Customer Reviews

Tchaikovsky: The Complete Symphonies

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) recorded all 6 Tchaikovsky Symphonies with the New York Philharmonic for Columbia records-now Sony Classical - in the 1960s and early 1970s. Bernstein later re-recorded Symphonies 4,5,and 6 with the New York Philharmonic for Deutsche Grammophon. In this box then are Bernstein's only recordings of Tchaikovsky's first 3 symphonies.

Symphony 1 in G Minor, "Winter Dreams" fares the best of the early symphonies. Bernstein isn't afraid the play around with tempos to make a point, but he does very well and is quite convincing throughout. In short, his tempo fluctuations do not impede the flow of the music or hamper Tchaikovsky's message. Symphony 2 in C minor, "Little Russian", which uses a Ukrainian folk song as the central motif around which movement IV is built, is less successful. Bernstein is too fast through I and IV, pushing the music too hard, and making it seem all slam-bang with little of Tchaikovsky's soul. Perhaps he was having an off day when this was recorded. Symphony 3 in D Major, "Polish", and the least recorded of Tchaikovsky's 6 symphonies, is better than Symphony 2, but not as successful as Symphony 1 in Bernstein's hands. He does exaggerate slowness in the introduction to I, and the New York violins are a little scratchy in fast moving passages in the allegro of I. But there is incredible spirit throughout. The Elegy movement is very tender and yearning; the final Polacca (mt. V) very energetic and stirring in the closing hymn like coda.

Symphony 4 is the 1975 recording, considered by many to be superior to an earlier 1960 recording by Bernstein/New York (available in a separate Sony "Bernstein Century" release). The 1975 recording is less driven, and was popular on LP when I was in college in the late 1970s: one of my dorm roommates had this LP in 1978. Symphonies 5 and 6, both recorded in the early 1960s, are excellent and top notch in every way. Symphony 6 "Pathetique" is more objective, less overwrought with emotion and pathos than Bernstein's 1986 DG recording of this piece, but still filled with emotion and drama, as is Bernstein's style.

There are also the discmates: excellent "Marche Slave" "1812 Overture", "Hamlet", and "Romeo and Juliet"; and a well played but poorly recorded "Francesca da Rimini." (Bernstein's 1986 DG Francesca, disc-mate to Symphony 4, is much better recorded than the one here). So, this is a great bargain if you like Bernstein's emotional, heart on sleeve style in Tchaikovsky. It works well, and buying all these recordings in a box is a bargain, rather than separate Bernstein Royal and other CBS or Sony editions. You might consider supplementing this with the Naxos recordings of Tchaikovsky's Symphony 2 by Adrian Leaper/Polish National Radio Orchestra, and Symphony 3 by Antoni Wit/Polish National Radio Orchestra, both well balanced performances in excellent digital sound.

Fans of Bernstein, Tchaikovsky and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra will find much to admire in this box set containing recordings made for CBS Masterworks during the 1960s and 1970s. Historically these are important recordings since they were among the first ever recorded in stereo of the entire Tchaikovsky symphony cycle, and were regarded as definitive accounts by many fans and critics for years. I concur with a previous reviewer who noted that Bernstein's best recorded accounts are those of the 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th symphonies. I especially admire his interpretations of the last three symphonies, noting that he does a fine job in taking a more middle of the road approach by faithfully adhering to Tchaikovsky's scores without injecting an excessive amount of emotional intensity (Sadly this wasn't the case for his later Deutsche Grammophon recordings of the last three symphonies in the mid to late 1980s, recorded during live performances with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.). Without question, this set of symphony recordings demonstrate that Bernstein was a fine interpreter of Tchaikovsy's music, offering contemporary listeners yet another excellent opportunity to hear Bernstein at his peak as a great orchestral conductor.

Currently this set is selling for under $20 in the used listings - at that price it's a steal and should be grabbed.

Bernstein is a vastly under rated conductor these days. Perhaps his later eccentricities with tempi in performance and on recordings has colored most memories. Pity - as Bernstein's emotional flamboyance and his way with rubato revivified many warhorse scores - including the symphonies of Peter Ilyich.

I am in general agreement with the previous reviewers that Bernstein fares best in numbers 1,4,5,6. But then again, it can be persuasively argued that Tchaikovsky himself fared best in numbers 1, 4,5,6. It should be noted that this recording of #4 was made with the NYP in 1974 - its only CD release as far as I know. (The Royal Edition went for the 60s recording) This '74 recording brims with fire and passion and belongs in every library. The 5th and 6th are fiery interpretations that are most enjoyable. Sound throughout is average Columbia quality for this era.

