Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Pletnev, Russian National Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6, Romeo & Juliet

Good but...

Ekrem Ayyildiz | istanbul,turkey | 09/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tchaikovsky is not essential composer in my musical world but he and some of his works(Nos.4,5,6,Nutcracker,Swan Lake,Italien Capriccio,Romeo&Juliet,Violin Concerto,Piano Con.No.1,Rococo Var. and 1812)are among essential in musical world.No doubt ! And undoubtly his 'Pathetique' is his 'manifesto' and one of the greatest ever written. What a symphony ! I love this work....This DG recording is stamped with authentic references such as Russian 'National'Orchestra and a conductor who comes from Russian tradition...But all were not enough. Because Pletnev's reading is not so good. Forexample, the tempi are irregular in first three movements and not objective. The interpretation is not including special things. Trumpet and woodwinds performing and 'pizzicatos' are poor. The recording volume is at low level...But, on the other hand,string playings are very beautiful and lyric. Some crescandos are exciting and bass parts are very powerful. The adagio is well done. In my opinion this interpretation is in secondary class, like Solti(CSO-1976), Klemperer(Philharmonia-1963) and Ashkenazy(Philharmonia-1979). In short, this is a good / different version but not essential or great when I compare with "references": Mravinsky (1960,Studio,DG and '82,Live,Teldec,with LP), Karajan (1971,EMI & 1977,DG,with BP and 1984,DG,with WP), Giulini (1959,EMI,with Philharmonia and 1980,DG,with LAP), Markevitch (1961,Philips,with LSO), Jansons (1984,Chandos,with Oslo Phil.) and Dutoit (1986,Decca, with Montreal SO)...Recommended for lovers of Tchaikovsky or fans of this great work...DG's edition, cover photo and design are wonderful."