Tchaikovsky Symphony Cycles

[BBMmk2]

I have been playing Lorin Maazel's, what I think to be probably one of the best cycles in the catalogue. With the recent discussion elsewhere on here re Andrew Litton's Tchaik cycle, I was wondering about others. I also have Gergiev's too and Andris Nelsons. I thought be good to have a discussion about these great works, as I don't think we have a thread as yet?

[Alison]

The recent RLPO/Petrenko set of First, Second and Fifth symphonies is a fine addition to the catalogue.

[BBMmk2]

The recent RLPO/Petrenko set of First, Second and Fifth symphonies is a fine addition to the catalogue.

I have the Manfred of this cycle. Incidentally be good to hear about what Forum Members think about their favourites of The Manfred

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I share the view of the great Maazel cycle. It's the one by which I compare all others.

[Dave2002]

Markevitch is good too - I think he did all the numbered ones. I do agree about the Maazel set, but there are others, and some individual performances which are worth hearing.

Manfred - not sure. I think Ashkenazy and Previn did good versions.

[Bryn]

Of complete surveys from single conductors I have Litton and Jansons. I prefer the latter.

[cloughie]

I own up to 18 cycles, yes overindulgent excess
Abbado
Abravanel*
Bernstein
Dorati
Gergiev
Haitink*
Jansons*
Jarvi
Karajan
Litton*
Maazel*
Markevitch*
Mehta
Muti*
Pletnev*
Rostropovich*
Svetlanov*
Temirkanov

* inc Manfred
On the question of Manfreds - Ahronovitch most wayward but good fun. Kletzki cut but a beautiful performance. Rozhdestvensky and Svetlanov have good Russian feel!

[Beef Oven!]

Loads of bits and bobs .....

Main ones

Karajan
Gergiev
Maazel
Jansons

All good

[Ferretfancy]

I own up to 18 cycles, yes overindulgent excess
Abbado
Abravanel*
Bernstein
Dorati
Gergiev
Haitink*
Jansons*
Jarvi
Karajan
Litton*
Maazel*
Markevitch*
Mehta
Muti*
Pletnev*
Rostropovich*
Svetlanov*
Temirkanov

* inc Manfred
On the question of Manfreds - Ahronovitch most wayward but good fun. Kletzki cut but a beautiful performance. Rozhdestvensky and Svetlanov have good Russian feel!

I have the complete cycles by Jansons, Litton and not to forget Dorati on Mercury.
By and large I prefer to buy individual performances rather than sets. For example I would not want to be without the EMI Karajan Pathetique with the BPO, or Mavrinsky's wonderful 4, 5 and 6 with the Leningrad Phil.

As for Manfred, I like Pletnev with the Russian National Orchestra, but top of my pile would be the Silvestri with the Bournemouth SO, while Markevich is one conductor who could give the Polish the extra boost it needs.

[richardfinegold]

I also have several cycles. I find myself listening to Muti, partly because it's the one that I have loaded on my music server, but also because it is consistently good. I prefer different Conductors in the individual pieces

[Suffolkcoastal]

I have the Jansons set, which I enjoy. I particularly like his performance of the 5th, my least favourite of the cycle, he gives it the momentum it needs to convince. The 1st movement of the 4th is beautifully paced highlighting one of Tchaikovsky's most inspired 1st movements. I do have a few other performances scattered around & have listened to many others. The Plentnev I find preferable to Jansons in the Manfred & I like the Rostropovich recordings of the first three symphonies, the recordings of the last three are rather mannered though & often too slow.
The most electrifying performances of nos 3 & 4, was in a concert given by the Kirov Orchestra under Gianandrea Noseda's baton at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall back in 2006. I've never heard a more riveting & hair raising performance of the 4th's Scherzo before or since.

[Dave2002]

As for Manfred, I like Pletnev with the Russian National Orchestra, but top of my pile would be the Silvestri with the Bournemouth SO, while Markevich is one conductor who could give the Polish the extra boost it needs.

However, Silvestri is seriously weird in some other pieces I think including Tchaik 4. We've been round that before.

[Petrushka]

As complete sets I have Karajan, Haitink, Svetlanov and Abbado with the middle two including Manfred. I prefer to have the symphonies in individual performances.

Hoping that Jurowski gets round to completing the cycle on the LPO label as he might be the only one to rescue the 3rd from the oblivion to which I usually consign it.

[makropulos]

I've got two Svetlanov cycles (Melodyia from the 60s and the later live cycle on Canyon Classics), Dorati and Markevitch. Svetlanov's second cycle is the one I listen to most often - some electrfying performances in that. But I agree with what others have said about also wanting performances of one or two symphonies from particular conductors. Among others, Smetacek in No. 1, Mravinsky in Nos. 4-6, Matacic in Nos. 5 and 6, Szell in No. 4, Fricsay (mono) and Mackerras in No. 6, and so on.

Looking forward to exploring Bychkov's cycle with the Czech PO in due course (I certainly want to hear the Pathétique with which they've launced the series).

[Alison]

The more I hear the Mackerras 6th the more I love it. Perfect!