Tchaikovsky: Symphony 5/Rococo Variations

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Yevgeny Mravinsky

2. Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra with Svyatoslav Knushevitsky
Conducted by A. Gauk

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 'Winter Dreams': Dreams Of A Winter Journey
Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 'Winter Dreams': Land Of Desolation, Land Of Mists
Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 'Winter Dreams': Scherzo, Allegro scherzando giocoso
Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 'Winter Dreams': Finale. Andante lugubre - Allegro moderato - Allegro maestoso
Eugene Onegin: Polonaise
Eugene Onegin: Waltz
Slavic March, Op.31: Moderato in modo di marcia funebre

Tracks:

Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17 'Little Russian': Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo
Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17 'Little Russian': Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17 'Little Russian': Scherzo, Allegro molto vivace - Trio. L'istesso tempo
Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17 'Little Russian': Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Presto
Ouverture solennelle '1812', Op.49: Largo - Andante - Allegro giusto - Largo - Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 in D major, Op.29 'Polish': Introduzione e Allegro. Moderato assai (Tempo di marcia funebre)
Symphony No.3 in D major, Op.29 'Polish': Alla tadesca. Allegro moderato e semplice
Symphony No.3 in D major, Op.29 'Polish': Andante elegiaco
Symphony No.3 in D major, Op.29 'Polish': Scherzo. Allegro vivo
Symphony No.3 in D major, Op.29 'Polish': Finale. Allegro con fuoco (Tempo di Polacca)
Capriccio italien, Op.45: Andante un poco rubato - Allegro moderato - Andante - Allegro moderato - Presto - Piu presto - Prestissimo

Tracks:

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. Pizzacato ostinato - Allegro
Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36: Finale. Allegro con fuoco
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Moderato quasi Andante - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Tema. Moderato semplice - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione I. Tempo del Tema - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione II. Tempo del Tema - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione III. Andante sostenuto - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione IV. Andante grazioso - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione V. Allegro moderato - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione VI. Andante - Mstislav Rostropovich
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione VII. Allegro vivo - Mstislav Rostropovich

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
Serenade for String Orchestra in C major, Op.48: Pezzo in forma di sonatina
Serenade for String Orchestra in C major, Op.48: Valse. Moderato. Tempo di Valse
Serenade for String Orchestra in C major, Op.48: Elegia. Larghetto elegiaco
Serenade for String Orchestra in C major, Op.48: Finale. Tema russo. Andante - Allegro con spirito

Tracks:

Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 'Pathetique': Adagio - Allegro non troppo - Andante - Moderato mosso - Andante - Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Andante come prima - Andante mosso
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 'Pathetique': Allegro con grazia
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 'Pathetique': Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 'Pathetique': Finale. Adagio lamentoso - Andante
Romeo And Juliet: Andante non tanto quasi Moderato - Allegro - Molto meno mosso - Allegro giusto - Moderato assai

Tracks:

The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66a (Suite): 1. Introduction. La Fee des lilas. Allegro vivo - Andantino - Andante sostenuto
The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66a (Suite): 2. Adagio. Pas d'action. Andante - Adagio maestoso - Tempo I - Molto sostenuto, quasi piu Andante - Tempo I
The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66a (Suite): 3. Pas de caractere. Le Chat botte et la Chatte blanche. Allegro moderatoK
The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66a (Suite): 4. Panorama. Andantino
The Sleeping Beauty, Op.66a (Suite): 5. Valse Allegro (Tempo di Valse)
Swan Lake (Suite): 1. Scene. Moderato - Michel Schwalbe
Swan Lake (Suite): 2. Valse. Tempo di Valse - Michel Schwalbe
Swan Lake (Suite): 3. Danse des cygnes. Allegro moderato - Michel Schwalbe
Swan Lake (Suite): 4. Scene. Andante - Andante non troppo - Tempo I - Michel Schwalbe
Swan Lake (Suite): 5. Danse hongroise (Czardas). Moderato assai - Allegro moderato - Vivace - Michel Schwalbe
Swan Lake (Suite): 6. Scene finale. Allegro agitato - Alla breve. Moderato e maestoso - Michel Schwalbe
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 1. Ouverture miniature. Allegro giusto
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 2a. Danses caracteristiques: Marche. Temppo di marcia viva
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 2b. Danses caracteristiques: Danse de la Fee Dragee. Andante non troppo
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 2c. Danses caracteristiques: Danse russe Trepak. Tempo di Trepak, molto vivace
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 2d. Danses caracteristiques: Danse arabe. Allegretto
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 2e. Danses caracteristiques: Danse chinoise. Allegro moderato
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 2f. Danses caracteristiques: Danse des mirlitons. Moderato assai
The Nutcracker, Op.71 (Suite): 3. Valse des fleurs. Tempo di Valse

