Overall - a quality tchaikovsky boxed set
Daniel L. Ayala | Columbia, SC United States | 11/02/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In this box set, the great cellist turned conductor Rostropovich takes up an entire cycle of the Tchaikovsky symphonies including the Manfred as well as a couple poems. Now, I do in fact agree with the reviewer who does claim that rostropovich's conducting on record is a mixed bag. His Shostakovich is pretty damn good. His Prokofiev on Erato with the Orchestre de Paris is less successful, which I also own. This cycle of Tchaikovsky symphonies are pretty darn amazing. Its a shame this cycle is not more readily available. Maybe it was back in the day, but I snagged it up through here from an indepedent seller from Australia for a mere $4.
SO in judging the merits of these performances all done with in a couple years of eachother if I recall, they are great. The most successful performances in my opinion are of the 1st, 4th, and 6th. The Manfred Symphony in my opinion is perhaps the MOST successful work on the entire set. Now, completely realizing that its not a frequently recorded piece, and also realizing that to some the work is weak, its difficult to find an outstanding recording that is committed through and through. Rostopovich is the most successful at this. My other versions are from Jansons/OPO/CHandos; and Pletnev/RNO/DG.
In summary, the above reviewer summarized the merits of this set well. The LPO is disciplined; Rostropovich achieves dark, slavic, romantic performances here. I enjoy this set very much."
A mystery that this is out of print
Paul Bubny | Maplewood, NJ United States | 02/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like the reviewer below, I obtained my copy of this boxed set from overseas, years after it had been deleted from the EMI catalog, and like that reviewer, I wonder why it isn't more readily available. It's hard to imagine that there is no audience for committed, intensely serious performances like these. Rostropovich's expansive approach means that overall timings are generally slower than usual, with the exception of a relatively fleet "Pathetique." This might try the patience of listeners who prefer a more direct, no-nonsense style in Tchaikovsky, not to mention those who look down on this music as facile and histrionic. I must admit I sometimes share in these misgivings, but actually sitting down and listening to this set usually silences them. The slightly distant and resonant recording perspective does sometimes dull the bite of these performances, or at least emphasize their emotional indulgence, yet the power, conviction and cohesiveness on display here should not be underestimated. There are a couple of awkward "side breaks," as both the Third and Sixth Symphonies are split between CDs--unavoidable, apparently, in cramming all seven symphonies (including "Manfred"), plus "Romeo and Juliet" and "Francesca da Rimini," onto five very well-filled discs."