Much has been written about Bernstein's final DG recording of the 6th symphony for DG Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 (Pathétique). It deserves to be heard at least once. Bernstein wrings every single drop of sweat and angst out of the first movement, the third movement blazes away in brass glory, and the finale movement takes the listener to the edge of an emotional abyss. There really is nothing like it. While it is certainly not the only version of the 6th symphony one should have, it should certainly be heard - just to show how a conductor can make a work his own. I was fortunate enough to have heard Bernstein conduct this live, and I can honestly say I have never heard a more formidable silence in a concert hall as I did that night when the symphony drew to a close. There were some patrons in tears - it is that powerful.

That said - these FIVE (!) discs will provide many hours of enjoyment and are the cornerstone of a basic classical library. For less than the price of two regular discs.

Put on the 1812 Overture and have a party!

Leonard Bernstein was one of the best Tchaikovsky conductors in the world. He knew how to get the best performances out of his orchestra. If you've been looking around for other symphony cycles in a budget box set, then look no further than this release from Sony.

As the title of this box set says, it collects all of Tchaikovsky's symphonies. There are also 5 other orchestral works in this box: "1812 Overture," "Romeo And Juliet," "Francesca Da Ramini," "Hamlet," and "Slavonic March." Given that these recordings were recorded in the late '50s they have been remastered and sound great.

Anyone interested in Tchaikovsky pick this box set up. You won't be sorry. His performances here with the New York Philharmonic are beyond words.

While there are numerable recordings from the past and present of the six symphonies of Tchaikovsky few work together as well as this generous five CD box set. Leonard Bernstein was one of those conductors that many critics and audiences alike feel that when he was good he was extraordinary and when he was on an off night he was still satisfyingly important. And here on these discs we have the same situation. The recordings were made over a number of years and by different technicians and different first desk orchestra players and it shows. If his performances of symphonies 2 and 3 (the 'Little Russian' and the 'Polish') are not up to his spectacular interpretations of the symphonies 1, 4, 5, 6, we at least are offered compensation by the inclusion of the fantasy overtures 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Hamlet' and gut thumping renderings of the 'Slavonic March' and that tired old wonderful July 4th staple, the '1812 Festival Overture'.

In these recordings Bernstein seems more tame that he was at other times. His passion is intact and his commitment to the interweaving of orchestral themes is precise and balanced: his at times over the edge indulgence in emotional impact of the sake of emotional impact is absent here. That is not to say that when the, say, soaring love theme of the 6th happens it is not caressed with heart throbbing intensity, but he doesn't let those moments of unutterable beauty sound isolated: the thunder and the angst is balanced throughout all of these readings.

In all, for those who desire a set of all the Tchaikovsky symphonies together, this box set is as solid as they come. The CBS Masterworks recordings were not always as full bodied as those of other recording companies, but they were sensitive to so many other technical details, not the least of which was assuring that artists recorded their important contributions at the peak of their powers. And that is the way these five CDs come across. A fine bargain for so much magnificence. Grady Harp, July 11

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing this budget priced set of recordings, having ordered it primarily to obtain the out-of-print CD of Bernstein's 1960 recording of the 5th, an intense, brilliantly played and well recorded performance that has won the hearts of many collectors over the years. The 1975 recording of symphony 4, currently available on a DSD remastered CD has likewise enjoyed special status among collectors although i've never particularly liked the sound; it's clear but with a somewhat nasty edge only slightly improved by remastering. The 6th is a fine performance, perhaps overshadowed by Bernstein's DGG digital remake in the 1980s. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd are taut heartfelt performances recorded in the acoustically poor philharmonic hall but well worth acquiring for the asking price of this set. You also get a superb 1957 Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture, and equally intense performances of Francesca da Rimini, the March Slav and 1812 Festive Overture although the latter two suffer from the philharmonic hall acoustics.

I've heard complete sets by Janson's on Chandos, Rostropovich on EMI and Markevitch on Philips all of which have their merits, but I believe Bernstein comes closer than any of them save perhaps Rostropovich at mastering each of these symphonies. Especially nice to hear performances of the first 3 which are so neglected in the concert hall, although i've been fortunate to hear Tilson-Thomas program the 1st and 2nd at SF symphony performances. The EMI Rostropovich set if you can find it also includes the "Manfred" symphony which Bernstein loathed and never recorded. A shame because he would be a natural for it and its second and third movements are so lovely.


