Search - Tchaikovsky, Claudio Abbado, Chicago Symphony Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1 "Winter Dreams" - The Nutcracker Suite Claudio Abbado, CSO

Taut Reading with an Exceptional Slow Movement of the Sympho

Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 02/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abbado's early Nineties performance of the Tchaikovsky 1st Symphony with the Chicago Symphony proves to be very modern and analytical in approach, but there's nothing sterile about this, as the Italian conductor also shows some real passion. The reading is notable for a great deal of transparency, and reminds me in places of his very lyrical recording of Boris Godunov. Mussorgsky - Boris Godunov / Kotscherga, Ramey, Lipovsek, Larin, Leiferkus, Langridge, Abbado Abbado is certainly miles away from the wild and wooly playing, particularly in the horns, of Stokowski's approach in Tchaikovsky! In this work, with it's too often repeated main melody, this extra-helping of care and attention and backbone helps balance the work's excessive reliance on pure lyricism. The final result is an excellent overall version. However, anyone wishing a more authentically Russian version should look to one of the Russian conductors.



The sound is quite good to excellent, thanks to Denon, and Tchaikovsky's second movement, with its long, melancholy French subtitle, comes across with tremendous punch as the music reaches its great climax. The Chicago Orchestra again reveal themselves an orchestra of tremendous distinction and balance. A top choice in a symphony normally associated with melodious elements and not genuine symphonic construction. Among the composer's less well known earlier symphonies this would be my fist choice for anyone wishing to venture off the beaten path.



The additional music from the Nutcracker is played very well, if a bit too fully for this music's ultimate expression.



Used, this represents an excellent addition to any collection, and doubly so for those who might previously have dismissed the work as a mere pretty piece of orchestration.



Many thanks again to Santa Fe for mentioning it!"