BaL 30.06.12 - Tchaikovsky's 3rd Symphony in D "Polish"

[Karafan]

I was seriously underwhelmed by poor old Boult, for whom I ordinarily have a lot of time.

In terms of interpretation, orchestral glory and magnificent sound I have to defer to my old favourite - Karajan on SACD http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-...0715177&sr=8-1
bought when DG still supported the format (the rotters!) and one could still be acquired without selling an organ!

Karafan

[Acavus]

As someone who plays the first three symphonies more often than the last three and is a huge Svetlanov fan, and spurred on by jayne lee wilson's characteristically stimulating and informative contributions, I listened to my 3 Svetlanov versions ('67, '68 and '90) and agree that the '90 is probably the best all round - sadly I only have the Warner remastering, but I find the ear soon adjusts.

Antal Dorati too turns in a fabulous and brilliantly recorded performance, but can I put in a plea for another Budapest-born Hungarian, Eugene Ormandy, who hasn't been mentioned yet? I have a two-disc set of symphonies 1-3 with Ormandy (well remastered in 2003 and readily available from Japan at a reasonable price - BVCC-38288) which I enjoy. Maybe Ormandy isn't up there with the very best, but he is well worth a listen now and again, and of course he has those Fabulous Philadelphians.

[jayne lee wilson]

As someone who plays the first three symphonies more often than the last three and is a huge Svetlanov fan, and spurred on by jayne lee wilson's characteristically stimulating and informative contributions, I listened to my 3 Svetlanov versions ('67, '68 and '90) and agree that the '90 is probably the best all round - sadly I only have the Warner remastering, but I find the ear soon adjusts.

Antal Dorati too turns in a fabulous and brilliantly recorded performance, but can I put in a plea for another Budapest-born Hungarian, Eugene Ormandy, who hasn't been mentioned yet? I have a two-disc set of symphonies 1-3 with Ormandy (well remastered in 2003 and readily available from Japan at a reasonable price - BVCC-38288) which I enjoy. Maybe Ormandy isn't up there with the very best, but he is well worth a listen now and again, and of course he has those Fabulous Philadelphians.

Thanks, Acavus, and welcome!

That Ormandy is most intriguing...

I've just noticed that the live 1990 Tokyo Svetlanov cycle has been released in Japan on the superior Exton label, for around £40 (plus customs/parcelforce if they bother...) for the 6 Symphonies and Manfred.. It appears from HMV Japan that it's CD only, but on past experience of Exton (they've done many HDCDs, SACDs and audiophile-class CDs) I'd expect them to do a great job... whether remastered or not, and I'd expect them to, this must be the best way of obtaining this now.

I'm tempted myself, but it would involve 5 duplications... hmm...

[Alison]

I love the sense of inexorable timpani capped symphonic momentum and arrival at the end of (i), almost
a match for the same point in Brahms 4.

Herbert von conveys this best, I think, in his recording.

The Haitink version brings an agreable dutch melancholy to proceedings with
vintage Concertgebouw playing.

[Petrushka]

It's a very long time indeed since this symphony last had an airing at Petrushka Towers. I have Karajan and Abbado in complete sets but am ashamed to say I've never played the 3rd from either of them. Will rectify the situation tomorrow night and Alison's advocacy persuades me to go for Karajan.

[Beef Oven]

mariss jansons & the oslo or karajan and the bpo, on my iPod & at home

[Acavus]

Thanks, Acavus, and welcome!

That Ormandy is most intriguing...

I've just noticed that the live 1990 Tokyo Svetlanov cycle has been released in Japan on the superior Exton label, for around £40 (plus customs/parcelforce if they bother...) for the 6 Symphonies and Manfred.. It appears from HMV Japan that it's CD only, but on past experience of Exton (they've done many HDCDs, SACDs and audiophile-class CDs) I'd expect them to do a great job... whether remastered or not, and I'd expect them to, this must be the best way of obtaining this now.

I'm tempted myself, but it would involve 5 duplications... hmm...

Thanks for the welcome, Jayne, and thanks for the tip.

Oh dear! I feel another Japanese order coming on, with the attendant worry whether or not it will be caught by customs - it is not the tax I mind, but the exorbitant Parcelforce handling charge. Seriously though, this Exton release sounds really interesting. There is a review on the HMV Japan website which, according to the computer-generated translation, seems to imply that it sounds even better than the Pony Canyon remastering. I think I will have to take the plunge. I do love the sound of those Russian winds and brass, and I do love Svetlanov's version of Manfred - one of my great live concert experiences!

[BBMmk2]

Ababdo done the complete Tchaik symphony canon?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Ababdo done the complete Tchaik symphony canon?

Yes.

http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-The-Symphonies-Box-Set/dp/B000I2JHJA

[Petrushka]

Yes.
http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Th.../dp/B000I2JHJA

Or this from Amazon UK and the set I have: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Claudio-Abba...0831426&sr=1-1

[Roehre]

Yes.
http://www.amazon.com/Tchaikovsky-Th.../dp/B000I2JHJA

Not as far as I can see: this is a set with more than one conductor.
I know for sure that Abbado did 2 and 5 in his DGG years (1970s recordings, of which 5 is my personal favourite performance of the work)

[Barbirollians]

I am with Karajan on the Third Symphony .

[jayne lee wilson]

Not as far as I can see: this is a set with more than one conductor.
I know for sure that Abbado did 2 and 5 in his DGG years (1970s recordings, of which 5 is my personal favourite performance of the work)

But the set in EA's link does include Symphonies 1-6 with Abbado, with Tilson-Thomas in the Manfred, then shared duties between Abbado, Tilson-Thomas and Mehta for other orchestral works. Petrushka's link gives you all Abbado - the CSO cycle with his symphonic poems and suites on Sony Classical Masters.

[jayne lee wilson]

Thanks for the welcome, Jayne, and thanks for the tip.

Oh dear! I feel another Japanese order coming on, with the attendant worry whether or not it will be caught by customs - it is not the tax I mind, but the exorbitant Parcelforce handling charge. Seriously though, this Exton release sounds really interesting. There is a review on the HMV Japan website which, according to the computer-generated translation, seems to imply that it sounds even better than the Pony Canyon remastering. I think I will have to take the plunge. I do love the sound of those Russian winds and brass, and I do love Svetlanov's version of Manfred - one of my great live concert experiences!

Where did you hear that Manfred, Acavus?

...even worse than the parcelforce fee is the dread phrase on the track and trace page:
AWAITING PRESENTATION TO CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER
- which usually remains unchanged for 5 days... so, Tokyo - Coventry, 3-4 days. Coventry Parcelforce, via customs, to Liverpool, 7-10 days. Double AARGH!

[Roehre]

But the set in EA's link does include Symphonies 1-6 with Abbado, with Tilson-Thomas in the Manfred, then shared duties between Abbado, Tilson-Thomas and Mehta for other orchestral works. Petrushka's link gives you all Abbado - the CSO cycle with his symphonic poems and suites on Sony Classical Masters.

Thanks for the correction, but that is not clear from the picture and information given through Alpensinfonie's link as far as I can see.