Tracks:

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23: Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito - Sviatoslav Richter
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23: Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I - Sviatoslav Richter
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.1 in B flat minor, Op.23: Allegro con fuoco - Sviatoslav Richter
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: Allegro moderato - Christian Ferras
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: Canzonetta. Andante - attacca: - Christian Ferras
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op.35: Finale. Allegro vivacissimo - Christian Ferras

Customer Reviews:

Karajan is below par, with a few exceptions.......2007-05-12

It's a mystery why Karajan, a masterful conductor in so many areas, should miss the mark with an easy composer like Tchaikovsky. Mr. Leach spots the weakest recordings, such as Ferra' Violin Concerto, which is in overlit, thin sound to boot. Richter and Rostropovich give great performances, and the last three symphonies are certainly good by any standard, although the 60s analog sound definitely shows its age. Almost the only thing I would call outstanding are the ballet suites, at which Karajan was superb in both his DG and EMI sets.

Where I part with Mr. Leach is in praising the Romeo and Juliet, a mushy reading that brings out Karajan's worst tendency--he polishes every phrase to a fault and drains the work of all passion and drama. The first three symphonies are quite dull and unconvincing, but I am not so sure that the EMI cycle is any better, and it, too, suffers form problematic sound. Like Mr. Leach, I like the Fifth Sym. best form that set. So all in all, I have done little more than agree with someone else's review, but perhaps seconding the motion will be of help to some readers.

Karajan (not) at his finest.......2004-04-22

One of the greatest conductors of the 20th century, Karajan's recordings are some of the best pieces in the entire Deutsche Grammophon repertoire. This collection of Karajan Conducts Tchaikovsky is an excellent bargain - eight CDs for approximately $60 - and serves as an excellent sampling of Karajan's interpretation of Tchaikovsky's work. Unfortunately, this collection does not necessarily show Karajan at his finest.

While much of the collection is top-notch, some of the symphonies are a tad lack-luster in their execution. Indeed for Karajan fans, there are other recordings of Karajan conducting these symphonies, such as recordings of the 2nd and 5th, that you may want to try instead of the ones included in this set.

On the other hand, the ballet suites are well done, Rostropovich is excellent in the Cello Variations, and Ferras offers an interesting interpretation of the Violin Concerto. As a whole, this is a fairly solid collection that is certainly recommended for anyone whose collections have deficiencies in either Tchaikovsky or Karajan. If, however, you do already have some recordings of Karajan conducting Tchaikovsky, I would recommend skipping this set and buying individual albums where Karajan displays more of his trademark excellence.

My greatest criticism for this collection concerns its packaging. Though listed as a collectors edition, this box set is simply presented as a collection of eight discs in paper sleeves and a set of liner notes in English, German, and French inside a cardboard box.

Fair value, but Karajan can be heard better elsewhere.......2003-08-24

This is not a bad package for the price, but buyers should be aware that Karajan did some of these works better at other times. We can safely dispense with Karajan's last slackly-played VPO set, of course.

For example note that these are the 1960s recordings of the last three symphonies (unlike the DG Double set which are the 1970s recordings). For the Pathetique this means you get by common consent the best of Karajan's many recordings of this works - fine playing, with spontaneity and freshness and excellent recording for 1964.

However in the case of the Fifth, the later BPO DG recording, or even better the wonderfully spontaneous 1971 EMI Berlin recording are preferable (the latter quite superb in phenomenal sound, rivalling George Szell's 1959 version in sweep and power). This 1960s Fifth does sound rather studied in comparison.

