Symphony 5 / Serenade for Strings

Tchaikovsky (Artist), Ormandy (Artist), Philadelphia Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027AP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,482 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Serenades & Divertimentos > Divertimentos

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good except for omitted measures, August 12, 2003

By 

Daniel Thompson (Laguna Niguel, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphony 5 / Serenade for Strings (Audio CD)

There is no doubt that the widely loved Symphony No. 5 is performed extremely well. With first rate musicians and conductor, the emotional work lives up to its masterpiece reputation. The Serenade for Strings is another brilliant piece, but the edition on this CD lacks the written-out repeat of the Allegro Moderato (roughly 120 measures). Similarly, in the Finale, there are 235 measures missing! These omissions would add a good ten minutes to the Serenade. Music buyers should purchase this CD for the Symphony No. 5 and look for a better edition of the Serenade for Strings.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 5th Symphony makes a nice filler......, August 4, 2000

By 

Jason Quintana (Gilbert, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphony 5 / Serenade for Strings (Audio CD)

But for me, the main event here is the Serenade for Strings. This piece of music may well have better interpretations elsewhere on disc, but lets be honest 99% of this piece is gushing romantic string tone. This orchestra, which was well known for high quality in this area fully lives up to its hype. This is music that should never be played by a small chamber orchestra, yet can get bogged down by a lesser full sized string section. Here, everything is done to its proper effect, with warm recorded sound. The 5th Symphony as noted clearly lives up to its "essential classics" label. It is essential, and is brought off in much the same way as the Serenade. Gushing and romantic to an extent that those snobs who dislike Tchaikovsky will hate it even more then normal. I love every minute of it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best performance of Tchaikovsky's Fifth I've heard yet!, June 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Symphony 5 / Serenade for Strings (Audio CD)

When Eugene Ormandy was music director, the Philadelphia Orchestra always had a excellent string section. And this performance, which requires intense string power, is solid evidence. There is so much emotion and power in this symphony, and Ormandy gives it the performance that it deserves. And at under $10, this CD is a steal.