Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64: Andante - Allegro con anima
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64: Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64: Valse, Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64: Finale, Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace
Francesca da Rimini, symphonic fantasy for orchestra in E minor, Op. 32
Muti's reading of Tchaikovsky's stunning Fifth Symphony takes a while to warm up. The first two movements act as an introduction to the material, while it is in the last two movements that the thrills take place. Rather th... more »an throwing the listener's perspective off, the conductor's approach seems to take us through the creative process. It's a true concertgoing experience. --Robert Levine« less
Muti's reading of Tchaikovsky's stunning Fifth Symphony takes a while to warm up. The first two movements act as an introduction to the material, while it is in the last two movements that the thrills take place. Rather than throwing the listener's perspective off, the conductor's approach seems to take us through the creative process. It's a true concertgoing experience. --Robert Levine
CD Reviews
An Excellent Recording at a Bargain Price!
Dace Gisclard | 07/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have several versions of both of these works by other conductors and this is one of the versions I really like. Riccardo Muti's conducting is excellent, the Philharmonia has a full-bodied sound and the sound quality is great. The Symphony #5 starts out softly and slowly but it gradually builds up and takes the listener onto a moving and powerful musical journey. I really like the Francesca Da Rimini -- it is very exciting and dramatic as well. The stirring sounds of the strings vividly convey the fury of the flames of hell and the love theme is also beautifully played. I would rank this performance of Francesca Da Rimini equal to that by Stokowski and Sian Edwards. I highly recommend this CD!"
Muti - The greatest Tchaikovsky interpreter
Robert Timmers | Atlanta, GA | 01/11/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You'll see why Muti is the greatest Tchaikovsky interpreter once you buy this CD. Tchike and Beethoven where the kings of the Romantic era and Muti is the king of Romantic conducting. You'll be swept away by the power of the 1st movement that contains Tchaikovsky's own "Fate" theme. Then you are serenaded by the most beautiful horn solo you'll ever hear in you life. And then, in the same movement, the brass restate the Fate theme with incredible power. A power that rivals Chicago's legendary brass section. I fact, all of Philadelphia's recordings that feature brass and are conducted by Muti could easily compete with any brass section that set foot on this planet if not be considered the best. So, with the premiere Tchaikovsky interpreter and one of the best brass sections ever you can't really beat this CD."
Long live taffy-pulling!
Dace Gisclard | Houston, TX USA | 08/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've heard a fair number of Tchaikovsy Fifths (Monteux, Karajan, Jansons, Ormandy, Temirkanov, Markevitch, Rostropovich, and Muti/Philharmonia). For me, this joins Monteux's at the head of the list. The "taffy-pulling" that some listeners find objectionable in this performance are the life and breath of Tchaikovsky, and Muti does it better than most. If metronomic Tchaikovsky appeals to you (why?), try Ormandy or Jansons. This is a beauty, expertly paced, warm and romantic without bathos, and the price is embarassingly low-what are you waiting for?"
A fairly routine Muti production, with a little more taffy-p
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/28/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Muti, who tends to be a strict time-beater in Beethoven and Verdi, turns colors in Tchaikovsky. He pushes and pulls the tempo around, never letting you forget that he's making expressive ahy. If he were a genius at spontaneous phrasing the way Furtwangler was, this could work, but I find his taffy-pulling in the opening of the Fifth Sym.'s frst movement annoying.
It's absurd that the Amazon reviewer extols this budget EMI recording even though he concedes that the first two movements are mostly a loss. Nothing special happens afterwards, either. The Andante cantabile drags its feet despite the lovely solo horn playing. The 5/4 waltz that follows is straightforward. The finale gets pulled around at the opening, then settles down for a good if not exceptional run to the end.
In all, I can't see this as an outstanding CD--it's Muti doing what he usually does. The best thing here is the Philadelphia Orch. recorded in excellent, clear sound."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1