Tchaikovsky symphonies, Ashkenazy or Karajan or ?

Yevgeny Mravinsky's stereo set with his Leningrad PO on DG's Originals series (mid-price, 2 CDs) is so far ahead of the field over forty-five years after they were recorded that it's quite silly. Would post an attachment, if I knew how, but I don't. Catalogue number is 477 5911.

By the way, there is an earlier Leningrad PO mono set, also on DG Originals, in which Sanderling conducts the Fourth and Mravinsky Five and Six (447 423-2). It's much rougher in sound and performance. Both sets are marvellous and ideally you should have both, but get the later one first.

Graham

I guess if those were my two choices I'd go for the Ashkenazy. Karajan's records tend to give me a migraine, but to each his own, and I could understand those who admire this conductor's work. But then again, I haven't heard the Ashkenazy set, so this is only conjecture.

My first choices (above) are not Amazon's cheapest, but are some very good performances I am familiar with.. Hope this helps.

Regards

BB

I concurr with Mrvinsky on DG Originals--amazing performances in good sound. Completely unique sound of the Russian orchestra/conductor in this classic material.

I knew I could count on you folks to put me straight

Mrvinsky on DG Originals it will be then.

Many thanks for your help.

Milo

quote:

Originally posted by Milo Tweenie:
I'd like to add Tchaikovsky's symphonies 4,5 & 6 to my CD collection.

Now I know you good folk's opinion of HvK can be pretty damning at times, but which would you advise?

There's no accounting for the intransigence of the ignorant!

HvK's set of the three is available on HMV's site for £7.99... think I'll buy one myself!

EW

Here:

http://www.hmv.co.uk/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ct...;-1;-1;-1&sku=808758

That's a tasty morsel for eight quid!

If you want Tchaikovsky as part of a great Austro-German Romantic tradition, HvK is as good as any.

Problem is Tchaikovsky was Russian.

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
Problem is Tchaikovsky was Russian.

I don't think Tchaik would've thought it a problem...

Each to their own then. Ignorance rules.

I must admit I'm pretty ignorant of Tchaikovsky - I went through a phase of liking the mature symphonies and Manfred when I was at High School, but now they just irritate me. I suspect I should have another listen, but I'm ignorant varmint!

Yes, but why not listen to a conductor and orchestra with Tchaikovsky in their bones? Hell, the Leningrad PO players' instruments were owned by the orchestra and many (brass section particularly) were quite different from Western orchestras.

Whether you like them or not is a matter of choice. But there's no mistaking the difference.

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
... Hell, the Leningrad PO players' instruments were owned by the orchestra and many (brass section particularly) were quite different from Western orchestras.

Whether you like them or not is a matter of choice. But there's no mistaking the difference.

Graham

I didn't know that. I'm really looking forward to listening to them now.

Perhaps I should have said at the outset that I already have the HvK/BPO set on vinyl, but they were bought in ignorance many years ago when buying HvK was what you did.

Just ordered the HvK set - I'm going through a bit of a Karajan rediscovery phase, helped along by Richard Osborne's biography, so now's as good a time as any to re-visit Tchaik... it's been a long time! (Couldn't resist at £7.99 delivered!)

Let me know how you get on with the Mravinsky set, I've heard OF it, but never heard it...

EW

Slightly off the original question (but hey, it's my thread ) I don't think I've seen Ashkenazy recommended as a conductor although he seems to have done a fair bit of it.

I understood he was a good pianist, but he dropped that mid career. Was that a mistake?

quote:

Originally posted by Milo Tweenie:
Slightly off the original question (but hey, it's my thread ) I don't think I've seen Ashkenazy recommended as a conductor although he seems to have done a fair bit of it.

I understood he was a good pianist, but he dropped that mid career. Was that a mistake?

At least his Rachmaninoff symphony cycle is considered to be among the top contenders. Myself, I have the Previn set and I must say I think these symphonies are really nice!

Chaps,

Changed my order to this:



Got the complete set 2nd hand off the Amazon marketplace for £14 (delivered) and it arrived this morning... oh man, what playing! I've just been having a quick skip through, reminds me of when I was young and happy, haven't heard this music for so long... I think I'm going to enjoy this, can't wait to have a proper listen tonight!!!! Even people who malign Herr von Karajan have to admit he's a great Tchaikovsky conductor, and from what I've heard I'm not surprised! The orchestral playing he gets from the Berlin Phil must make other ensembles want to bugger their instruments off on Ebay and go fishing!

Anyway, thanks for giving me the idea, guys!

EW

Just had a good listen to 4, 5 and 6 - stunning performances, it's been nice to revisit these works that I used to love back when I was young and happy (I used to have the early Abbado recordings with the VPO, but lent them out years ago and never got them back...)

I'm still not sure what I think of Tchaikovsky, but it's a big thumbs up for Herr von Karajan and the BPO. Anyone considering adding these works to their collection shouldn't hesitate, especially at the price. It's awesome.

EW