Those looking for the finest performances of each symphony need to find them individually. I recommend the following:
No. 1 "Winter Dreams", DGG Tilson-Thomas, Boston Symphony for its perfect tempi and beautiful sound.
No. 2 "Little Russian", Philips, Markevitch, LSO in a set of syms. 1-3. or Telarc, Maazel, Pittsburgh in digital sound.
No. 3 "Polish", Chandos, Jansons' Oslo Phil. or Naxos, Wit, Polish Radio both in outstanding digital sound.
No. 4, Telarc, Maazel & Cleveland Orch. (preferably the SACD version but CD is quite good), or Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orch. in analog.
No. 5, this Bernstein performance, or Sony, Ormandy, Philadelphia Orch.
No. 6, Sony, Rostropovich Natl. Sym. Orch recorded live in Russia, DGG Bernstein, NYPO, or Sony, Ormandy, Philadelphia Orch.
Manfred, EMI, Muti, Philharmonia Orch. The 1981 digital sound is outstanding, demonstration quality.

The Sony Ormandy recordings also include wonderful shorter pieces as well as an outstanding Serenade for Strings.

I would recommend this set to anyone who appreciates Bernstein's involved performances and who is aware of what a fine orch. the NYPO was back in the early 60s.

From the youthful and exuberant early symphonies to the later grand masterpieces, Tchaikovsky was never hesitant to bare his soul and express his most personal feelings in his works. This broad spectrum of emotional narrative calls for an orchestra, and a very special conductor, to interpret those intimate details and translate them into a musical experience that captures the composer, his triumph, his torment, and his genius.

Leonard Bernstein was truly born to conduct Tchaikovsky. The maestro's own trademark energy serves to inspire the New York Philharmonic to lofty heights of joy, and in contrast, spectacular descents into the aphotic realms of self-doubt and depression---just as the composer's own life unfolded.

There is a mood and a color for every listener here. And melody! Endless lines of passionate melodies for which Tchaikovsky is so fondly remembered. Bernstein's reading of the 6th symphony stands supreme above the vast and varied recordings over the decades. The "Pathetique" seems to offer a special license for conductors to exercise liberties with tempos and dynamics. Bernstein managed to find the ideal balance here, as he did with the entire symphony cycle, and this set offers a rewarding journey into the world of one of our greatest concert composers. This collection belongs on the shelf of every Tchaikovsky enthusiast or classical music lover.

These CDs comprehend the beautiful symphonies of one of the best in history!! Highly recommendable for the lovers of the best music.

Got this for my dad for Christmas. He taught me to love classical music. My mom says he's been playing it all the time, and they've been listening together. Her favorite is Romeo and Juliet, but she say's they're all great. She loves Tchaikovsky's frequent use of drums. Bernstein plays up the drama and emotionality, and keeps the tempo up. My dad (who is more discriminating about classical music than my mom) also likes Bernstein's approach. So there you go.

Tchaikovsky (T) is the perfect composer for people like my mom who love music but don't know much about classical music, because T's music is always tuneful and dramatic. You find yourself humming it afterwards, and you want to swing your arms around pretending to conduct. T is not a composer to fall asleep to. Personally, I can't listen to T when I'm trying to concentrate on something else -- he keeps grabbing my attention.

By the way, this CD set is called "Complete Symphonies," but it should add "plus Greatest Hits," because it has several other short famous pieces like Romeo and Juliet Overture, 1812 Overture, etc. So I think it's a real bargain.

First, I am not a lover of Bernstein's Tschaikovsky overall. Although I have to admit, Bernstein's Columbia recording of the 5th is standard. Otherwise, I prefer Svetlanov (Russian temperment)and Karajan (the perfect 4th and overall orchestral sound).
I bought this set for the 4th when I discovered that the 1974 (1975?) recording was used. I really liked this recording (until I heard Karajan's). The disappointing feature is the lack of clarity. I fondly remember (and still have) this performance on Quad vinyl. Quad, when listened to on stereo equipment, was brighter and more finely detailed then the stereo mixdowns. Those details are gone from this CD version. Sad, too, because they added so much to the performance.
What this all comes down to is that there is no perfect Tschaikovsky cycle. There are a lot of hits and misses out there. As an introduction, it is an excellent set. As one's taste grow, you're going to start looking for those inidvidual performances.