Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Valery Gergiev, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 4,5 & 6

BEST 5TH THAT I'VE EVER HEARD

GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 11/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tchaikovsky's 4th 5th and 6th (Pathetic) symphonies have been part of my listening experience for many, many years--both live and recorded. This recording with Valery Gergiev and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is the best I've heard especially the fifth symphony in E minor, opus 64.



Gergiev leads a very passionate reading of these works fully exploiting their extreme dynamics The forceful climaxes are very thrilling indeed; however, they never turn harsh. Most of all, Tchaikovsky's gorgeous melodies are given prominence and are rendered beautifully--the most beautiful account that I have ever heard. Everything in this recording, to me is superb. I now see why Valery Gergiev is considered one of the world's leading conductors. This recording is sublime--I love it!



The sound of the recording, itself is fantastic! Decca has done a superb job of recording these symphonies especially my favorite, the 5th which is a live recording. It is monumental! The sound in all is fantastic. In all honesty, it's the best recorded sound that I've ever heard of these works.



If you want to hear Tchaikovsky's 4th 5th and 6th (Pathetic) symphonies played and conducted magnificently, buy this 3 disc set--it's wonderful!

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Elegant and exciting

Howard C. Batt | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone has a favorite symphony - or two or a dozen. But these probably are included in everyone's list. And, everyone has a favorite orchestra or conductor or both. I have at least ten but I didn't discover Maestro Geriev until I listened to his and the Kirov's "Nutcracker." It was so astonishingly beautiful I started my own Gergiev collection. What could be better than he and Tchaikovsky? Nothing that I can think of. What's different? It's hard not to get caught up and excited in these symphonies - no matter by which orchestra and no matter whose baton. But this one is markedly different. It's exciting, it's unrestrained but it's also elegant. It is so elegant that it has a beauty to it that I've not noticed in other performances. It's not to say the others are not good. It's to say Maestro Gergiev has a relationship with the orchestra that causes each musician to reflect Gergiev's emotions and understanding. Is it the way Tchaikovsky intended? Who knows? I can say with assurance, however, that once you listen to these performances you will return many times to be swept away once again."

A great Fifth and Sixth, plus a fine Fourth

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These live performances with the Vienna Phil. were real events, and Decca has caught them with all the vibrancy they deserve. The musicmaking reaches remarkably high standards--we aren't dropping in on anything like everyday subscription concerts. Gergiev brings out much detail in every score, and he applies individual touches in phrasing evrywhere. It takes that to create something new in these thrice-familiar works, and as a result he's achieved the best set of late Tchaikovsky in years.



But not all the readings are equal. The Fourth Sym. is a bit of a letdown, lacking the excitement and dynamism of the other two performances. It's certainly fine on its own but offers few new insights. At the other extreme, the Pathetique is stupendous, both in interpretation and recorded sound. Particularly in the hybrid SACD version, you hear amazing inner detail and real sweetness of tone, a rare thing in the digital era. The only aspect lacking is the last measure of tragedy in the finale. The Fifth is almost as good, a totally sincere reading without a shade of self-importance or exaggeration. It ranks with Mravinsky's classic DG recording as the best I've ever heard.



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