Search - Alexander Borodin, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Antal Dorati :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 4

Firey Passion, in both pieces

TchaikJP | Houston, TX United States | 10/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marking Tchaikovsky's breakthrough in symphonic form, Symphony 4 is also probably his most popular, next to the Pathetique, and possibly even more popular because, frankly, it ends happy. Those who know the true Tchaikovsky know this has to be some of the best self-deceiving known- however, he pulls off a happy ending with such bombast, it is impossible to remain in your seat in the racous finale of this work. Especially in Dorati's hands, the dance and kinetic energy of this symphony springs forth in every movement. Tchaikovsky was accused of including passages that alluded too much to ballet music. Tchaikovsky didn't realize why that was a fault, and today we certainly forgive him for it. However, too often conductors become oversentimental and milk Tchaikovsky's torments into the most horrid shmaltz- totally neglecting the dance quality inherent in Tchaikovsky's writing. Dorati refreshingly does not. Instead, he employs this danciness to give the passion a constant forward-driving motion, leaving the listener swamped and excited all at once. The effect is wonderful- the first mvt. cries its passion fiercly as opposed to being just whiny and sloshy, the inner mvts sing, and the last really puts the "fuoco" in the Allegro con Fuoco like no other.
Also, coupled is a truly first rate Francesca- Dorati's readings of this are quite unique, and his slavic flavor keep many of the sections from falling into that slushy goop of hollywood romance by reigniting them with fire- and giving this beautiful love-lament the true purging of hellfire that is called for. Francesca and the 4th symphony couple well together, and here is a CD with a great perfomance of each for a reasonable price! To me there is no question- save youself from overdone Tchaikovsky by buying these discs, whose energy is rarely matched."

A true oldie but goodie

TchaikJP | 06/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is it ever good to return to this wonderful set of performances that dominated the catalog for a long time...a relatively long time ago.Dorati and the LSO are at their considerable best, the drama and pathos are there, but we are uniquely spared the bathos and noisiness that we're usually subjected to in these matters (yes, Lennie was the worst!)While Dorati's remakes with the National SO in the 70s were outstanding, there's something about the more immediate sound and the somewhat more ship-shape orchestral standards on these Mercury-originated issues that gets more out of the music with less technique and more naturalness. If you do side-by-sides you'll know what I mean. Wilma Cozart can again take bows for her excellent work refurbing her own original product. It brings Dorati's character and originality to the fore."

A truly rare excellent recording and performance

TchaikJP | 10/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With each additional Living Presence CD I purchase I am more amazed at the sheer technical genius possessed by the Mercury recording engineers. The Tchaikovsy 4th and Prince Igor recordings are among the best recorded works that I have ever heard; the artistic merit is equally high. Fracesca de Rimini is vital from a performance point of view, though the recording quality is less.To make an editorial statement: I think that this old Mercury recording shows how timeless technique, such as microphone placement, on a 40-year-old recording surpasses today's technical capabilities placed in less-capable hands. These old Mercury recordings bring out the music in a truly "living" way. Many of today's "wide dyanmic range" (ie. you often can't hear 50% of the music) recordings and their creators would be well-advised to learn from these old LP-era masterworks.In any event Dorati and his orchestras have given the user a truly desert-island, compelling recording that you will reach for over and over again."