Customer Reviews

Symphonies 4-6

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this era of homogenized classical collections, it is great to see Testament rescue gems from the vaults of labels like EMI and reissue them on CD. This two disc set presents Rafael Kubelik's 1960 stereo recordings of the last three Tchaikovsky Symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic. Kubelik's 4th is one of the best ever, and has been a fan favorite for years. It has been available on CD previously from EMI directly, as part of Kubelik's Artist Profile collection and in the budget-line Seraphim series. While nearly as good in my opinion, Kubelik's 5th and 6th never received similar praise. The liner notes indicate that EMI's International Classical Repertoire Committee initially did not approve these performances, though I'm baffled at why. However, many classical buyers will probably pass on these discs as well. Unless you're a serious collector, it's hard to justify this purchase when for less than half the price of this title you can purchase stunning accounts of Tchaikovsky's Symphonies Nos. 4-6 by Karajan or Markevitch. But if you do settle on this Testament reissue, you'll get three terrific Tchaikovsky performances.

Please beware. the download link on this item is incorrect and points to a different set of Tchaikovsky Symphony performances from the ones shown for the Testament CDs. The actual Testament CDs are great, from a generally relatively under-appreciated conductor.

This magnificent recording of the three Tchaikovsky symphonies conducted by Kubelik with VPO was a revelation to me, after exhausting almost all the great recordings of 4,5&6th.

Just like his celebrated Mahler recordings, this Kubelik's uncanny ability to let every part of orchestra sing and unite in gloriously rich music making, never cease to amaze me. My only reservation is that the last movement of Pathetique Symphony is rushed where it shouln't be and sounds too rhapsodic as a result. 4th and 5th are outstanding in many ways and unmistakably Kubelik with much emphasis on brass and woodwind instruments and the magical spontaneity in tempo changes.