Other caveats should include a warning about the rather brightly lit CD of the three ballet suites, and Christian Ferras' terribly schmaltzy account of the violin concerto.

All that said, this set does include Richter's aristocratic First Concerto with the Vienna SO, although why DG chose to include it rather than Lazar Berman's version is a mystery, as the latter is with the BPO to match the rest of the set and doesn't seem to be otherwise unavailable. It's also a finer account to many ears.

Other worthwhile inclusions are Karajan's Winter Daydreams symphony (No 1), although enthusiasts for this work should also sample Michael Tilson Thomas' CD with the Boston SO, also on DG. Similarly Rostropovich's account of the Rococo Variations is a classic, and the Romeo and Juliet included here (never before on CD as far as I can tell) is very fine, with many imaginative touches. This Marche Slave is also one of the finest ever, full of power and brooding intensity.

All in all a decent box, but true Karafans may need to pick up other CDs to complete the full Tchaikovskian picture.

Fantastic!.......2001-10-18

Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic! Fantastic!
BUY IT NOW!

von karajan truly conducts the master.......2001-08-04

I'd been a fan of "the maestro's" style of conducting the B.P.O. since high school when I stumbled upon Time/Life's Beethoven Bi-centennial collection. The power & majesty brought to Beethoven's complete works were unforgetable. When I happened upon a collection of Tchaikovsky symphonies,concertos,&suites I was compelled to take the plunge. It may be pricey to some who may already have some of these in one version or another. But it truly couldn't be a more complete collection of melody,romance,grace,&total understanding of Tchaikovsky's work. I can't call this eight disc collection any thing if not priceless. A must for anyone who understands the sensual pleasure derived from properly executed classical orchestration.

The Life and Works of Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

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A fascinating look at a tortured genius

The Life and Works of Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Antoni Wit , Gerhard Markson , Kenneth Jean , Michael Halasz , Ondrej Lenard , Philippe Entremont , Stefan Sanderling , CSSR State Philharmonic Orchestra , National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland , National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television , National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine , Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra , Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra , Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra , Wiener Kammerorchester , Bernd Glemser , Oxana Yablonskaya , Takako Nishizaki , and Vladimir Grishko
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Brahms: Life & Works
Life & Works of Verdi
The Life and Works of Franz Schubert
The Life and Works of Antonín Dvorák, Narration with Musical Excerpts
Life & Works

ASIN: B0000669V2
Release Date: 2002-07-16

Tracks:

Tchaikovsky In Early Childhood
Music: Glinka: Overature To A Life For The Tsar
Enforced Separation From His Mother
Music: Tchaikovsky: Dumka, Op. 59
Death Of His Mother
Music: Reverie Du Soir
Early Manhood: The Spendthrift Civil Servant
Music: Minuet From Mozartina
Dismissive Opinions Of Other Composers
Music: The Storm
Journey To A Breakdown
Music: First Symphony
Abortive Engagement
The Advent Of Balakirev
Music: Romeo And Juliet
Travels And A Wounded Friendship
Music: First Piano Concerto

Tracks:

Reforming The Ballet
Music: The Rose Adagio From The Sleeping Beauty
Bizet's Carmen Has A Major Effect On Tchaikovsky's Music
Music: Francesca Da Rimini
A Compositional Paradox
Music: Rococo Variations
The Struggle Of Despair And Hope: He Decides To Marry
Music: The Tempest
The Advent Of Nadezhda Von Meck
Music: The Sleeping Beauty Waltz
The Disastrous Road To Matrimony
Music: Romeo And Juliet
Marriage, Trauma, And A Fairy Tale Annuity
Letter To Mme Von Meck
Music: Romeo And Juliet

Tracks:

Recorvery And Creativity
Music: Fourth Symphony
The Creation Of His Favorite Opera
Music: Lensky's Aria From Eugene Onegin
The Return To Compositional Health
Music: Violin Concerto In D
He Experiences Distressing Relapses
Music: Capriccio Italien
Psychological Disturbances And A Long Fallow Period
Music: Piano Trio In A Minor
Sufferings For Mme Von Meck; He Decides To Settle Down
Music: Manfred Symphony
Conducting Tours And Domestic Bliss
Music: Fifth Symphony
More Conducting Tours, And A Working Holiday In Italy
Music: Souvenir De Florence

