Search - Tchaikovsky, Solti, Cso :: Symphony 6 " Pathetique "

Solti's Chicago PATHETIQUE is fine, but some may want more R

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 11/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sir Georg Solti (1912-1997) recorded Tchaikovsky's Symphonies 4,5,and 6 in Chicago (1970s and 80s) for Decca, and earlier in his career Tchaikovsky's Symphony 2 "Little Russian" with the Paris Conservatory Orchestra, also for Decca. Solti's name doesn't spring to my mind when mentioning great Tchaikovsky recordings, but his Chicago PATHETIQUE is fine, although some listeners may want more Russian soul and flavor to the music.



Solti takes generally fast tempos and does not linger or wallow over the dramatic moments as do some conductors, for example, Bernstein in New York (DG, 1986). Solti seems a little rushed, hurried in the III, March movement, but is fine in the slower sections of I, especially the big, soaring tune which is the major part of the slower pages of the symphony. IV is dramatic but not over the top emotionally, and the needed impact is there without hitting the listener over the head. The Chicago Symphony plays well, but sometimes their strings are a little dry. However, this is a fine recording, and most listeners will be happy to have it.



There are several releases of this same recording of Solti's PATHETIQUE, and any one is recommendable, depending on your choice of disc-mates. (This disc does not have a discmate, but is the only work on this disc.)"