Tchaikovsky: 1812; Capriccio Italien; Cossack Dance

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Erich Kunzel (Conductor), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Erich Kunzel
• Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003CSG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #99 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Romantic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So clear it will blow out your speakers---and windows...., December 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Capriccio Italien; Cossack Dance (Audio CD)

This is an excellent recording of the "1812". Kunzel inspires a surprisingly sparkling performance. The playing is strong and faithful and an excellent early example of digital clarity--a great recording to use if you're testing a new system or speakers. But WARNING! Read the liner warnings about not playing it too loud--the guns at the end were recorded digitally at a military war college using real ordnance and this recording, especially through an audiophile system, is capable of rattling glass, sterilizing cockroaches, and driving away annoying neighbors. At higher volumes (say around 6 or 7), it can do permanent damage to speakers and your inner ears. Take it up to a Spinal Tap "11" and--well, let's just say that if Bush had done this, we wouldn't have Saddam Hussein to kick around anymore. A MUST ADD to your collection of incredibly recorded classical music.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Explosive & Elegant reading., March 31, 2004

By 

Samhot (Star Land) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Capriccio Italien; Cossack Dance (Audio CD)

The infamous reading of the "1812" Overture from Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is quite a treat for the lover of Tchaikovsky's famous piece. This overture is quite a grand and dramatic work, and given the nature of this piece, it was only appropriate to go to extreme lengths to incorporate spectacular effects, which would increase and accentuate the dramatic aspects of this work. Even as the gently pulsating stringed instruments issue in the Russian hymn, we already sense a dramatic and expressive intensity. Throughout the piece, you will hear bits of the French National Anthem, as that represents the French in the tale. For the explosive finale, we are treated to the first few canon shots, directly before a dramatic, beautifully overwrought descending-zigzagging progression on the Ionian. After this ends, we are treated to the second appearance of the Russian hymn: only this time, it is played much louder, and the grand, encircling striking of the bells appear as well, which add to the grandeur of the whole thing. This then gives way to the famous march. And what follows, are more explosive canon shots: before the final explosion of the canon, there is a beautiful, grandiose contrapuntal melody which takes place, and shortly after, the piece ends just as it began: on a dramatic note.

Heed the warnings listed in the sleeves: there were *real* canons used on this recording, and if this piece is played too loudly while these canon shots are fired, there is a good chance of ruining your stereo -- and your eardrums. (It's listed in the sleeve that the sound of the final round that was recorded was *so* powerful, it actually shattered some windows of the College from which the canons were recorded. It was 100-feet away.) Highly recommended.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Faithful rendition of a Tchaikovsky classic, February 14, 1999

By 

Jeffrey N. Fritz "Nikon Jeff" (Morgantown, West Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Capriccio Italien; Cossack Dance (Audio CD)

If you are looking for a CD that will clearly push the limits of your audiohphile system, this is it. The combination of the orchestra playing full out, combined with the bells and digitally recorded cannons makes for a real challenge for any system. Be sure to heed the warning on setting a reasonable level during playback. Not doing so guarantees a trip to the stereo repair show and perhaps also to an audiologist.