BaL 11.04.15 - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake

[Barbirollians]

Another thumbs up for the Svetlanov here . Thrilling stuff

[BBMmk2]

Another thumbs up for the Svetlanov here . Thrilling stuff

Sounds like the Rusky's no a trhing or two about these great works they have! Hmmm vodka fuelled brass? :)

[Nick Armstrong]

the Rusky's no a trhing or two

Hmmm vodka fuelled brass? :)

Almost certainly!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I never noticed that one.

[teamsaint]

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

Kept this on my wish list, ( you and Ferney can't both be wrong ). Anyway, the used price finally hit rock bottom, so one turned up in the post this morning. Really very good indeed, IMO.

Thanks both.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[visualnickmos]

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

Got that too - yes, two wonderful recordings which I spied on the 'usual tax dodger' about 18 months ago for a few pence. One of the best investments I've made!!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

All that the comments on this thread show is how urgently needed is the re-issue of the 1970 Rozhdestvensky recording. The Melodiya recording is pretty good and Rozhdestvensky had this music in his blood. The brass and percussion are forwardly placed but not too much so and what fantastic drama and spectacle Rozhdestvensky imparts especially in those final pages. Thrilling just doesn't come near to describing how overwhelming it is in that recording.

Christopher Hogwood chose this version when he included it in "The Young Idea" - inspired by a suggestion from a listener that he did a programme on music inspired by swans and geese.

I mentioned earlier that I had the Fistoulari recording, but I don't think I shall ever listen to it again. It's in the 40 CD Decca Phase 4 box set, and the sound is so artificial that its extremely tiring on the ears. I switched mid-ballet to the Previn - a huge relief.

[makropulos]

I mentioned earlier that I had the Fistoulari recording, but I don't think I shall ever listen to it again. It's in the 40 CD Decca Phase 4 box set, and the sound is so artificial that its extremely tiring on the ears. I switched mid-ballet to the Previn - a huge relief.

Yes, and it's by no means Fistoulari's best recording of the work either (though it is his most complete). As well as the earlier Decca set (1952, LPO) which is somewhat cut, there's a wonderful disc of extracts (45 mins) with the Concertgebouw Orchestra from 1961, in superb early Decca stereo, which came out on Australian Eloquence 442 9032. Well worth finding.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes, and it's by no means Fistoulari's best recording of the work either (though it is his most complete). As well as the earlier Decca set (1952, LPO) which is somewhat cut . . .

I remember wanting to buy this on Decca Ace of Clubs, but had to make do with a highlights disc.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A word of warning. I've just listened to the RPO/Moldoveanu version (part of the Brilliant Classics Tchaikovsky Edition).

It is one of a handful of recordings that actually omit the most famous section of all - the swan theme that introduces Act II. You could argue that it's repeated at the end of the act, but in this instance, it isn't much help, as Act II spills over on to the next disc.

There's no excuse for this.

[umslopogaas]

A small point ... EA's list has Sawallisch with the Philadelphia Orchestra. I have a Columbia LP (SAX 2285) of him conducting the Swan Lake ballet suite with the Philharmonia, released in 1959. Presumably he re-recorded it later with the Philadelphia?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have a Columbia LP (SAX 2285) of him conducting the Swan Lake ballet suite with the Philharmonia, released in 1959. Presumably he re-recorded it later with the Philadelphia?

I think this is correct. I've checked out availability, and the Philharmonia version is available as a download, so I've added it (somewhat belatedly) to the list.