Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Antoni Wit, Polish Radio Orchestra & Chorus Katowice :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5; The Storm

Unbelievably Magnificent

Buckingham Schwartz | 05/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have so many complete sets of the Tchaikovsky Symphonies that, lately, I've been in the habit of buying whatever is LEFT out there, just because I haven't bought it yet. The competition is IMMENSE, as you can imagine, with an abundant supply of recordings of these popular orchestral works. When the opportunity came to purchase this recording (along with all the symphonies & piano concertos, plus a few overtures & rarities) for ONE PENNY, I thought I had nothing to lose. To my shock, then, I have to tell you -- having heard practically ALL other recordings available -- that to these ears Antoni Wit has met with ALL of the competition, and OUTDONE MOST of them with these magnificent recordings. Had I known what high-calibre performances these were, I would have picked them out first, before buying any of the others (Penguin Rosettes included). If there is a recording of Tchaikovsky's "The Storm" that I do not own, I would be surprised. In my opinion, then, I must say this is FAR AND AWAY the best performance the work has ever received. The 5th Symphony has many phenomenal recordings to choose from, unlike "The Storm," but this one is among the top. You cannot go wrong buying this disk. However, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND the entire Naxos set of the COMPLETE TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONIES and PIANO CONCERTOS by this conductor & orchestra (with pianist Bernd Glemser -- another name I am quite unfamiliar with but, trust me, his performances of the old blockbusters is top-of-the-line, with perhaps the best ever performances of the rarer works, "Andante & Finale" and the Concert Fantasy.) You won't be disappointed!"

A great recording from an unexpected source

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 11/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Antoni Wit (born 1944) may not be a big name in the world of great conductors, with the fame of Simon Rattle, Seiji Ozawa, Claudio Abbado, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, or James Levine, in the current time, but he has led some excellent recordings for Naxos: not least this Tchaikovsky Symphony 5, and other recordings of Symphony 3 and 6; Piano Concertos 1,2,and 3 with Bernd Glemser.



You might not expect to find Tchaikovsky's most popular, oft recorded symphony to get a great recording from a Polish orchestra with an underrated conductor, but here it is. I listened to this disc earlier today, and must put it in the ranks of the great recordings of Tchaikovsky 5: Bernstein (Sony), Ormandy (Sony), Ozawa/Berlin (DG), and Bohm/London (DG).

Wit sets perfect tempos, and the Polish National Radio Orchestra plays with a tonal richness which is most appealing and really highlights the textures of Tchaikovsky's music.



II, the famous "Andante cantabile" is touching and sensitive in Wit's hands without becoming maudlin or overblown; III is the usual Tchaikovsky waltz, played well and without affectation; and IV is really exciting without going "over the top" as do some recordings. The coda is really exciting with power to spare in the closing measures.



Read my comments on Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 3 in D Major, "Polish" by Wit/Polish National radio orchestra (Naxos), and many of my same comments apply to Wit's Tchaikovsky 5.



The tone poem "The Storm" also gets a committed, atmospheric performance. But, the important thing with this release is the Symphony, and I'd recommend it, even if the discmate were a total dud.



American Record Guide's critics recommended Wit's Tchaikovsky 5th in a 2001 overview, and I most heartily agree. I think you will, too."

The best among Tchaokovsky's Fifth

YIP Alex | 10/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In such a crowded field, it is not easy to stand out. This version however, is not only splendidly recorded, but the playing is equally magnificent and idiomatic. It is one of the best available, irrespective of price. Strongly recommended."