Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 "Little Russian"/Capriccio Italien

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Second Symphony, subtitled Little Russian, gets the nickname from the Ukrainian folk tunes used at various points, particularly in the finale. The Ukraine used to be called "Little Russia," though it's politically incorrect to say so now. But there's no denying that "Little Russian" sounds cuter than "Ukrainian," at least as a name for a symphony, and this amiable performance lives up to the title. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Luciano Pavarotti/London Voices
Silent Night (Stille Nacht) - The Bach Choir/Sir David Willcocks
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Once In Royal David's City - Robin Barter/David Briggs/The Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury
Ding Dong! Merrily On High - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury
Joy To The World - Joan Sutherland
Good King Wenceslas - Simon Keenlyside/Richard Suart/Stephen Cleobury/The Choir Of St John's College, Cambridge...
Wiegenlied (Brahms' Lullaby) - Renata Tebaldi
In Dulce Jubilo - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Sir David Willcocks
Christmas Oratorio: Pastoral Sinfonia - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester/Karl Munchinger
Messiah: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Chicago Symphony Chorus And Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti
Ave Maria - Kiri Te Kanawa
L'Enfance Du Christ: Shepherds' Farewell - St Anthony Singers
Mille Cherubini In Coro - Luciano Pavarotti
See Amid The Winter's Snow - Simon Preston/The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Sir David Willcocks
What Child Is This? - Anthony Way/Tom Finucane/John Scott
The First Nowell - David Briggs/The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury
O Tannenbaum - Leontyne Price
While Shepherds Watched - Simon Preston/The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Sir David Willcocks
Away In A Manger - Anthony Way/The Choir Of St Paul's Cathedral/John Scott
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - John Scott/James Blades/David Corkhill

Tracks:

Deck The Hall - Joan Sutherland/The Ambrosian Singers
The Holly And The Ivy - Jonathan Lamb/Christopher Hughes/Simon Haynes/Roland Robertson/The Choir Of King's College...
Panis Angelicus - Luciano Pavarotti/Wandsworth Boys Choir
In The Bleak Midwinter - Anthony Way/The Choir Of St Paul's Cathedral
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - John Scott/James Blades/David Corkhill
German Dance No.3, K.605: Sleigh Ride - Wiener Mozart Ensemble/Willi Boskovsky
The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Joan Sutherland/The Ambrosian Singers
Shepherds In The Fields Abiding - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Sir David Willcocks
Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle - Renata Tebaldi
I Saw Three Ships - Mark Tinkler/William Kendall/The Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge/George Guest
O Holy Night - Leontyne Price
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - David Briggs/The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury
Gesu Bambino - Luciano Pavarotti/Wandsworth Boys' Choir
Rocking - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/Sir David Willcocks
The Virgin's Slumber Song - Joan Sutherland
Child In A Manger - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College, Cambridge/John Rutter
Hosanna In Excelsis - Placido Domingo/James Lancelot/Winchester Cathedral Choir
The Nutcracker: Waltz Of The Snowflakes - Members Of The Finchley Children's Music Group
White Christmas - Kiri Te Kanawa/London Voices
The Skaters' Waltz - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Douglas Gamley
Mary's Boy Child - Kiri Te Kanawa/London Voices

Customer Reviews:

A Christmas celebration for Classical Music Lovers only.......2002-11-06

The cover of this 2 disc set features half a dozen of the great voices of our time: Pavarotti, Domingo, Joan Sutherland, Renata Tebaldi, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Leontyne Price. However, selections by these soloists comprise only 2/5 of the set, the rest being choral and orchestral works.

Nor are these fabulous voices given equal representation. Pavarotti and my personal favorite, Joan Sutherland, have four songs apiece; Price and Kanawa have three apiece; Renata Tebaldi two and only one for Placido Domingo.

However, this is basically a very good collection. The first disc is a bit on the solemn side, while the second is brighter. Pavarotti leads off the entire collection with "Adeste Fideles" and returns later on the first disc with "Mille Cherubini in Coro". His renditions of "Panis Angelicus" and "Gesu Bambino" help grace the second CD.

