BaL 11.04.15 - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 am
Building a Library
Marina Frolova-Walker explores the available recordings of Tchaikovsky's ballet, Swan Lake.

Tchaikovsky's evergreen ballet was created from the world of Russian folk tale and is the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The ballet was premièred by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877 and has been at the core of the ballet repertoire ever since with its tuneful score and colourful orchestrations.

Available recordings:-

Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel
Suisse Romande Orchestra, Ernest Ansermet (download)
Bolshoi Ballet (DVD)
National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Mark Ermler
USSR TV and Radio Large Symphony Orchestra Moscow, Vladimir Fedoseyev (DVD/Blu-ray)
Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre Symphony Orchestra, Victor Fedotov
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Anatole Fistoulari
Orchestra of the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theatre, St. Petersburg, Valery Gergiev
Mariinsky Ballet, Valery Gergiev (DVD/Blu-ray))
Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Alexander Ingram (DVD/Blu-ray)
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Wiener Symphoniker, John Lanchbery (DVD)
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenard
The New London Orchestra, David Lloyd-Jones (DVD/Blu-ray)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Nicolae Moldoveanu
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Valeriy Ovsyanikov (DVD/Blu-ray)
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa
Paris Opera Ballet & Paris Opera Orchestra, Vello Pähn (DVD)
Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev
London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn
Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra, Michel Quéval (DVD)
Orchestra of Moscow Classical Ballet, Pavel Salnikov (DVD)
Philharmonia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch (download)
Philadelphia Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch
Shinsei Nihon Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Sotnikov (DVD)
NBC Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski (download)
The USSR State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Evgeny Svetlanov
Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, James Tuggle (DVD/Blu-ray)
Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Dmitry Yablonsky

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A word of caution here. Many of these recording use the 1895 "Drigo" version which is still used in many performances today, despite heavy cuts and substitutions (even from other composers). By chance, the 4 versions I have (Dorati, Fistoulari, Previn and Rozhdestvensky) all use Tchaikovsky's original (and longer) version. Ansermet and Kirov versions use Drigo.

[Beef Oven!]

I've long enjoyed the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenard on Naxos. A bit underrated and ignored.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've long enjoyed the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ondrej Lenard on Naxos. A bit underrated and ignored.

Neither ignored nor underrated by me - his Manfred Symphony is one of the best on the block, too.

[Black Swan]

This is my absolute favourite Ballet. I never miss a chance to see it performed, if possible. I tend to watch the ballet on Blue Ray and haven't really listened to my pics version for some time. However, I have the Dutoit, Montreal Symphony recording which has done me well. However, I am really looking forward to this BAL.

[gurnemanz]

Surprised that the excellent 1982 John Lanchbery/Philharmonia version on a great value 6CD set from CFP is only available now as a download. It's my only version.

[Petrushka]

My all time favourite (not listed so presumably not available) is a Melodiya set from Rozhdestvensky and the USSR Radio and TV Symphony Orchestra. No one reaches the heights of tragic splendour in this work more than Rozhdestvensky. Anyone not totally allergic to that Russian brass and string sound will love it. The final pages are utterly thrilling in this recording and completely overwhelming.

It was briefly available on a Melodiya two-fer when I snapped it up. Stunning, in a word.

Just one available on Amazon here at a price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-...rozhdestvensky

This recording urgently needs re-issue!

[Flosshilde]

A word of caution here. Many of these recording use the 1895 "Drigo" version which is still used in many performances today, despite heavy cuts and substitutions (even from other composers). By chance, the 4 versions I have (Dorati, Fistoulari, Previn and Svetlanov) all use Tchaikovsky's original (and longer) version. Ansermet and Kirov versions use Drigo.

I wonder if that will be the first criterion for rejecting recordings? Or will there be two 'winners' - a complete version and a 'Drigo' version?

[silvestrione]

Just the complete ballet to be considered?
Otherwise there are famous and wonderful versions by, e.g. Rostropovitch and Karajan (with VPO).

[richardfinegold]

Just the complete ballet to be considered?
Otherwise there are famous and wonderful versions by, e.g. Rostropovitch and Karajan (with VPO).

I love Swan, but my collection has more 'Suites' than complete versions. Perhaps they should have a sub category?

[Petrushka]

Then there are 'suites' or 'highlights' discs devised by conductors or rather the record companies. I first got to know Swan Lake via the highlights LP taken from the Rozhdestvensky set. Consisting of about an hour of music it's satisfying in its own right. Monteux comes to mind for a 'highlights' CD assuming it's still to be had.

In concert, Bernard Haitink did this at a magnificent 1976 Prom which I won't forget. Laurie Watt of this parish should consider this as an LPO label CD.

[Beef Oven!]

Sweets\highlights - Karajan & Rostropovich.

[Alison]

In concert, Bernard Haitink did this at a magnificent 1976 Prom which I won't forget. Laurie Watt of this parish should consider this as an LPO label CD.

That was a performance with BBCSO, Pet.

[Petrushka]

That was a performance with BBCSO, Pet.

Oh so it was, Alison! Memory playing false again. What a fantastic performance it was though!

[Pulcinella]

Not a great favourite here, though the Bourne all-male production I saw was very impressive.

All I have in the CD department is an early BBC Music Magazine CD (volume II, No 3; MM115) of 'extended suites' from Swan Lake and Nutcracker, ROHCG, Ermler, presumably from the complete recording listed. Details give production details as 1989 Conifer Records Ltd, but copyright as 1993 BBC.