Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Pletnev, Russian National Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, Pathétique/Marche Slave

Impressive

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 08/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It seems this went out of print for a time in the U.S., but now it is back as part of a 2 for price of 1 set on Virgin along with Pletnev's version of The Seasons (although it doesn't appear this is available through Amazon). This version of the Pathetique is one of the finest available and is much preferable to Pletnev's later effort with the same orchestra on DG. The playing is crisp yet expressive, but not overly sentimental. The third movement "Allegro Molto Vivace" is taken at breakneck speed and just doesn't let up with climaxes that are absolutely shattering in impact. While Pletnev has been accused at times of being overly cold and calculating, it seems to me the proper amount of Tchaikovsky hysteria is allowed to come through without sacrificing the structure of the piece. The sound is first class and the Marche Slave has a similar intensity."

Breathtaking

carol France | 04/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why does everyone criticize Pletnev, the conductor, and praise Pletnev, the pianist? He might not be the best conductor- who is the best? - but he is not so "pathetic" in this Symphonie Pathetique.Pletnev conducts an amazingly overwhelming Russian National Orchestra in this Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6.They play with freedom, madness, as if they just escaped from some other planet, where convention and restraint are unheard of. They are intriguing, dramatic, intoxicating.What a shattering experience!The sound is so powerful and rapturous that everything seems to fall or fly around the room, especially in the third movement of the symphony, and the "Marche Slave." It's wild, provocative, exhilarating!Mikhail Pletnev has recorded with Deutsche Grammophon the complete six Tchaikovsky symphonies, with a very good sound (1996, 4D).
In this box set, the symphony No.6 is equally magnificent, played by the same orchestra, but with more reserve and maturity.
I enjoy both interpretations, although I tend to favor the eccentric one."