Symphony 6: Pathetique / Serenade for Strings [Original recording remastered]

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Composer), William Steinberg (Conductor), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: William Steinberg
• Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B0000589T8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,060 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, September 9, 2008

By 

David Saemann - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Symphony 6: Pathetique / Serenade for Strings (Audio CD)

William Steinberg was a superb Tchaikovsky conductor. In 1929, he recorded the Violin Concerto with Bronislaw Huberman, a classic recording. He later would go on to rerecord it with Nathan Milstein. I have LPs by him of the 4th (Command) and 5th (Pickwick) Symphonies, both excellent. This CD offers convincing proof of Steinberg's excellence in this repertoire. The sound engineering is lovely monaural, full and beautifully balanced. In the Symphony, from 1954, Steinberg takes slightly broad tempos that allow the symphonic argument full rein. He doesn't pull phrases about in the Ormandy manner, but builds the drama of the work steadily and convincingly. The big moments are crushing in their intensity. In the Serenade, from 1953, Steinberg produces one of the best ever recordings of this work. His string section plays beautifully, and the structure of each movement is convincingly laid out. The performance has both charm and pathos in the right places. Every one of the Steinberg/Pittsburgh reissues on EMI that I have heard has been very rewarding, and this CD is no exception.