Tchaikovsky: 1812; Mussorgsky / Solti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), Sergey Prokofiev (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Modest Mussorgsky, Sergey Prokofiev, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (May 10, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca / London
• ASIN: B0000041Y5
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,550 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade - Gnomes [The Gnome]

2. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade - ll vecchio castello [The Old Cast

3. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Promenade - Tuileries [The Tuileries Gardens]

4. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Bydio - Promenade

5. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Ballet descpoussins dans leurs coques [Ballet

6. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle [Two Jews-One

7. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: LimogesL le marché [The Market Place, Limoges

8. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: Catacombae [The Catacombs[ - Cum mortuis in l

9. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: La Cabane sur despattes de poule [The Hut on

10. Pictures at an Exhibition (Kartinki s vïstavski), for orchestra, orchestrated by Ravel: La grande porte de Kiev [The Horses' Gate at

11. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Allegro Con Brio

12. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Larghetto

13. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Gavotte. Non troppo Allegro

14. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Finale. Molto Vivace

15. 1812 -- Festival Overture, for orchestra in E flat major, Op. 49

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Exciting "Pictures" and "1812" with Great Sound Quality!, April 10, 2006

By 

goodmusicman (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Mussorgsky / Solti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD)

Solti's recording of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (Ravel orchestrated version) is still among the most exciting and powerful out there. The Chicago brass is simply jaw-dropping in its power and the recorded sound makes it sound like the brass is being played right next to you! I have found no serious mistakes in the playing, as one reviewer here alleges, and I find the playing of the orchestra throughout to be of the highest quality: polished, disciplined and virtuosic. Solti's tempos and pacing are absolutely perfect all the way through. There aren't many more exciting Pictures in demonstration-quality sound out there, (the Kuchar/Ukraine performance on Naxos is great but the sound isn't as good and the orchestra not as polished), so I wouldn't hesitate to get this just for the Pictures. (Unfortunately, there's no shortage of tame performances of this work out there, or performances which speed through the climaxes, robbing them of their impact).

The Classical Symphony of Prokofiev is given a vigorous, lively, and rousing performance here, which emphasizes the Prokofiev in the work, as opposed to the classicism it pretends to imitate. The tempos are brisk and the brass is very prominent, making this a more modernist take on this symphony, grounding it firmly in the twentieth century. It is also my personal favorite recording of the work.

The 1812 Overture is very exciting, with brisk tempos and a no-nonsense approach overall. The best performance is still the Dorati/Minneapolis recording on Mercury, but the analog sound on that one isn't spectacular. This Solti recording would be my first choice for a digital recording of the work.

The combination of exciting playing and excellent sound has made this one of the most frequently-played CDs in my colection.
At mid-price, this CD is also a real bargain, and should be in your collection as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1812 Overture Outstanding, June 14, 2006

By 

Patricia Sbarra (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Mussorgsky / Solti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD)

I just returned from a drive in my car, the local public radio station playing my favorite classical piece -- The 1812 Overture. I was delighted when the "finale" began as I pulled into the privacy of my garage. I sat there, mesmerized, and reduced to tears as the "glorious percussion" (to quote another reviewer) brought visions of fireworks and lined-up cannons. I waited long enough to get the name of the orchestra and the conductor and raced to my computer to put in an order. I have heard this recording before, but never was able to get the information needed to buy it. Now I can. I hope the other music on the CD is decent, but quite honestly, I feel the Overture alone is worth the purchase. As I think about it, if it sounded that good on my car radio, imagine how exciting it's going to be on my stereo!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional, November 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: 1812; Mussorgsky / Solti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD)

A great disc. I agree with the other reviewer in saying the Pictures and the 1812 are outstanding. I think what impresses me as much as anything is the recorded sound. It is in the demonstration bracket. This 1812 will absolutely blow you away. Play it loud! The best version available in my opinion. The Classical symphony is also a treat. The best of the Solti collection.