Tracks:

The Rift With Mme Von Meck
Music: Sixth Symphony (Second Movement)
His Obsession With 'Bob' Davydov; Adventures In America
Music: Fifth Symphony
Further American Adventures
A Trip To Niagara
Music: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker)
A Darker Episode
Music: Voyevode
Portrait Of A Conductor
A Hero's Return
Music: Sixth Symphony
The Mystery Surrounding His Death
Music: First Piano Concerto

Customer Reviews:

A fascinating look at a tortured genius.......2002-08-21

Naxos continues to do a wonderful job with its "Life and Works" series. Quite some time ago, we had a Life/Works of Mozart, one of Chopin and then two more, Liszt and Beethoven. he latter are even better packaged than are the earlier sets, with a thick booklet that offers us essays on the historical background, the position of the composer in his time, a look at the major works, a listening plan, recommended readings, personalities, a calendar of the artist's life, a glossary, and a discography. This booklet is worth the price of the set alone.

Now we have two more entries in this amazing series, again written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann: "Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky" (8.558036-39) with a playing time of 4 hrs. 5 min. and "Johann Sebastian Bach" (8.558051-54) with a playing time of 4 hrs. 34 minutes. (Please see my comments on the Bach set on its webpage.)

Was there ever a sadder composer than Tchaikovsky? Siepmann practically introduces us to the child in his cradle and covers his 53 or so years of torment over his music, his sexuality, his impossibly hopeless marriage his strange relationship with Mme von Meck, and above all his music.

Tracks:

Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Adagio - Allegro molto - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Largo - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Scherzo (Molto vivace) - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Allegro con fuoco - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Carnival Overture. Op. 92 - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No.9 in E Minor, Op.95 'From The New World': Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66 - DVORAK/TCHAIKOVSKY

Tracks:

Allegro - Antonin Dvorak
Adagio ma non troppo - Antonin Dvorak
Finale(Allegro moderato) - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Introduction - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Variantion II - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Variantion III - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Variation IV - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Variation V - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Variation VI - Antonin Dvorak
Variations on a Rococo Theme Op.33: Variation VII - Antonin Dvorak

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Ultimate Classic Performances

Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000085RTK
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.5 - Mravinsky, Variations on Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra Op.33 - Rozhdestvensky, Rostropovich

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Tchaikovsky - Symphony No.5 - Mravinsky, Variations on Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra Op.33 - Rozhdestvensky, Rostropovich

Manufacturer: Yedang Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0002DRHH4

Product Description

TCHAIKOVSKY, PYOTR (1840-1893) Symphony No. 5 in e minor, Op. 64 I. Andante - Allegro con anima II. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza III. Valse: Allegro moderato IV. Finale: Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace Evgeny Mravinsky, conductor Leningrad Philarmonic Symphony Orchestra Recording: November 18, 1982 Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 33 Mstislav Rostropovich, Cello Gennady Rozhdestvensky, conductor Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra Recording: 1963 Total time 59:53 STEREO

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Tchaikovsky for Relaxation

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Rachmaninoff for Relaxation
Chopin For Relaxation
Beethoven for Relaxation
Piano for Relaxation
Debussy for Relaxation

ASIN: B00004KH7J
Release Date: 2000-03-07

Tracks:

Serenade In C For String Orchestra, Op. 48 - III. Elegy: Larghetto elegiaco
The Seasons, Op. 37b: No. 5 - May: Bright Nights
The Children's Album, Op. 39: No. 1 : Morning Prayer
The Children's Album, Op. 39: No. 4 : Mama
The Children's Album, Op. 39: No. 21 : Sweet Dreams
The Children's Album, Op. 39: No. 23 : The Organ-Grinder's Song
The Nutcracker, Op. 71: Act II - Coffee : Arabian Dance
The Nutcracker, Op. 71: Act II - Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op. 33 : Variation III
Romance In F, Op. 51 No. 5
Piano Concerto No. 1 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 23 - II : Andantino simplice
Swan Lake, Op. 20: Act 1 - Pas de trois : Intrada: Allegro
Swan Lake, Op. 20: Act 1 - Pas de trois : Andante sostenuto
Symphony No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 13 'Winter Dreams' - II : Adagio cantabile
Symphony No. 6 In B Minor, Op. 74 'Pathetique' - II : Allegro con grazia
String Quartet No. 1 In D, Op. 11 - II : Andante cantabile
Suite No. 4 In G. Op. 61 'Mozartiana' : III : Preghiera

