Customer Reviews

The Tchaikovsky Album

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I suppose that this is a good CD to get you hooked on Tchaikovsky (which I urge and encourage, as he is one of the most brilliant composers that has ever lived), it has its ups and its downs. It's surprisingly cheap for a double CD, and it is a very good deal, but there are still some things that need to be stated.

For starters, this CD is a "sampler". It gives you tastes of the greats as opposed to the real thing. It gives you a very small slice of "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake", well played, I'll admit, but too small to give the same impression that the entire ballets give. Obviously it would be impossible to fit two full ballets, two overtures, and a symphony on two CDs, so here they settle for small suites.

While at least you get a taste, it's almost as though the beauty of the pieces is lost as a large portion gets cut. That's a big downside that frustrated me, because had I not known that "The Nutcracker" was much longer, I never would have known that there were more parts. It also discourages you from getting full CDs of the ballets, because you're under the impression that "this is it". Well, not quite.

The plus side to this CD is pretty big. The 1812 Overture (my favorite track) is simply amazing. I can listen to it on repeat (despite its 15 minute length!) for hours to an end. It's powerful, emotional, strong, and simply breathtaking. It's the perfect recording of what is one of the best classical pieces ever. The Romeo and Juliet Overture is also very good, beautiful at the right moments, and powerful and strong at those. It's both lovely and huge at the same time.

This is a good CD. It has the big reasons that make me want you to buy it, like its comfortable price and the incredible 1812, but it also has the whole issue with the ballets, and that fact that there are better recordings of, again, the ballets. If you want a "taste" of Tchaikovsky, this is it, but for the real deal (full ballets), I suggest something different.

Wow, what an energy! The 1812 ouverture is impressive, and the 6th symphony is amazing. The 3rd movement is so fast, so brillant and so powerful, that when you hear it with the headphones you will be absolutely shocked. The finale is so luod, the brass are simply incredible! Maybe there could be better performances, but if you love the Solti/CSO works, this is the album for you.

Although I'm not a classical music expert, I know what I like, and this is definitely IT! The 1812 Overture recording on this CD gives me goosebumps whenever I listen to it at high volume and the Nutcracker brings back memories of field trips in elementary school. I honestly haven't listened to the Swan Lake nearly as much as the rest, and the 6th Symphony is very powerful and brassy, just the way I like it. (I'm a trombone and euphonium player). I HIGHLY recommend this set.

The Tchaikosky Album it is a very good way to get a glimpse of some of Tchaikovsky's most famous works as seen by a very good director and orchestra like Solti and the Chicago Symphony; all the works in the double CD are well-known, but to me, the highlight is the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, which is outstanding. The Nutcracker and Swan Lake suites are also included here, and they are well-executed, without too much flash or too little spirit. In general, this is a very good record at a very good price, but if you are looking for the best Tchaikosvky that you can find, you better look elsewhere.

Being a freshman in highschool, I am quite possibly the only one who listens to classical music. I started a music collection and this is one of the first of the recordings I bought. I was lucky for a novice! If you want a completely masterful recording of Tchaikovsky's best, this is it. All sections of the orchestra become alive with Solti's conducting and really deliver an emotion-packed, powerful performance. It is certainly worth its money

This recording was the second I ever purchased with my own money right behind Solti and Chicago doing Mahler 1. I have to say if you are thinking of this 2-cd set as a intro to Tchaikovsky for yourself or a friend, look no further! Two very elegant and powerful performances of ballet suites from the Nutcracker and Swan Lake give a beautiful introduction to these works and if you are so inspired definitely consider picking up recordings of the entire ballet. The sixth symphony is again beautifully presented and you'd be hard pressed to find a better recording. The Romeo and Juliet overture is given its most gut-wrenching performance albeit with some minor intonation problems early on. My favorite recording of this overture was done by the same orchestra with Daniel Barenboim conducting, see if you can find that as well. However the highlight of the set is this greatest performance of the historic 1812 overture. Beginning with goosebump-inducing strings and subtly building woodwinds the legendary CSO brass explode on this work with abandon. The chorale following the descending string sequence is guaranteed to give you chills. Unbelievable performance of this great orchestra showpiece with thundering cannon-shots! Looking to get someone hooked on the power of music, look no further. Solti and the CSO have never been better represented than on this 2-cd set. Buy without reservation!

By no means am I an expert in the realms of music, but this version of Tchaikovsky's greatest works struck me as nothing short of amazing. From the high range of the strings to the intense brass melodies, Solti's version brings out the true spirit of Tchaikovsky.

I have interest in him. I am intersted in whatever he has composed.
Pascual A. Martinez

Peter Tchaikovsky has made some of the most famous music/ballets. His resume includes the classics : Romeo and Juliet ( fantasy overture ), The nutcracker, sleeping beauty, 1812 overture etc. In this album, the 1812 overture is amazing and best performed. Romeo and Juliet : fanasty overture, is as romantic as ever. Swan lake- Suit 1 ( my favorite ) is still powerful and dramtic. Ahh and waltz of the flowers, what hasn't already been said about that. I personally recommend this album to the people who are already a fan of Tchaikovsky, you will surely appericate this album.

I consider the 6th symphony performance is better than the edition by Mravinsky.