Search - Tchaikovsky, Lenard, Bratislava Radio Sym Orch :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4; Fatum

A Bargain "4th"

John O'Neill | Alpharetta, GA | 09/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So where does the budget Naxos label retire its older recordings to? Why their "budget" label Amadis (formerly "Lydian"), of course. And since Naxos CDs sell for around $7.00 the Amadis series retails for a mere $3.00!!



This is a fine recording of Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony - maybe not the best out there BUT for the price both the sound and performance are excellent. Ondrej Lenard, who has conducted other works for the Naxos label, leads the Bratlislava Radio Symphony Orchestra in a fine performance of the dramatic 4th and you know from the opening notes of the "Fate" fanfare that this is not your typical "budget" recording. The oboe in the opening of the Andantino movment is beautifully played, and the pizzicato strings in the scherzo reveals some tight playing and nice tone, again making this a very enjoyable performance. The disc also includes Tchaikovsky's tone poem "Fatum" - which is an excellent companion piece to the great "Fate"-themed 4th.



(In the mood for more "inexpensive" Tchaikovsky? Amadis has also released two CDs of the 5th and 6th ("Pathetique") symphonies conducted by Johannes Wildner with the Philharmonia Cassovia. Again, both are fine performances and at the price serve as fine introductions to the symphonies of Russia's greatest composer. Just select Amazon's Power Search and type in the Amadis label. There are over a hundred titles - most are fine performances for the money.)"