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Tchaikovsky's Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005YRKN
Release Date: 2000-07-10

Abendroth Conducts Masterworks of the Romantic Era

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Abendroth's Musical Abendland

Abendroth Conducts Masterworks of the Romantic Era

Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Brahms: Symphony No.1 / Haydn Variations

ASIN: B00000G507
Release Date: 1999-01-19

Tracks:

Wesendonck Lieder: Der Engel
Wesendonck Lieder: Stehe still!
Wesendonck Lieder: Im Treibhaus
Wesendonck Lieder: Schmerzen
Wesendonck Lieder: Traume
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor Op. 120: Ziemlich langsam - Lebhaft
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor Op. 120: Romanze, Ziemlich langsam
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor Op. 120: Scherzo - Trio. Lebhaft
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor Op. 120: Langsam - Lebhaft
Variations On A Rococo Theme In A, Op. 33.: Moderato quasi Andante

Tracks:

Serenade No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Allegro molto
Serenade No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Scherzo, Allegro non troppo - Trio. Poco piu moto
Serenade No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Adagio non troppo
Serenade No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Menuetto - Menuetto II - Menuetto I
Serenade No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Scherzo, Allegro
Serenade No. 1 In D Major, Op. 11: Rondo, Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 38: Andante un poco maestoso - Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 38: Larghetto (Segues)
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 38: Scherzo, Molto Vivace - Trio I. Molto piu vivace - Trio II
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major, Op. 38: Allegro animato e grazioso

Customer Reviews:

Abendroth's Musical Abendland.......2000-10-02

Hermann Abendroth (1883-1956), like his almost exact contemporary Wilhelm Furtwängler, mostly confined himself to the classics of the Austro-German tradition: Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Wagner, Brahms, and Bruckner, with occasional forays into Tschaikovsky, Reger, Mahler, and a few other, conservatively "modern," composers of the first half of the century. Unlike Furtwängler, who remained stubbornly in the public consciousness after his death (at the too-young age of sixty-eight) in 1954, Abendroth faded from public view, except outside East Germany, after the war and has only in the last decade been rediscovered by music-lovers. He came to renewed public attention a few years ago when Tahra released his readings of Bruckner 7 and 8 in a two-disc set, and since then a spate of his recordings, from the late 1920s up through the year of his death, has found its way into the catalogues. Most of these appear on Tahra (and are worth investigating); but Music & Arts has contributed with a two-disc set featuring Schumann 1 & 4, the Brahms Serenade in D Major, Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder, and Tschaikovsky's Rococco Variations. The sources are from former East German State Radio archives and date from 1951-56. Why bother? as the jaded might ask. Anyone interested in his first or in a new performance of, say, Schumann's Fourth will certainly do better by a modern, stereo recording. This is partly true, but only partly. The DDR tapes represent what was probably state-of-the-art in their day. They are a high-fidelity medium that give a sharp sound-picture and convey many subtleties. The absence of stereophonic sound should prove less of a disappointment than audiophiles would think. But it is the interpretation that makes these documents attractive. Abendroth infuses the two Schumann Symphonies with much elan: The beginning of the Fourth, for example, with its tympany roll and low groan in the orchestra, is made to prognosticate the beginning of the Brahms First; the Romanza is played, on the other hand, truly like one of Schumann's songs, an orchestral song-without-words. The opening of the First Symphony is again masterfully calculated and the propulsive main subject becomes a kind of roller-coaster ride. To invoke a cliche: "They just don't play it this way anymore." And that, more than anything else, is the reason for investigating Abendroth. He makes familiar music fresh because he approaches (or rather approached) it in a gutsy, subjective manner that has, alas, all but disappeared from contemporary music-making. This M&A set is a good place to start.