Joan Sutherland brightens the first disc with her "Joy To The World" and then sets the lighter mood of the second disc with "Deck The Halls" and later returns with a sprightly "Twelve Days of Christmas". She also gives us the beautiful and tender "Virgin Slumber Song". Leontyne Price gives us Schubert's "Ave Maria", "O Tannenbaum" and "O Holy Night". Kiri Te Kanawa gives us Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria", surprises us with "White Christmas" (a very beautiful & unique interpretation), and winds up the entire set with "Mary's Boy Child". Renata Tebaldi's contributions are Brahms' "Lullaby" and "Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle". Placido Domingo's sole appearance is with the dynamic "Hosanna in Excelsis" from Lloyd Weber's Requiem.

It is a splendid feast of vocal performances. However, the choral and orchestral selections have weak spots. I was especially disappointed in the Chicago Symphony & Chorus rendition of "For Unto Us a Child Is Born", and also thought that a good rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus would've worked better. The orchestral selections did have bright spots such as "Sleigh Ride" (Mozart's, not Leroy Anderson's), Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Snowflakes" from the Nutcracker, and the "Skater's Waltz".

All in all, this is a collection which belongs in your Christmas Classical collection, but can't be considered an absolute essential.

This may be a good album; the marketing ploy is shameless.......2001-11-15

I have not listened specifically to this edition, but I can tell you with near absolute certainty that this is a classic example of marketing at its most shameless. This is nothing more than a reissue of "The Greatest Christmas Show on Earth", but with a different title! (Something similar was done back in 1963, when the Harry Simeone Chorale's ever-popular 1958 LP, "Sing We Now of Christmas", was retitled and re-released as "The Little Drummer Boy"--its current CD title--, but at least the advertising there seemed slightly more honest.)

Everything on "The #1 Christmas Album" is exactly the same as on "The Greatest Christmas Show on Earth", right down to the order of the musical selections on the album. Only the cover design is different. Decca/London apparently believes that it can fool its customers into thinking that they are buying another album if they simply change the title. Of course, the album itself is reasonably good, though not on the level of most of my favorite Christmas albums, not even the now-deleted RCA Victor "Christmas Treasures", a collection culled from RCA Victor's Living Stereo series. The offense lies in the marketing gimmick,something I have never seen in all my years of avid CD buying. This is worse than all those "collections" which just rehash old material--at least each collection is a newly organized album.

Touch of angle, touch of heart.......2001-11-14

If you enjoy opera or choir, this is a must collection. The Choir of King's College probably knows the secret how to make the listener flying among thousands of Christmas candles. Pavarotti's opening is so mighty that remind people, this year, to be courageous and to believe (not limited from religious sense but the humanity perspective.) And his Mill Cherubini and Panis Angelicus can vibrate one's tear from the heart, reflecting to the tragedy and the war in 2001. As for the sopranos, this collection is a Jewel. Joan Sutherland's Deck The Hall and The Twelve Days of Christmas bring out the merry atmosphere of the season and cheer one's mood to celebrate. Also her Virgin's Slumber Song has so much beauty and grace . Kanawa's Ave Maria is so dramatic performed that perfectly drawn out the human's longing for love and protection. All the orchestra also have done a splendid job. The arrangement is perfect there is no dull moment from the beginning to the end.

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 "Little Russian"/Capriccio Italien

Average customer rating:

A solid performance, but ...
Little Russian.....Big Impression!

