Tchaikovsky's Symphonies.

[rauschwerk]

Gianandrea Noseda's cycle with the BBC Phil (download only but lossless is available) received mixed reviews, but their version of No 2 is certainly special. It was recorded before an audience at the Bridgewater Hall, and to my ears it's noticeable how Noseda coaxes a truly Russian sound from the orchestra, especially the strings. The whole finale (but especially the coda) is very exciting and I prefer this version to LSO/Abbado.

[jayne lee wilson]

I'm rather fond of No. 3. I think one just has to accept it as less symphonic. It has all the hallmarks, such as unexpected solo trombone counter-melodies (which always sound better for a little vibrato, rather as though the player has been in the bar for just a little too long), delicacy and great beauty. There is a fine Boult recording - he was of the opinion that Tchaikovsky went better if hysteria was avoided, most of AB's recordings of Tchaikovsky seem to prove this, and Markevich understands it.

Thanks to JLW for that summary of reissues - and on the subject of Melodiya reissues does anybody (I Imagine it would be JLW) know if Kondrashin's recording of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances has been well transferred anywhere? I had to buy two LPs just to be sure I always had a good copy in reserve, since I knew I would play it often.

Soviet brass is perhaps heard to better effect in Glazunov symphonies, where there is less bombast and more opportunities for cantabile playing (try Ivanov in No. 5).

I quite like hysteria with my Tchaikovsky! Go with the flow of the Moscow River, the shattering ice, the biting wind...can you really do the finale of 6 without, well, mortal fear & intensity...?

Anyway. Best reissue of Kondrashin's neverbettered Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances is the 2005 Melodiya one coupled with his equally once-for-all recording of The Bells... this is MEL CD 10 00840, with an ochre/beige picture of a horse and trap in a snowstorm on it. Haven't time to do a link right now... it's a little bright, and not as full as some Svetlanov remasters (or KK's DSCH), but far better than earlier issues.

Very fond of No.3... the 3 middle movements are very inspired melodically, and the Symphony does sound more like a suite...I wonder if people would have less trouble with it if he'd called it Suite No.5?
I do find Russian readings of Piotr Ilyich very sui generis AND a sine qua non... I think you have to hear them, or some of them, to know what he was about - that dark power & texture, extreme dynamics, the Slav accents... Western orchestras can make it sound all rather drawing-room bourgeoisie...
(That Dorati set is great BECAUSE of its extremity (as well as its virtuosity)).

[Black Swan]

Nobody has mentioned the Mavrinsky / Leningrad PO recording of 4,5 & 6. I haven't heard his mono recording, but the stereo set recorded in London by DG is still one to reckon with.

I agree I have this set. It has served me well. For the early symphonies I have the Litton Bournemouth for 1,2,3 and 4. I am a fan of the first Symphony and has always preferred Maris Jansons and the Oslo Philharmonic. I have Manfred by Chailly and the Concertgebouw.

[Alain Maréchal]

I do find Russian readings of Piotr Ilyich very sui generis AND a sine qua non... I think you have to hear them, or some of them, to know what he was about - that dark power & texture, extreme dynamics, the Slav accents... Western orchestras can make it sound all rather drawing-room bourgeoisie...

Any thoughts as to whether that sound/style is Russian or Soviet. i.e. was it the sound the composer heard? Now there's an idea - HIP Tchaikovsky. Perhaps Les Siecles or Anima Eterna will get around to it.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Any thoughts as to whether that sound/style is Russian or Soviet. i.e. was it the sound the composer heard? Now there's an idea - HIP Tchaikovsky. Perhaps Les Siecles or Anima Eterna will get around to it.

Anima eterna already has, Alain!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symhpny-Nutcracker-Anima-Eterna/dp/B000OY6ISA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367594754&sr=1-1&keywords=anima+eterna+tchaikovsky

I confess to not having heard this disc.

