Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Capriccio Italien; Cossack Dance

David N. (ilikeallmusic) from GADSDEN, AL
Reviewed on 7/22/2015...

Here is the most highly rated reviewed "1812 Overture". All Music Guide gives this a 5.0, the highest rating! I also own the "Mercury Living Presence" version of the Overture.
Both of these are very well done although the Mercury version has a track telling the listener how the cannon fire was produced (Interesting)!! You will be happy with either version if you like "Classic" classical music - Your favorite werewolf - David N.

Explosive & Elegant reading.

Samhot | Star Land | 04/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The infamous reading of the "1812" Overture from Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is quite a treat for the lover of Tchaikovsky's famous piece. This overture is quite a grand and dramatic work, and given the nature of this piece, it was only appropriate to go to extreme lengths to incorporate spectacular effects, which would increase and accentuate the dramatic aspects of this work. Even as the gently pulsating stringed instruments issue in the Russian hymn, we already sense a dramatic and expressive intensity. Throughout the piece, you will hear bits of the French National Anthem, as that represents the French in the tale. For the explosive finale, we are treated to the first few canon shots, directly before a dramatic, beautifully overwrought descending-zigzagging progression on the Ionian. After this ends, we are treated to the second appearance of the Russian hymn: only this time, it is played much louder, and the grand, encircling striking of the bells appear as well, which add to the grandeur of the whole thing. This then gives way to the famous march. And what follows, are more explosive canon shots: before the final explosion of the canon, there is a beautiful, grandiose contrapuntal melody which takes place, and shortly after, the piece ends just as it began: on a dramatic note.



Heed the warnings listed in the sleeves: there were *real* canons used on this recording, and if this piece is played too loudly while these canon shots are fired, there is a good chance of ruining your stereo -- and your eardrums. (It's listed in the sleeve that the sound of the final round that was recorded was *so* powerful, it actually shattered some windows of the College from which the canons were recorded. It was 100-feet away.) Highly recommended."

The best 1812

Thomas P. Campbell | 06/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like thundering cannons and ear expanding bells, then this is the CD for you. I bought the original release on vinyl and it shot the arm right off the record. Telarc produces the best sound around."