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 "Little Russian"/Capriccio Italien

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: Symphony 4 In F Minor Op. 36
Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74

ASIN: B000000AEF
Release Date: 1992-10-28

Tracks:

Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17 'Little Russian': I-Andante sostenuto-Allegro vivo
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17 'Little Russian': II-Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17 'Little Russian': III-Scherzo And Trio: Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17 'Little Russian': Finale: Moderato assai-Allegro vivo
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17 'Little Russian': Capriccio Italien Op.45

Amazon.com

The Second Symphony, subtitled Little Russian, gets the nickname from the Ukrainian folk tunes used at various points, particularly in the finale. The Ukraine used to be called "Little Russia," though it's politically incorrect to say so now. But there's no denying that "Little Russian" sounds cuter than "Ukrainian," at least as a name for a symphony, and this amiable performance lives up to the title. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A solid performance, but ..........2002-04-11

... no CD with less than 49 minutes of music will get more than three stars from me, no matter how good the performance. Jansons and the Oslo Phil are in top form with this recording of the infrequently performed -- and even less-often recorded -- Tchaikovsky Second. The Capriccio Italien is also a good performance. I just wish some of the recordings from the 1970s by the Moscow Symphony on the Melodya label would emerge ... now that's something to hear: Tchaikovsky played by a top-notch Russian orchestra!

Little Russian.....Big Impression!.......2000-03-31

Recorded in September 1985 at the Oslo Konserthus, this recording of the "Little Russian" Symphony rates five stars easily! It scores extremely well in terms of sound, performance, interpretation and committment. The Oslo Philharmonic was in the proces of developing into a world-class band at the time and they were extremely committed to making good music as this performance shows. Mariss Jansons shows a commendable sense of controlled excitement in this performance. He never allows the music to get out of hand, yet he keeps it moving at the same time, not too easy to bring off. The first movement has a sense of motion and controlled excitement. Tempos are well judged and the performance is very satisfying. The contribution of solo hornist Odd Ulleberg at the beginning of the movement is particularly praiseworthy. The second movement has the right "lilt' to it (thanks to excellent wind playing), with very well judged tempos throughout the whole. The scherzo is well paced, and the finale has the proper amount of excitement without sounding hysterical. The Capriccio Italien, recorded in June 1987, is also well played. All in all, a recording to enjoy!

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 - Mikhail Pletnev

Average customer rating:

Not a bad conductor
You could do worse...
More Exciting Tchaikovsky from Pletnev
This Sad Pletnev Story
Not the best around; but DEFINITELY not the worst....

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 - Mikhail Pletnev
Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Mikhail Pletnev , and Russian National Orchestra
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos, Symphony Pathetique, The Seasons, & Piano Pieces; Mikhail Pletnev/Russian National Orchestra (4 CD's)

ASIN: B000001GSB
Release Date: 2005-03-21

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: Daydreams On A Wintry Road - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: O Land Of Gloom, O Land Of Mist! - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: Scherzo: Allegro scherzando giocoso - P.I. Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 In G Minor Op.13: Finale: Andante lugubre - Allegro moderato - Allegro maestoso - Andante lugubre - Allegro vivo - P.I. Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Scherzo - Alegro molto vivace - Trio
Symphony No.2 In C Minor Op.17: Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Presto
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Andante sostenuto - Moderato con anima - Moderato assai, quasi Andante - Allegro vivo
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Andantino in modo di canzone
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Scherzo - Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro
Symphony No.4 In F Minor Op.36: Finale- Allegro con fuoco

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Introduzione e Allegro - Moderato assai (Tempo di marcia funebre) - Allegro brillante
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Alla tedesca - Allegro moderato e semplice - Trio
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Andante elegiaco
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Scherzo - Allegro vivo - Trio
Symphony No.3 In D Major Op.29: Finale - Allegro con fuoco (Tempo di Polacca)

Tracks:

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 - Moderato con anima - Andante mosso - Allegro non troppo - Tempo I
Symphony No.5 In E Minor Op.64: Valse - Allegro moderato
Symphony No.5 In E Minor Op.64: Finale - Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace - Molto vivace - Moderato assai e molto maestoso - Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No.6 In B Minor Op. 74 'Pathetique': Adagio - Allegro non troppo - Andante - Moderato mosso Allegro vivo - Andante come prima - Andante mosso
Symphony No.6 In B Minor Op. 74 'Pathetique': Allegro con grazia
Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No.6 In B Minor Op. 74 'Pathetique': Finale - Adagio lamentoso - Andante

