Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3; Concert Fantasy

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Vladimir Fedoseyev (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra), Mikhail Pletnev (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mikhail Pletnev
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra of London
• Conductor: Vladimir Fedoseyev
• Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (May 5, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000632M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,206 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, April 21, 2002

By 

Alexander Cronin (Boston, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3; Concert Fantasy (Audio CD)

This is absolutely one of the best purchases I've ever made. Not only do you get Tchaikovsky's works with piano and orchestra--including of course the much neglected second concerto and the mysterious third--digitally recorded, but you get it at an amazing price; if this were under the DG label it would probably cost three times as much!
The interpretations of this piece are played just as a normal person would like them--straightforward and musically, with none of the odd tempo changes and such that the non-English speaker below so vehemently states. The music gives you all you could ask for--an addictive performance that's never stale. Pletnev plays in all the appropriate ways; dazzlingly on the sparking runs, majestic on the rich two-hand chords, expressively during lyrical moments--he plays in such a manner that it's impossible to question both Pletnev and Fedoseyev's interpretation of these masterpieces.
The sound on this CD is simply amazing--I was slightly nervous when opening the case for the first time; two DDD CDs from a less popular label proudly displaying a pianist and conductor I'd never heard of, all for an amazing price--but I wasn't disappointed at all. The sound is crystal clear and every note can be heard without straining, with enough echo to sound full but enough ambience to prevent blurring of the orchestra.
The only complaint I have is that the CD isn't recorded as loudly as I would've liked--I prefer the opening four notes of the first concerto to blow me out of my seat, but this CD is just below that point. Of course the music is still wonderful and audible; those of us who've gone deaf from sitting near trumpets in an ensemble will just have to turn up the volume a tad :)

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, April 16, 2001

By 

Stephen (New Haven, CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3; Concert Fantasy (Audio CD)

This is a great bargain for a Tchaikovsky fan or would-be fan looking to get the piano concertos. Pletnev is an incredible pianist. Sure, there are others who do parts of these concertos better, but then there are parts that he does better than all the rest, too. Don't limit yourself to one recording of the first piano concerto, but this one makes a fine start.

The second is much harder to find, so I'm really happy they've made it accessible in this set, and for such a great price. Again it's very well executed. And for those who haven't heard it yet, you've got a treat coming! You may or may not like it as well as the first (I do), but in any case rest assured that it is as full of beautiful Tchaikovsky melodies.

The third is uncompleted -- quite nice, but I don't listen to it much, and so can't comment here.

What really makes this a special set, though, is the inclusion of the Concert Fantasy. I had never heard it before, and for awhile ignored it, assuming it was just there as filler. It's not: it's a stunningly beautiful piece that you should be sure to listen to. I hadn't even heard OF it before I got this set, and whether that was my fault or that of the Powers that Be, I thank the producers for introducing it to me here. It will remain one of my favorites.

Stephen

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravura Tchaikovsky, December 13, 2000

By 

Alex Serrano (Perrysburg, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-3; Concert Fantasy (Audio CD)

Probably one of the most difficult aspects of performing these works is deciding what qualities of these concertos to emphasize such as structure, lyricism, bravura, dance, etc. The music indeed seems to trascends so many moods that most pianists have a very hard time balancing this act and there is an inmense discography of these concertos of disjoint and loosely-knit performances.

Pletnev pushes a straightforward bravura approach with lyrical interludes - and his performance pays off brilliantly. He has the virtuoso technique and bel-canto gifts to do so, and more importantly in my modest view this is the way these concertos should be performed. Tchaikovsky wrote these works as war horses with huge demands for the performer and they should be played as such. Dont get me wrong though as these are not just display works, and those great Tchaikovsky melodies are abundant.

Pletnev manages to put these works together and probably has recorded the most comprehensive set available since Gilels. The sound and balance is very good all throughout, and at this budget price it should be anyone's best option.