Search - Tchaikovsky, Ashkenazy, Philharmonia Orchestra :: Symphony 6

5 Stars says it all

William R. Gottschalk | Danbury, CT USA | 04/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Tchaikovsky 6th is my favorite symphony - no - favorite classical work! The composer was to live only a short time after it's initial performance and one must wonder if he realized this as he was conjuring up the notes to the finale. When I am feeling a bit out of sorts, I play the 6th and realize as I'm listening to the final movement that there is no way anyone could ever feel more sorrow than was Tchaikovsky at the time he was composing this powerful and emotionally exhilarating and daunting powerhouse.

Ashkenazy, in this performance uses all of the right tempi, and all of the right emphasis in the brass and timpani. I've gone to many live performances and listened to COUNTLESS performances of this symphony on CD and vinyl. Some reviewers favor the 50's recording by Reiner/CSO. But even with digital remastering, it's impossible to bring RCA's "Living Presence" anywhere near the dynamics of this Ashkenazy rendition. There IS no better recording than this one. Do yourself a favor and listen to it."