Amazon.com

A disaster. These dull, lackluster performances demonstrate conclusively that, however interesting Mikhail Pletnev may be as a pianist, he simply does not yet know how to conduct an orchestra. How can you tell? Because as a pianist he's willful, rhapsodic, eccentric, but full of ideas and never boring. As a conductor, he's metronomic, reserved, inhibited, and simply unable to impress any interpretive character on the music at all. And despite the fact that these are recent digital recordings, they don't even sound that great. Avoid. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Not a bad conductor.......2007-05-18

Oh, please. These are terrible, yes, but Pletnev is (or can be) a wonderful conductor when he is "in the mood." For example, his Tchaikovsky Overtures (on a 3-disc Virgin set) are wonderful, colorful, musical. Same with his Prokofiev Cinderella.

I admit it is interesting to learn about Pletnev's rather flashy religious conversion. It explains a lot about his "sleepiness" at the keyboard post 1990. (For some horrific examples of this bad trait, listen to his two Chopin albums, or his Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto, or his Scarlatti Sonatas - ugh. Where's the color, drive, and music in these performances?)

It also explains strange little comments made by some reviewers about Pletnev, stuff about "his truly human humility," "his deep, unaggressive humility," that sort of thing. If the Russian Orthodox religion is THAT boring - placing a premium on "humility" and "nonaggression" in artistic matters - then we're in for a lot of boring records by Mikhail. It isn't "touching" or "profound" to play the Rachmaninoff or Prokofiev Third as if you haven't had your morning coffee yet.

You could do worse..........2003-03-06

You could do worse'Pletnev isn't as bad a conductor as some make him out to be (his recording of Tchaikovsky's Sixth on Virgin records is actually quite spectacular). Tchaikovsky is my favorite symphonic composer, and while only his later 3 have achieved popularity, his first 3 are very enjoyable. They may lack the intensity of the 4th or 6th, and the poignancy of the 5th, and the form is noticeably sophomoric, but they do contain some fairly ingenious musical ideas and thematic elements. If you are thinking of buying just 2 or 3 of the symphonies, it is undoubtedly worth the money to purchase all 6 (7 if you include Manfred). This set is the best you can get for the under fifty dollars, but it isn't the best set you can buy. Pletnev does am outstanding job with the quieter and less intense moments of the music. His slow movements are absolutely touching (with the exception of the final movement of the final symphony, which, though slow and mournful, requires a more underlying intensity that is lacking here). The second movement's heart stopping opening chord sequence is simply some of the most beautiful music ever written, and Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra make it all the more touching. Unfortunately, the music does lack intensity. The climax of the sixth symphony's first movement is very intense, but other many other points in the music lack that same passion. At times, the balance of the orchestra can be a little off as well. There are actually several themes and motifs that I never knew were there (because they were drowned out) until I looked at the score. So if you don't want to spend to much money on these amazing pieces, this is a good set, but if you a more dedicated classicalist, I would recommend springing for an alternate set.

More Exciting Tchaikovsky from Pletnev.......2000-02-12

Mikhail Pletnev burst onto the conducting scene nearly a decade ago with an electrifying account of Tchaikovsky's 6th with this same orchestra on Virgin classics. Indeed, that recording is the most viscerally exciting account of the 6th ever committed to disc. Though this set of all Tchaikosvky's symphonies does not quite attain the same heights, it is still an exciting traversal of the great Russian's output in this genre. (And, contrary to the opinion expressed by the Russian reviewer below, Tchaikovsky's first three symphonies are also brilliant masterworks.) It is a pity that DG was not more generous, failing to include the fill-ups mentioned by the reviewer from Singapore; nevertheless, this is authentic Tchaikovsky from one of the most exciting Russian conductors (and pianists) alive today. Do not hesitate to hear this!

