BaL 3.04.21 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5 in E minor

**mikealdren** · 03-04-21, 10:21

Composer William Mival has been submerged in recordings of Tchaikovsky's dramatic Fifth Symphony, from historic versions by Mravinsky and Karajan to recent performances by Dudamel, Gergiev and Nelsons.

Did I drift off and miss Karajan and Dudamel?

**Pulcinella** · 03-04-21, 10:21

Originally posted by cloughie View Post

We’ve not really had the French/Russian horn sound that I sometimes crave with Tchaik 5, possibly a little with Mravinsky!

Shame there's apparently no Cluytens recording then, cloughie?

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 03-04-21, 10:22

Originally posted by cloughie View Post

We’ve not really had the French/Russian horn sound that I sometimes crave with Tchaik 5, possibly a little with Mravinsky!

We had it in bucketloads when he was discussing the second movement. It’s a sound I prefer to avoid.

**cloughie** · 03-04-21, 10:33

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

Shame there's apparently no Cluytens recording then, cloughie?

The PCO Solti is a favourite of mine.

**LMcD** · 03-04-21, 11:09

Originally posted by cloughie View Post

Our Old Dad used to listen to it while the ovens were heating up!

The first child actor to be cast for the Hovis commercial couldn't ride a bike, and the second refused to have his hair cut in the required style. I shall try to remember that as I watch the last episode of 'The Terror'.

**ardcarp** · 03-04-21, 12:07

We’ve not really had the French/Russian horn sound that I sometimes crave with Tchaik 5, possibly a little with Mravinsky!

I quite like it too...in context, and the Marinsky soloist was just great I thought.

Changing the subject slightly, does anyone remember the slightly rude mnemonics for remembering the tunes in Tchaik 5?

e.g. "Once I was a virgin, now I am a whore"

or. "I've got the key to the toilet"

See if you can match them up to to themes in the 3rd movement.

**Cockney Sparrow** · 03-04-21, 12:08

Originally posted by jch48 View Post

Jansons and Oso do it for me. Even if it doesn't come out on top, it ticks my boxes and I don't need to buy another, though I may stream out of curiosity.
One of the 1st 10 CDs I bought in the 80s

Well, your favourite proves to the same as Mival's.........

**Nick Armstrong** · 03-04-21, 13:07

Originally posted by Heldenleben View Post

Sorry but I like the Hovis ad feel of the vibrato in the Horn solo of the Mravinsky...or as the guest reviewer slightly disparagingly calls it “Coronation Street”,

I’m with you, H

The reviewer clearly had it in for this recording, seeing hammers & sickles as well as hearing Corrie...

**Bryn** · 03-04-21, 13:11

Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post

I’m with you, H

The reviewer clearly had it in for this recording, seeing hammers & sickles as well as hearing Corrie...

Comment re low quality of translation noted.

**Nick Armstrong** · 03-04-21, 13:21

Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post

I’m with you, H

The reviewer clearly had it in for this recording, seeing hammers & sickles as well as hearing Corrie...

Having said that, I just heard him retain it for his ‘final run-in’ ... Personally, it’s the only version that makes sense of what I hear as the melodic banality of the final movement

**gradus** · 03-04-21, 13:57

Interesting to hear the much-praised euphonium solo in place of the usual french horn but not to my taste.

**LMcD** · 03-04-21, 15:56

Originally posted by ardcarp View Post

I quite like it too...in context, and the Marinsky soloist was just great I thought.

Changing the subject slightly, does anyone remember the slightly rude mnemonics for remembering the tunes in Tchaik 5?

e.g. "Once I was a virgin, now I am a whore"

or. "I've got the key to the toilet"

See if you can match them up to to themes in the 3rd movement.

'Once I couldn't stand it
Now I like it more and more (and more)'

**visualnickmos** · 03-04-21, 16:03

Originally posted by Heldenleben View Post

Sorry but I like the Hovis ad feel of the vibrato in the Horn solo of the Mravinsky...or as the guest reviewer slightly disparagingly calls it “Coronation Street”,

Exactly what I thought. Insulting to Corrie, as well as to Mravinsky. I love that sort of yearning - almost desperation, of the vibrato in this recording. It would sound most odd, if it came as clean, polished solo - not at all befitting of the whole.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 03-04-21, 16:22

Originally posted by visualnickmos View Post

It would sound most odd, if it came as clean, polished solo - not at all befitting of the whole.

On the contrary, the smoothness and nobility of a wobble-free French horn contrasts beautifully with the lush strings of the opening. Gergiev and Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic are superb.
I’ve just been listening to the Gergiev to get the Corrie out of my head. On rehearing the slow movement, I realised just what a master of climax Tchaikovsky was.

**visualnickmos** · 03-04-21, 16:34

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

On the contrary, the smoothness and nobility of a wobble-free French horn contrasts beautifully with the lush strings of the opening. Gergiev and Maazel with the Vienna Philharmonic are superb.
I’ve just been listening to the Gergiev to get the Corrie out of my head. On rehearing the slow movement, I realised just what a master of climax Tchaikovsky was.

Fair point. You like the contrast; I like the mud! Very Russian!