Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Russian Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Valery Polyansky

2. Romeo and Juliet, fantasy-overture for orchestra in B minor (3 versions)
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Russian Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Valery Polyansky

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...

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 5/The Tempest

Average customer rating:

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 5/The Tempest

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003F0D
Release Date: 1990-10-17

Amazon.com

Leonard Slatkin has a special affinity for Russian music, and he conducts these Tchaikovsky performances with great authority and passion. The Fifth Symphony, despite its popularity, has proved an elusive piece to record really well. The problem lies with the finale, which can sound inflated and artificial after the moody music that precedes it. Slatkin paces the music to perfection, keeping up momentum and allowing time to savor the music's many attractive details. The slow movement rises to a climax of great intensity, without a trace of false hysteria. The Tempest is a gorgeous tone poem that ought to be better known that it is. Its inclusion here adds to the disc's attractions. --David Hurwitz

Average customer rating:

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Mravinsky , and Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Manufacturer: Elatus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000095IV5
Release Date: 2006-05-19

Tracks:

Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5; March Slav; Waltz & Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

Average customer rating:

Best recording of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony out there!
EXTRAORDINARIO

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5; March Slav; Waltz & Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000057LG
Release Date: 1992-03-10

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64: 1. Andante - Allegro co anima
Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64: 2. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza - moderato con anima
Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64: 3. Valse: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 5 In E Minor, Op. 64: 4. Finale: Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace
March Slav, Op. 31
Eugene Onegin: Waltz
Eugene Onegin: Polonaise

Customer Reviews:

Best recording of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony out there!.......2004-04-24

Antal Dorati's recording of Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony is simply the best recording of this work you will ever hear. Dorati's tempos are absolutely perfect and he has a very good feeling for the Romantic urgency of this symphony, creating a performance that is exciting, romantic, and emotionally intense all at the same time. I've heard many recordings of this work and none of them come close to Dorati's. The main theme of the first movement is played at exactly the right tempo, making it very memorable and exciting. The second movement's beautiful themes are done so perfectly here that you will wonder what other recordings missed in this score. While Dorati's tempos are deliberate, they are never too fast to miss the passion of this movement like many others (including Mravinsky/Leningrad) do.The scherzo is playful and fun, but the real showcase here is the final movement. Most recordings are unable to hold the development and transition of this movement together, but Dorati succeeds masterfully where others fail. He plays it fast, but not too fast, and the excitement that he and the London SO create has to be heard to be believed. It becomes literally a rush to the finish and the final reworking of the main theme has never sounded so good as in this recording.
The sound quality is just unbelievable for a recording this old (1961). Mercury's razor sharp sound quality faithfully duplicates the concert hall experience, with the instruments sounding as if they're being played in your room (especially the brass!). The only thing that gives away that it's an older recording is the slight background hiss in the quieter parts that should not bother anyone. Otherwise the sound is as good as it gets.
The other pieces on the CD are wonderful. At first I was a bit concerned by the somewhat long running time for March Slav (10:37), but Dorati's performance had all the pyrotechnics and sound effects that this military march needs, and the result is very exciting. The excerps from Eugene Onegin are delightful, played with just the light touch they need; Dorati the ballet conductor displays his talents in these pieces.
All in all, this is the recording of Tchaikovsky's Fifth to own, even if you already own 100 recordings of it. This CD confirms Antal Dorati's reputation as the ultimate Tchaikovsky conductor.

EXTRAORDINARIO.......2000-03-30

La primera vez que escuche esta interpretación fue hace más de 25 años atrás, cuando en realidad era un niño, con mi padre, él me dijo: "Escucha es como si Peter Tchaikovsky estuviera dirigiendo la orquesta, en la noche del estreno de Carneige Hall" (El Carneige fue estrenado P.I. Tchaikovsky con la quinta sinf.). Desde entonces amé mucho ésta interpretación de Antal Dorati. Ojo que fuera del valor sentimental que tiene para mí ésta grabación, la interpretación en sí de Dorati es COLOSAL, vigorosa y con ese elemento de inspiración que raras veces se dan.