This Sad Pletnev Story.......2000-02-07

I have to respectfully disagree with the other two gentlemen who left rather excited reviews, and agree with the editorial blurb. Pletnev is no conductor. It's a sad example of this typical trend when every good actor presumes s/he will and, for some reason, should make a good director, just as every other pianist rushes into conducting for the same reasons. This just doesn't work -- Julia Roberts directing and Pletnev conducting... oh, please! -- they only deprive us all and themselves of great performances they could have done in the areas where they are professionals. (Thank goodness Richter was doing what he was doing, and wasn't worried about "conductor's fame"). Think of Ashkenazy, too -- an outstanding pianist but a mediocre conductor. His conducting isn't bad, it's okay, but for every performance of his, there are always at least a couple of other recordings you would unmistakably choose over. The first thing about Pletnev is, his performance (including that of a pianist) has notably worsened over the last 15 years or so (these were the years of his infatuation with conducting, and with Russian Orthodox religion -- the latter has made him duller in every sense). When he was younger, he had a very fresh pianistic style and there was much excitement about him (same story with Kissin, by the way, who is getting duller and duller as the time goes). Then, under Gorbachev, when religion suddenly became a fashion among Russian intellectuals, he started doing these weird things -- he would come to a concert with a huge pretentious cross hanging over his dress (you'd think religion is a personal thing and a cross, if it means something, is to be kept under your shirt). There was much window-dressing in that. I was a student in Moscow at the time, and we would just laugh at the guy when we sat at his performances in Moscow Conservatory. The problem is, not only did he look like a boring Russian Orthodox "pop" (ie. priest), but he eventually started to "behave" like one. What I mean is, this stupid show he put on influenced his entire performing style. He became "slow and dull". He would stand there in front of the orchestra with his head down, his eyes closed and his face depicting some super-tragic emotion without any movement every other minute in the middle of the play, putting both the orchestra and everybody listening asleep. A similar thing happened to his style of a pianist -- a young energetic Pletnev who played Prokofiev's 8th sonata on par with Horowitz was gone; a new boring Pletnev who would sleep over the keyboard was born. That's the whole story. I simply can't listen to Pletnev's late work. As for his conducting in particular, I have to agree again with the editorial opinion -- it lacks any interpretive qualities. It is sour and dull. When I listened to these Tchaikovsky's pieces, I couldn't but vividly imagine Pletnev standing there "asleep" with his head down and the orchestra just going without him. By the way, speaking of the orchestra, the so called "Russian National" is a rather boring collective too (well, I guess, they found each other). It used to be "Moscow State Philharmonic" at the time of the Soviet Union, and it was only good at playing pop arrangements at "gala" kind of events. At about the same time Pletnev took over it, they renamed it "Russian National" but it didn't make it any better -- it never lived up to the standards of, for example, Svetlanov's orchestra (leave alone former Mravinsky's Leningrad Philharmonic...). I wouldn't advise this dull record to anyone -- the only justifiable reason to buy it is: you are a music student and have to learn all pros & contras around. If you are just after a nice performance of Tchaikovsky's symphonies, check the 5th in Gergiev's version and the 6th in Karajan's or even Muti's (or Svetlanov's, if you are into a more "Russian" experience). As for Tchaikovsky's earlier symphonies, I don't know why anyone would want to listen to them (the guy was a big phony in his early years). Basically, with the name Pletnev, stay away from everything that was recorded after 1990. Some of his earlier piano stuff is wonderful, though.

Not the best around; but DEFINITELY not the worst...........1999-11-10

Pletnev's Tchaikovsky cycle though not the best around ( c.f Jansons/Oslo PO ; Karajan/BPO) but yet is still very much worth a listen. Sound carries much of a typical Russian orchestra which Tchaikovsky might have intended when writing these works -big and brassy. Carries some unique and memorable moments eg. beginning of Sym. No. 6 1st Movt - the air of mystery and groom before the basoon entrance. Though it might have the sheer white-heat of the same sym. previously recorded under Virgin ( by Pletnev/RSO)previously, interpretation and performance is still marked to be one of the best around...Major minus point is that this set ( which is full-price for 5 CDs) is also available separately in 6 CDs which carries interesting fillers like the Tempest, R&J Overture and Capriccio Italtien just to name a few. Janson with Oslo PO is still first choice ( together with a electrifying performance of the Manfred) but interesting performances as this should not be missed as well...

