BaL 14.01.17 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 4 in F minor

[mikealdren]

I'd personally prefer the the return of "Interpretations on Record" where the time-slot was longer and the reviewer had a much wider range of recordings to discuss without having to bother with the "available" tag.

A common view on this forum and one I agree with wholeheartedly, even all these years later, the programme is remembered so fondly.

Perhaps the answer is to extend the review section of BaL to an hour or so and allow reviewers to include occasional deleted versions. If they're listening (which I doubt), that may even prompt recording companies to reissue some missing favourites

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I only list recordings that are readily available in the UK. Yes, it's often possible to find deleted recordings or imports, but when one of these is recommended as a BaL choice, these are snapped up in an instant, so realistically are unavailable.

[silvestrione]

Incidently, i don't think it helps to think much about 'Fate' etc. Seems to me to be about joy in life, exuberance...
The fanfares are exhilarating, and as for the warmth of the reply to them in the strings!...

Then there is wit and humour, a relaxed feel, in the delightful second subject of the first movement.

The Scherzo is just exhilarating from beginning to end, a magical ballet score...

What nonsense in that first paragraph! Just listened again (VPO with Karajan), and the first movement was terrifying, and the appearance of the second subject each time a kind of enigmatic relief, as if in a ballet a mysterious character had entered, who you couldn't quite sum up yet....

[HighlandDougie]

Did you know there were two CAO Haitink No4s. The first one 6500012, to my knowledge, has never appeared on CD. As with the No 6 of similar vintage, 6500081, mid to late 60s. The later ones were part of a cycle with Manfred in the 70s.

The Tower Records Vintage Collection, Volume 16, of Haitink conducting the COA in the six Tchaikovsky Symphonies plus Manfred and other bits and pieces contains both the earlier 4th (rec. 1969) and the 6th (rec. 1970). Not, alas, readily available in the UK but obtainable with a little effort (although I admit to buying my copy in Hong Kong a couple of years ago).

[cloughie]

The Tower Records Vintage Collection, Volume 16, of Haitink conducting the COA in the six Tchaikovsky Symphonies plus Manfred and other bits and pieces contains both the earlier 4th (rec. 1969) and the 6th (rec. 1970). Not, alas, readily available in the UK but obtainable with a little effort (although I admit to buying my copy in Hong Kong a couple of years ago).

Haitink box sets have been very random. A 60s/early 70s set with Dvorak 7/8, Schubert 5/8/9, Tchaik 6/8 and a few other cuts - maybe his early Mahler 1 would be very attractive.

[Alison]

Thanks lads. The early Haitink LPs of the Fourth and Sixth are in the family vaults though not listened to for many a year. I'm not sure that the later Pathetique represented an obvious gain, the recorded sound almost too ample and sumptuous and the performance not readily catching fire. I've rarely heard such a grim Scherzo as in the later account.

Must dig these out again!

[mikealdren]

Haitink box sets have been very random. A 60s/early 70s set with Dvorak 7/8, Schubert 5/8/9, Tchaik 6/8 and a few other cuts - maybe his early Mahler 1 would be very attractive.

I got to know Mahler 1 from his earliest recording and I remained fond of it for years, somehow his later (1970 ish?) version never made the same impression. Must listen to it again. (only LP though)
Mike

[Nick Armstrong]

Incidently, i don't think it helps to think much about 'Fate' etc. Seems to me to be about joy in life, exuberance...

What nonsense in that first paragraph! Just listened again (VPO with Karajan), and the first movement was terrifying, and the appearance of the second subject each time a kind of enigmatic relief, as if in a ballet a mysterious character had entered, who you couldn't quite sum up yet....

Talking with yourself again, silvie? (Mind you, sometimes it's the only way of getting decent conversation!)

Since my earliest days of being into music, and still today, I've found that the only way I can take some Tchaikovsky seriously is if the performance makes it a terrifying white-knuckle ride. That's why the classic DG Mravinsky/Leningrad Phil box did it and does it for me. (Still don't like half of No 5 though).

Made it into the land of the living too late to start Rob Cowan's survey, so it'll be a catch-up job at some stage. I'd be surprised if he can inspire me to part with any cash though!

[visualnickmos]

I got to know Mahler 1 from his earliest recording and I remained fond of it for years, somehow his later (1970 ish?) version never made the same impression. Must listen to it again. (only LP though)
Mike

I think this is the one from his Philips complete Mahler symphonies; a set that is to my mind, a hit-and-miss package. Unfortunately this Mahler 1 is a 'miss!'

[Beef Oven!]

I had no intention of adding to my collection, but so far this morning I’ve ordered Lenny’s NYP on Sony and his DG release, too. I adore Tchaikovsky, always have, and Lenny is one of my all time favourite musicians.

There are certainly a lot of amazing recordings being aired on this show this morning - I’d be happy with any of them!

[BBMmk2]

Might have a go at Lenny's recording but why oh why not Lorin Maazel's with the VPO on Decca? I love that recording and the older ones he mentioned too.

Years ago during the Brighton Festival, it must've been, I saw Rozhdestvensky and the BBC SO do Prok's 5th and Tchaik's 4th at The dome. Quite a concert that, imo.

[Beef Oven!]

The Fischer sounded very good indeed, albeit lacking a slight amount of drama IMV. I shall resist. When I looked on Amazon there was a pre-loved copy going for £3.99 (Hybrid SACD).

[BBMmk2]

The Fischer sounded very good indeed, albeit lacking a slight amount of drama IMV. I shall resist. When I looked on Amazon there was a pre-loved copy going for £3.99 (Hybrid SACD).

No Mravinsky white heat, perhaps?

[Barbirollians]

Ivan Fischer as one might have expected(as he is clearly one of RC's favourite conductors ) . Interestingly, though , I have just looked up the Gramophone review of that recording to find it was by RC and in which he states

"Mravinsky remains my first stereo port of call for the symphony, but Fischer has enough that is meaningful and individual to justify a secure place among top digital recommendations."

I wonder what changed his mind - was it an instruction to choose a modern recording if at all possible ?

[BBMmk2]

I think his brief was exactly that, Barbs. You could tell that he was hankering after the older ones, Bernstein, Dorati, Mravinsky. Which he mentioned at the end.