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in e, Op.64: I. Andante - Allegro Con Anima
Sym No.5 in e, Op.64: II. Andante Cantabile, Con Alcuna Licenza
Sym No.5 in e, Op.64: III. Valse. Allegro Moderato
Sym No.5 in e, Op.64: IV. Finale. Andante Maestoso - Allegro Vivace
Marche Slave, Op.31 - Georgian Festival Orch/Vato Kahi

Customer Reviews:

Complementary numbers balance this Album.......2002-12-28

Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony, produced several years after his rather depressing 4th Symphony, is a quite different work from a quite different composer.

The theme of the march that pervades and provides an underlying theme to most of the Fifth Symphony begins as depressing, but as the symphony progresses you will get the feeling that the composer has been marching to glory. The finale is particulary optimistic for a composer who had tried to commit suicide only a few years before. Well worth a listen for any Classical music fan.

The "Slave March" is a emotional roller coaster ride - intertwining melodies from Serbian folk music with such things as "God Save the King". This number is great to walk to, and provides listening enjoyment from a composer better known for other works.

Tracks:

Sym No.5, Op.64: I. Andante-Allegro con anima
Sym No.5, Op.64: II. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza-Moderato con anima
Sym No.5, Op.64: III. Valse: Allegro moderato
Sym No.5, Op.64: IV. Finale: Andante maestoso-Allegro guisto
Fant Ov 'Romeo and Juliet': Andante non tanto quasi Moderato-Allegro giusto

Customer Reviews:

Tchaikovsky masters music like no other........1999-11-16

Tchaikovsky is a glorious composer who is able to capture emotion like no other in history. He transfixes you with the brooding and almost surreal melodies. He is truly a master of his trade...

Tchaikovsky masters music lake no other........1999-11-16

Tchaikovsky is a glorious composer who is able to capture emotion like no other in history. He transfixes you with the brooding and almost surreal melodies. He is truly a master of his trade...

Weekend Classics - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5; Romeo & Juliet - Fantasy Overture

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Weekend Classics - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5; Romeo & Juliet - Fantasy Overture
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky , Leopold Stokowski , and New Philharmonia Orchestra
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E4Y0
Release Date: 1992-07-21

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5, Marche Slave [Australia]

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Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5, Marche Slave [Australia]
Verbitsky , and West Australian Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: ABC Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00006JRPX
Release Date: 2002-01-28

Tracks:

Marche Slave Op 31
No 5 Symphony In E Minor Op 64 - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Piotr-Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Ballet Excerpts; Swan Lake/Sleeping Beauty/Nutcracker

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Piotr-Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Ballet Excerpts; Swan Lake/Sleeping Beauty/Nutcracker

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002S0G
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

Introduction Et Scene
No.5 - Tempo Di Valse
No.8 - Danse Des Coupes (Tempo Di Polacca)
No.12 - Scene (Allegro)
No.13 - Danse Des Cygnes
No.13 - Danse Des 4 Petits Cygnes
No.14 - Scene Finale (Moderato)
No.15 - Allegro Giusto
Pas De Six: Intrada
Swan Lake, Op.20, Act 3: Pas De Six: Var I
Pas De Six: No.20 - Danse Hongroise
Pas De Six: Danse Russe (Numero Supplementaire)
Pas De Six: No.21 - Danse Espagnole
Pas De Six: No.22 - Danse Napolitaine
Pas De Six: No.24 - Scene (Allegro-Valse-Allegro Vivo)
No.28 - Scene (Allegro Agitato - Allegro Vivace)
No.29 - Scene Finale (Andante - Allegro Agitato - Alla Breve - Moderato E Maestoso)
Introduction Et Marche
No.6 - Valse
No.8 - Pas D'Action: Var D'Aurore