BaL 4.06.16 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, ‘Pathétique’

[Barbirollians]

I had forgotten how good the Barbirolli/Halle account once on Pye and then on EMI Phoenixa was . Strings perhaps not ideally sweet and the recording occasionally distorts in climaxes but terrific sweep and a finale that has great cumulative tension .

[underthecountertenor]

Coming very late to this, so apologies, but: does ANYONE else have the LSO/Horenstein EMI recording? One of my first classical LP purchases (by then, in the late 70s, on the MfP label). Haven't played it in years, but it always struck me as pretty robust.

[visualnickmos]

Coming very late to this, so apologies, but: does ANYONE else have the LSO/Horenstein EMI recording? One of my first classical LP purchases (by then, in the late 70s, on the MfP label). Haven't played it in years, but it always struck me as pretty robust.

Just a few days ago I spun this CD, immediately followed by Barbirolli's. Interesting experiment; To my ears, at least - two quite different but naturally valid and thrilling accounts.
If I was forced to take one only, it would be Barbirolli's - for sheer clarity, detail, and the impending sense of doom that tears into one, in the finale.... but then I am a Barbirolli 'fan'.

[underthecountertenor]

Just a few days ago I spun this CD, immediately followed by Barbirolli's. Interesting experiment; To my ears, at least - two quite different but naturally valid and thrilling accounts.
If I was forced to take one only, it would be Barbirolli's - for sheer clarity, detail, and the impending sense of doom that tears into one, in the finale.... but then I am a Barbirolli 'fan'.

Thanks, visualnickmos - I'm glad to read your endorsement of my youthful enthusiasm for the Horenstein. I agree with you about the Barbirolli though (I too am a fan!)

[Goon525]

Tchaikovsky Symphony 6

The Currentzis Pathetique was for me a highlight of last year, gripping interpretation, and an exciting (if not wholly natural) recording, with the start of the development loud enough to cause a heart attack. Maybe not a BaL winner, but a thrilling record.

The Berlin Phil have now issued a recording with K Petrenko, and I’ve just had a listen. (Both of these are available via Qobuz in 24/96.) This is a great orchestra playing its heart out for its new conductor, and I’m sure many would consider it a safer library recommendation. It’s also very well recorded. But it didn’t hold my attention quite as well as Currentzis - and is 'safer' what you’re looking for in this symphony?

I’d be very interested to know what anyone else who has listened to both of these thinks.

[Alison]

I was disappointed in the Berlin version, too plush and with surprisingly little depth of feeling.

For all the virtuosity the end of (iii) is hardly heart stopping.

Currentzis far more involving from the very opening of the work.

A key passage for me is in the first movement where the tempo picks up and the flute introduces a beguiling set of melodies from the woodwind. The Berliners are bland here with no interest in the phrasing.

[Goon525]

Many thanks, Alison. I think I rate the BPO playing a little higher, but the overall conclusion may not be that different.

[Barbirollians]

I think that the Philharmonia/Mackerras is exceptionally fine when one looks at relatively recent recordings.

[BBMmk2]

I haven’t listened to those recordings. So I can’t say. I doubt if I ever will listen to The Kiril Petrenko, I never do get these recordings from Berlin. I think though, you can’t go far wrong with Semyon Bychkov. He holds sway with me.

[Goon525]

While I’m aware there are many fine historic performances from (say) Mravinsky onwards (eg the first Pletnev on Virgin), I’m really interested in hearing from people who’ve managed to hear both these recent issues.

[Barbirollians]

While I’m aware there are many fine historic performances from (say) Mravinsky onwards (eg the first Pletnev on Virgin), I’m really interested in hearing from people who’ve managed to hear both these recent issues.

In which case perhaps a moderator can amend the thread title adding Currentzis or K Petrenko .

I have heard neither save for excerpts and neither had me rushing to order.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In which case perhaps a moderator can amend the thread title adding Currentzis or K Petrenko .

.

Moderators would only normally do this at the request of the original poster, or to merge with another thread on the same topic, such as BaL.

[Pulcinella]

Moderators would only normally do this at the request of the original poster, or to merge with another thread on the same topic, such as BaL.

But perhaps a moderator could move Barbirollians' own thread on the Dvorak Violin concerto to Recordings in Discussion, where I think it would more naturally fit than in the main Record Review section? And then delete this message!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

But perhaps a moderator could move Barbirollians' own thread on the Dvorak Violin concerto to Recordings in Discussion, where I think it would more naturally fit than in the main Record Review section? And then delete this message!

There’s a strong case for doing this for the many threads that are not related to Record Review itself. Definitely one for consideration.

[Alison]

I think that the Philharmonia/Mackerras is exceptionally fine when one looks at relatively recent recordings.

Yes I totally agree; all the orchestral excellence you could wish for with the adrenalin of a live recording.

All sections of the orchestra excel under inspirational direction.