Intermezzo
'Aida': Triumphal March
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers - Tchaikovsky
'Pictures At An Exibition': Promenade
Prelude to 'Lohengrin'
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World': Largo
'1812' Overture: Finale - Tchaikovsky
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can
'William Tell' Overture: Finale

Customer Reviews:

nice but same old stuff.......2007-03-18

I was looking for seomthing new to listen to during massage, and I like classic music. What I realized when I listened to this and several more like it, is that it is all kind of boring. The reason I suppose is because there were only a limited number of composers in the last couple of centures, especially 17th through 19th centuries, so we've all heard it all before...

Nevertheless, this is a nice CD, very pleasant versions of classic works.

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Capriccio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JQHW
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky: the Symphonist
Second best
Much better than these reviews would have you believe
Typical Bernstein and atyical Bernstein
This is a fine recording

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ravel: Bolero / Alborada Del Gracioso. Bernstein Royal Edition
Danzon Cuban / El Salon Mexico
Bernstein Royal Edition: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4/ Francesca da Rimini
Schubert: Symphonies 8 & 9
The Royal Edition, No. 66 Of 100: Maurice Ravel

ASIN: B0000027NZ
Release Date: 1993-11-02

Tracks:

Symphony 1 In G Minor, Op 13 'Winter Daydreams': I. Dreams Of A Winter Journey, Allegro tranquillo
Symphony 1 In G Minor, Op 13 'Winter Daydreams': II. Land Of Desolation, Land Of Mists, Adagio cantabile ma non tanto
Symphony 1 In G Minor, Op 13 'Winter Daydreams': III. Scherzo. Allegro scherzando giocoso
Symphony 1 In G Minor, Op 13 'Winter Daydreams': IV. Final. Andante lugubre - Allegro moderato - Allegro maestoso - Allegro vivo
Symphony 2 In C Minor, Op 17 'Little Russian': I. Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo
Symphony 2 In C Minor, Op 17 'Little Russian': II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Symphony 2 In C Minor, Op 17 'Little Russian': III. Scherzo. Allegro molto vivace - Trio, L'istesso temo,
Symphony 2 In C Minor, Op 17 'Little Russian': IV. Finale. Moderato assai - Allegro vivo

Amazon.com

These exciting, punchy performances are colorful and very appealing. Leonard Bernstein's Tchaikovsky was widely perceived as the last word in interpretive excess, but there's nothing willful or strange here: just good clean fun and some truly lovely music. This well-filled disc will have you wondering why these symphonies are so seldom encountered in the concert hall. They are every inch the same Tchaikovsky as later masterpieces. You'll enjoy getting to know them. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Tchaikovsky: the Symphonist.......2007-04-20

Tchaikovsky's first three symphonies are somewhat under-rated; though why-I do not know: they are full of power, personality and Tchaikovsky's never-ending fund of melody. The music is also very Russian in the use of folk elements, thematic material and that sad suffering soul quality that permeates Russian art. Bernstein does a great job in unlocking the flavor on these first two symphonies: #1 "Winter Dreams" (indeed evoking the long, cold, snowy expanses of Russia; and #2 "Little Russian" which is a kind of symphonic tribute to the homeland (the opening of the forth movement sounds a bit like a main theme from the 1812 Overture).

Comparison: Karajan/BPO

Second best.......2005-12-27

The "Winterdaydreams" is my fav symphony and Bernstein is doing fine. However, the recording with the Oslo Philarmonic Orchestra is still my no 1 choise. I feel that Bernstein is not as engaged as usual here and that No. 1 is not his fav T symphony.

Much better than these reviews would have you believe.......2005-05-02

I just rediscovered these aver 25 years.

The sound is very intimate with lots of detail. You can really hear them making them music. Violins are a bit harsh at times, but lower strings are detailed and transparent. Excellent solo wind playing and exciting performances.

Worth a try, especially if these Symphonies are new to you.

Typical Bernstein and atyical Bernstein.......2004-06-29

This CD is a split decision in my view -- half typical Bernstein, half very unBernstein. Tchaikovsky's "Winter Dreams" symphony gets a sympathetic echt-Bernstein reading, which is to say powerfully done, emotionally involved with some excess. The "Little Russian" symphony is very unlike Bernstein -- fast, uninvolved, unfussy. Even boring. I found myself enjoying the 1st symphony more each time I heard it, allowing myself to get used to Lenny's heaving excesses. That 2nd symphony, however...I wonder if that was really Bernstein that recorded this? Maybe Lorin Maazel snuck in and dressed up like Lennie for that session. Irregardless of the verdict on this, the sound on this CD is very impressive and plays into Bernstein's excess very well. Fans of the maestro will probably like this. Fans of Tchaikovsky will probably like the first symphony, the second less so.

This is a fine recording.......2002-06-24

After reading many of the customer reviews of the Bernstein recordings of Tchaikovsky's symphonies, nearly all of which sharply contrast with the Amazon reviewers', one is sorely tempted to think that perhaps some people simply "have it in" for Bernstein's Tchaikovsky, and are determined to dislike it no matter what. The performances on this album of Tchaikovsky's two earliest symphonies are as fine as any other good recording of these melodic, but not great works. Bernstein puts all his energy into these performances, and he very nearly convinces you that they are every bit as good as Tchaikovsky's 4th, 5th and 6th symphonies.

Most performances of these works are nothing more than idle curiosities, as if the conductor were merely trying out a novelty, but Bernstein actually seems to take this music seriously, even though it does not contain even half of the genuine feeling that Tchaikovsky would put into his greatest works, including his last three symphonies, not to mention his concertos and ballets. The sound and orchestral playing are quite excellent; Sony's remastering makes it difficult to believe that these pieces were recorded more than thirty years ago. Perhaps it isn't 2002 stereo, but so what?

If there was any conductor that can fully bring out Tchaikovsky's romanticism, it was Leonard Bernstein, and we should be glad that he saw fit to record all of his symphonies at a time when recordings of all six of these works were still a rarity.

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2, 4-6 [Germany]
Average customer rating:
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2, 4-6 [Germany]
Frantz , and Philharmonie Der Nationen
Manufacturer: Quadromania Klassik
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00023GOPU
Release Date: 2006-05-03