Search - Alexander Scriabin, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Riccardo Muti :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique"; Alexander Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstacy

Excellent

Stephen | New Haven, CT, USA | 12/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've only heard two recordings of Tchaikovsky's 6th (the other was Pierre Monteaux), but of those two at least, this one I found to be much superior. Muti conducts it with a lot of feeling."

Most emotional 6th ever

Robert Timmers | Atlanta, GA | 01/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My previous experiences with Muti conducting Tchaikovsky made want to buy this CD because Tchaikovsky's 6th is one of the most emotional and tear-jerking works. And Muti is one of the best, if not the best, Tchaikovsky interpreters. I also have a recording of this with Solti and Chicago and at first I thought that was hard to beat. But while moments of Chicago's 6th are better than Philly's, the overall effect of the symphony is portrayed better through Philadelphia. Even though I wished Philly played some parts as loud as Chicago, I still prefer the sound that Philadelphia puts out. It is a lot warmer but does not sacfrice the intensity. Also, Muti really rings out all the music that is in this symphony. The fourth movement is the highlight of this CD. I warn you of this because it takes a lot out of you. If I were to compare the two recordings by movement the 1st mvt is a tie, Philly wins the 2nd, Chicago wins the 3rd, but the most important movement Philadelphia wins by mile. The low brass chords at the end of the symphony are what will make you start crying. So, I highly recomend this CD because it truly delivers what Tchaikovsky put in to it: all his heart and soul."

Huge dynamic range in Pathetique

K. Kitto | Oak Park, IL USA | 07/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps more of a music expert would not find this a drawback, but I find the enormous dynamic range of this recording a bit distracting -- it starts out incredibly quiet, so I have to turn the stereo way up to even know it's playing, and then of course as it gets going it's blasting me out of the living room. I'm sure this would be very exciting to hear live, but it is a small drawback for a living room listener. That said, it's a lovely recording."