Tchaikovsky: Complete Symphonies

P.I. Tchaikovsky (Composer), Mariss Jansons (Conductor), Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Mariss Jansons
• Composer: P.I. Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (April 29, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 6
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000GW8AUE
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,949 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirited, highly regarded set, October 29, 2008

By	Tyler S. Clark "Web Consultant and Speaker" (Youngstown, OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This set of Tchaikovsky's complete symphonies (including the under-rated "Manfred" Symphony and the Capriccio italien tone poem) was originally issued in 1992. I bought this set when it was first released and wore it out throughout high school at Interlochen Arts Academy. I chose it initially because I needed a complete set and found this to be a value; there also were not a great many complete sets to choose from at the time.

Assuming that as I got older, I would find better recordings, I bought more, including Kurt Masur with Leipzig Gewandhaus and Herbert von Karajan with Berlin. I was never quite satisfied with them. Certain that a boxed set I purchased at the age of seventeen couldn't be as good as it gets, I asked a professor-friend of mine (who reads all the classical music industry magazines and buys new recordings weekly) for a recommended set. He encouraged me to look into a highly regarded Chandos issue from Mariss Jansons.

Happy that I had already found what I was looking for, I added the set to my iPod and listened with fresh ears. I continue to enjoy each symphony and am especially delighted with the lesser known Third and "Manfred" symphonies. Though a French hornist I know quibbles with the use of vibrato by the Oslo soloist in the Fifth's "Andante cantabile", I have few complaints about any of the performances on these discs. It's not just the excellent playing from the Oslo Philharmonic that stands out; Mariss Jansons brings a big-picture comprehension of Tchaikovsky's style that provides an effective pacing and shaping to the works.

I recommend the set to you wholeheartedly, whether you are just starting out with these symphonies or know them intimately. It's great to see it back in print. I haven't found used copies of the original issue for less than $100.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Exciting Symphonies, May 17, 2008

By	Woodland Poet - See all my reviews

There may be other single performaces of each symphony that outshine some individually in this set, but on the whole, this is one outstanding set of the Tchaikovsky 6 numbered symphonies and the lesser known Manfred Symphony. Mariss Jansons demostrates a singular, and I might add bold, vision throughout this cycle recorded over several years in the mid to late 1980s. The Oslo Philharmonic is brilliant in these discs. The recorded sound is rich and while the orchestra is not too close to the mics, it is never lacking in detail or warmth. I bought the cycle separately, but dont waste the time I did, get them all at once. A special treat is the little known Tchaikovsky 3rd Symphony in 5 movements. As one reviewer pointed out there are none of the flagrant inflections that many conductors introduce into these masterpieces. If you love Tchaikovsky, I think you will love this set.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's awesome!, May 10, 2008

By	C. L. Liang "FchenLL" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a reissued value pack from the previous edition. The Jansons and Olso orchestra made a great performance of Tchaikovsky's complete symphonies. Thumbs up!