Search - Tchaikovsky, Pletnev, Russian National Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony Pathetique

The best since Mravinsky and a superbargain

R. J. Claster | Van Nuys, CA United States | 04/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This performance conveys the same kind and degree of passion, intensity and commitment as the famous Mravinsky DG stereo recording. Although I still prefer the Mravinsky in a some respects, namely his subtle use of rubato to highlight expressive details, his more sharply characterized second movement, and the cutting edge detail of the brass (which I think is more due to the use of a more distant perpective in the Pletnev recording than in the performances themselves), Pletnev fully matches Mravinsky in the drive and dramatic intensity he imparts to the development section of the first movement, and the third movement, in which this recording conveys the impact of the drums more clearly than with Mravinsky. At its superbudget pricepoint, plus its inclusion of items from Tchaikovsky's rarely played music for solo piano, it is truly a must have."

Tchaikovsky's 6th is amazing; this recording, lukewarm...

E Boomer | Chicago, IL USA | 10/06/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am not hasty to judge anything; this review comes after owning this recording for almost a year and listening to it several times, and listening to recordings such as Karajan's with the BPO, Muti's with the Philharmonia, and Gatti's with the Philharmonia. This recording, to my ears, pales in comparison; it is flat both sonically and artistically. This is one of the most moving pieces to me, and when I listen to this recording, I am hardly affected at all. The melodies are played very simply in a straight-forward, matter-of-fact style that just doesn't work for Tchaikovsky; this is an extremely passionate piece in which the march of the third movement needs to be played aggressively almost as much as closing of the final movement needs to be played very softly and somberly, but here the style is about as even and uniformly tuneful and lyrical throughout as one can manage with this piece.



The other recordings I own are much better recommendations than this one, dispite what Gramophone and the likes may say. To my personal tastes, I would have to say that, of those I've listened to, Karajan's recording with the Berlin Philarmonic is the best all around, while Muti's recording with the Philharmonic comes in a very close second. For a different take on the piece, if you've heard the best and love the piece, try Gatti's recording with the Philharmonia - it also features excellent recording quality."

This is THE Symphony Pathetique

Brian J. Zercher | Chicago, Illinois USA | 05/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very moving rendition of Tchaikovsky's 6th. The opening presents the music in a beautiful and somber fashion like no other rendition of this symphony. When one hears it, there is an 'oh yeah' moment when Tchaikovsky's communication is understood by the listener. WOW!"