Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic :: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture; Marche Slav; Romeo & Juliet Overture

Emotional and expressive Tchaikovsky without being lurid

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 06/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What makes this generous (80 min.) CD welcome is that Bernstein, far from going over the top, proves himself a genuinely expressive Tchaikovsky conductor. There are no choirs or cannons in the 1812 Over.(church bells are overlaid in the finale, though), no saccharine underlining of melodies, and no faking the emotion to reach the grandstands. Bernstein was to the manner born in romantic music, so his Romeo and Juliet is exciting and heartfelt. The 1812 will feel a bit low-key to anyone who expects a circus act, but it's musically sound, in case that matters.



I'm not arguing that this CD contains any revelations, but these chestnuts are all very winning in Bernstein's hands. His Capriccio italien deserves better sound--it's a bit thin and tinny--but it dances and sings. My attraction was to the problematic tone poem, Hamlet, which Bernstein believed in eough to record a second time for DG with the Israel Phil. The classic Stokowski recording on Everest tops every critic's list, but Bernstein's sounds more natural in the lyrical sections and brings quite a few thrills in the bombastic rum-tum of this uneven work."

There are cannons in the 1812...

T. O'Brien | Washington, DC | 05/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...and the church bells are nicely done and moving. The highlight is the brass in the last round of God Save the Tsar (I think). Quality of digital download is fine.



I have a limited budget, and this was a good purchase for me because it contains five great Tchaikovsky pieces for a good price and without overlapping with other purchases I might want. I also picked up the Ballet Suites (Rostropovich, $9/49 download)."