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Tempest/Symphony No. 2

Average customer rating:

Kind of slap dash
Gran Sinfonia, mejor Tempestad...
Abbado gets a winner

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Tempest/Symphony No. 2

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

ASIN: B0000025ZY
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Tempest, Op. 18, Symphonic Fantasy After Shakespeare: Andante con moto -- Allegro moderato -- Andante con moto
Symphony No. 2, Op. 17: I - Andante sostenuto; Allegro vivo
Symphony No. 2, Op. 17: II - Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
Symphony No. 2, Op. 17: III - Scherzo: Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 2, Op. 17: IV - Finale: Moderato assai; Allegro vivo

Customer Reviews:

Kind of slap dash.......2005-11-12

Claudio Abbado's Chicago recording of Tchaikovsky's "Little Russian" Symphony was among my first 10 CDs, back in 1986. Reading negative reviews of it later on, I gave it to my niece, but later bought another copy via Amazon.com, as all critics don't agree on the negative status of Abbado's Chicago recording.

This is rather "Slap dash" and played with a "devil may care" attitude on the part of the Chicago orchestra, which isn't all wrong, but Abbado doesn't take enough time in certain places to make this work really hang together coherently. The fast parts of I and IV are really FAST, and sound nearly out of control in places, but I am not as critical of this recording as some are. It is exciting, and if you aren't concerned about every note being in place, you might think more highly of it than I do. The sound is very good, but I give it 4 stars, as the performance could have been better.

There are better recordings around: Markevitch/London (Philips); Litton/Bournemouth (Virgin Classics, with the complete Tchaikovsky Symphonies); and Leaper/Polish National (Naxos). But, if you don't mind the slap dash approach Abbado used in this recording, it's an OK buy. (4 stars out of 5, or 80% of the highest mark, would be about a low "B-" by the standards of education I had in the 1960s and 70s when in school.)

Gran Sinfonia, mejor Tempestad..........2004-12-15

Claudio Abbado es un gran director, y en su ciclo de Tchaikovsky tiene bastantes logros. La sinfonia N°2 es bellisima y Abbado logra entregarnos una magnifica version, el punto de conflicto y lo he comentado es la fuerza y brillantes de la Orquesta de Chicago que no alcanza el nivel del director italiano. Por ello que la sinfonia suena un poco mas fria u oscura, y el sonido es mas apagado. La interpretacion se apega a el esquema clasico de la sinfonia con momentos sublimes y sensibles, y otros mas luminosos y alegres.
Para la Tempestad un aumento de puntaje, quizas la forma de afrentar el poema sinfonico sea el motivo que en comparacion este por sobre el nivel de la sinfonia.
Claudio Abbado excelente, la orquesta un poco debil, para la sinfonia Igor Markevitch es soberbio.

Abbado gets a winner.......2000-05-07

Mr. Abbado feels, and loves, this music and it shows in all the length of the recording

Not my favorite Tchaikovsky symphony, it is the 5th, but I fully enjoyed the work

I aldo have the Pletnev complete cycle, but thius second is better

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.2 in G Major, Op. 44 (original version); Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat Major, Op. 75
Average customer rating:
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.2 in G Major, Op. 44 (original version); Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat Major, Op. 75
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky , Peter Donohoe , Rudolf Barshai , Nigel Kennedy , Steven Isserlis , and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Symphonies 1-4

ASIN: B00000DNML
Release Date: 1991-08-16

Curzon Plays 'The Great Concertos'--Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2/Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No. 2/Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1/Grieg: Piano Concerto (2 CDs)
Average customer rating:
Curzon Plays 'The Great Concertos'--Brahms: Piano Concerto No.2/Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No. 2/Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1/Grieg: Piano Concerto (2 CDs)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00002MXN6
Release Date: 1999-08-02