Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Yuri Temirkanov, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: The 6 Symphonies [Box Set]

Stupendous

David Saemann | 05/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you want Tchaikovsky conducted with vigor and clinical accuracy by people like Dorati and Svetlanov, this set is not for you. If, however, you want a personalized tour of Tchaikovsky with thrills and spills like a great roller coaster ride, you've come to the right place. In the last three symphonies, Temirkanov is the equal of anyone who has recorded these works, including Mravinsky and Ormandy. The Sixth is beautifully expressive, while the Fifth is exciting with the occasional push or hesitation in tempo keeping you on the edge of your seat. The Fourth is a pretty mainstream version, with a quick tempoed last movement that is very much in the Russian manner. Temirkanov has criticized Mravinsky, his St. Petersburg predecessor, for not programming the first three symphonies. Temirkanov really invests himself in them. The first three movements of the Polish are VERY slow, but somehow by the finale Temirkanov has brought off his conception of the work. The Little Russian is given a full-throated, rather typical reading, while Winter Dreams again is rather slow in places, although these moments sometimes build up to tremendous crescendi. The fillers on each disc are uniformly excellent, although the sound on Romeo and Juliet is a little less brilliant than that of the rest of the set, which is excellent and takes full advantage of the dynamic range of digital recording. It is very good to have Fatum here, a rarely programmed early work that is highly interesting. Throughout the set, the Royal Philarmonic play with passion and sensitivity, sounding like a completely different ensemble than they did under music director Vladimir Ashkenazy at this time. This is a set I plan to return to again and again for much spiritual nourishment."

A great Russian conductor excels in the early symphonies

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 01/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

The best bargain set, maybe the best overall, September 17, 2005

By Santa Fe listener - See all my reviews





I'm a great admirer of Yuri Temirkanov, who ranks just behind Gergiev as the most admired of current Russian conductors, even though he is little followed in the U.S. (his tenure with the Baltimore Sym. came and went without much press at all, unlike his successor, Marin Alsop) So far as reputation goes, his bargain set of the Tchaikovsky symphonies, first issued in 1993, lags behind sets by Karajan (one on EMI, one on DG), Jansons in Oslo, Pletnev in St. Peterburg, and Bernstein in NY (Sony), among others.



In addition the recorded sound for his cycle is only average, and the Royal Phil. has no great reputation. But Temirkanov gets some inspsired Tchaikovsky playing, far more natural and idiomatic than the above mentioned sets. As a representative of the great St. Petersburg tradition, along with Gergiev and Mravinsky, Temirkanov has this music in his blood, and you feel it most when he conducts the lesser symphonies (#1,#2,#3) with such autority and drama. Only a handful of non-russian maestros has come close, although of course there's far more competition in the last three symphonies. Overall, at this price I don't see how any lover of these works can resist.



P.S. March, 2009 -- On relistening, I found Temirkanov a touch too conventional. This is sitll a very good bargain, but I'd give it four stars today."

Spirited, middle of the road rendintions

King Lemuel | Puyallup, WA | 01/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This box set is apparently a reissue of the 1993 release. I just listened thru all 6 CDs via Rhapsody. If you are looking for some novel (i.e. 3 legged dog weird) performances this is not it. Instead, the performances are middle of the road, with spirited playing. The orchestra sounds pretty good, especially the brass (though it is not the Vienna Philharmonic under Gergiev). It is an affordable, well played and conducted complete symphony cycle plus another two hours of bonus orchestral music.



Symphonies 1 to 6 are each on their own separate CDs, none are split between CDs. Each of the CDs also has a ballet orchestral suite, a fantasy overture, or a symphonic poem as the last track(s).



I especially liked the fantasy overtures/tone poems--they are all 5 star excellent. Of the symphonies, I liked #6 the best, but they are all very well done.



I thought the recording levels could have been a little higher, especially on some of the slower movements where the solo instruments seemed a little too distant. I would also rather have Manfred over the Swan Lake ballet orchestral suite or they could have added another disc.



I am not in search of the Holy Grail definitive Tchaikovsky symphony cycle. If I was, this set is not it. It is, however, well played and enjoyable to listen to. The interpretations are different than others I have heard including my favorite Tchaikovsky cycle (mid 70s Karajan BPO). It will do rather nicely as either a primary or secondary Tchaikovsky Cycle.

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