Mravinsky/ Leningrad are indispensable, for me, in 4-6. Jansons in Oslo was my introduction to the works and they're still very fine recordings. Pletnev is often interesting (if occasionally too mannered) and I'm fond of Rozhdestvensky on Melodiya.

The cycle currently being released by the LPO under Vladimir Jurowski is, to my ears, simply superb. Any news on Nos. 2 & 3 to complete it, I wonder?

[teamsaint]

does anybody have the VPO/ Maazel Tchaik 1 and 2.
Hope they aren't too hot, i passed up a chance of a used copy for 99p today...... !!


Edit : OH NO!!!!!!!!!!
the one copy on amazon used is £540 .!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH HHHH

don't suppose anybody will pay that...will they?

[Suffolkcoastal]

I've got a soft spot for the 3rd Symphony, especially the central movements, the main problem is the less than convincing finale, but then the 3rd is not alone in this. The one Tchaikovsky Symphony I'm not so keen on is the 5th, the finale is very weak, it is also overplayed, at least in my area, it seems that every professional orchestra that comes up my way tends to feature it. Manfred I rather coldy admired I struggle to 'get into it'. The 1st is a fine work, with a super 1st movement, the 2nd I'm very fond, of and I love the 4th (superb 1st movement) & 6th, though I find the finale of the 4th less than totally convincing.

[BBMmk2]

Hopw can any Russian be 'mannered' with Tchaikovsky, at least in Symphonies 4-6! Plus Manfred too!

HS Re "Polish". That's what i probably was thinking abnout when i started this threasd.

Do people think that Tchaikovsky's Symphonies Nos1-3, need a different approach?

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Hopw can any Russian be 'mannered' with Tchaikovsky

I suggest you listen to Pletnev's second recording of 'Winter Daydreams' on Pentatone and then you'll find out.

[HighlandDougie]

Anima eterna already has, Alain!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symhpny-Nutcracker-Anima-Eterna/dp/B000OY6ISA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367594754&sr=1-1&keywords=anima+eterna+tchaikovsky

I confess to not having heard this disc.

Very fine it is too, although don't expect the weight you get from, say, Karajan or Sanderling. But, as always with AE and J van I, wonderful textural clarity and great sound.

Strongly agree with IGI's comments on Pletnev's 1st being mannered - a major disappointment.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Strongly agree with IGI's comments on Pletnev's 1st being mannered - a major disappointment.

Yet Pletnev's recent version of No.2 is incredibly good. (Stingy playing time for a disc, though.)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have the Maazel 1 & 2. The Vienna Philharmonic horn sound in the slow movement of no. 1 is to die for.

As for the £540 price tag, I had a similar dilemma when I saw Ozawa's Alpine Symphony advertised for over £100, but held my nerve. Before long a £14 one appeared.

[teamsaint]

I have the Maazel 1 & 2. The Vienna Philharmonic horn sound in the slow movement of no. 1 is to die for.

As for the £540 price tag, I had a similar dilemma when I saw Ozawa's Alpine Symphony advertised for over £100, but held my nerve. Before long a £14 one appeared.

Thanks EA. If I really thought I would get even half of the £540 myself back to Yeovil first thing !!
so anybody in south west somerset, if you want a good 'un, get yourself to the charity shops at the bottom end of Yeovil. Might be PDSA, really can't remember.....

[PJPJ]

does anybody have the VPO/ Maazel Tchaik 1 and 2.
Hope they aren't too hot, i passed up a chance of a used copy for 99p today...... !!

If you want the whole cycle the Decca box isn't too expensive used

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-Symphonies-Nos-Pyotr-Ilyich/dp/B00000E4OL/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1367603564&sr=8-4&keywords=maazel+tchaikovsky+decca

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No. 2 was the first Tchaikovsky symphony i really took to.
No. 6 was the first I heard in a live concert, but I was too young to appreciate what a great work it is.
No. 5 was the first i got to know on my parents' 78's.