Search - Tchaikovsky, Hannan, Edwards :: Symphony 5

A Must-buy for a Tchaikovsky fans!

11/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sian Edwards's collaboration with the LPO marks a whole new interpretation to the 5th Sym. She coaxes out one of the best sounds ever recorded by the orchestra - not to mention that the musicians are playing with total dedication to this very sympathetic reading of this sym. Entrances to both 1st and 2nd movements are very well played with the greyness superbly captured. Horn solo in 2nd movt. is by Richard Basell - giving the sense of loneliness and desparity - somewhat a premonition to the "Pathetique". The Waltz in the 3rd movt. sets in a totally different mood altogether from 1st & 2nd; totally brilliant! The whole reading is crowned with the last movt. where you can hear the bows literally biting the strings! The letter scene from EO makes a very interesting filler. Though Russian is not a readily comprehensible language to most, the notes comes with libretto and translations. Nevertheless, enjoying the sheer beauty of the Aussie sop, Eilene Hannan is really quite enough for me :)"

Terrific!

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 04/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ms. Edwards does the Symphony so incredibly well. It's hard to imagine many performances surpassing hers.From the hushed, mysterious opening, to the glories of the 2nd movement, the fleeting figures of the 3rd and the majesty and ironic flight (not the conquering of, like the music *wants* you to believe!) from Fate in the 4th, this is a performance to treasure.The London Phil plays like the world-class orchestra that it is, and its usual characteristics come to the fore: excellent individual soloists, and strings, while perhaps lacking an individual tone, play with dark, almost germanic, power.The filler is wonderful stuff too, and done very well."

The best symphony

Santiago Barcon | Mexico city | 05/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Look into any collection and you will find the Pathetique. My favorite is this one, since it looks deeper into the composer and his ideas.Mr. edwards takes out all the power and soul of the London Philarmonic in an excellent quality of recordingHighly recommended"