Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 (The Royal Edition, No. 89 of 100)

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (November 2, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027NZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #463,033 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Winter Dreams'), Op. 13: Daydrems of a winter journey, Allegro tranquillo

2. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Winter Dreams'), Op. 13: Land of gloom, land of mist, Adagio cantabile, ma non tanto

3. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Winter Dreams'), Op. 13: Scherzo, Allegro scherzando giocoso

4. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Winter Dreams'), Op. 13: Finale, Andante elgubre - Allegro moderato

5. Symphony No. 2 in C minor ('Little Russian'), Op. 17: Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo

6. Symphony No. 2 in C minor ('Little Russian'), Op. 17: Andantino marziale, quasi moderato

7. Symphony No. 2 in C minor ('Little Russian'), Op. 17: Scherzo, Allegro molto vivace

8. Symphony No. 2 in C minor ('Little Russian'), Op. 17: Finale, Moderato Assai - Allegro vivo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tchaikovsky: the Symphonist, April 19, 2007

By 

Joe Anthony "Joe Anthony" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 (The Royal Edition, No. 89 of 100) (Audio CD)

Tchaikovsky's first three symphonies are somewhat under-rated; though why-I do not know: they are full of power, personality and Tchaikovsky's never-ending fund of melody. The music is also very Russian in the use of folk elements, thematic material and that sad suffering soul quality that permeates Russian art. Bernstein does a great job in unlocking the flavor on these first two symphonies: #1 "Winter Dreams" (indeed evoking the long, cold, snowy expanses of Russia; and #2 "Little Russian" which is a kind of symphonic tribute to the homeland (the opening of the forth movement sounds a bit like a main theme from the 1812 Overture).

Comparison: Karajan/BPO

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than these reviews would have you believe, May 2, 2005

By 

Whisperkey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 (The Royal Edition, No. 89 of 100) (Audio CD)

I just rediscovered these aver 25 years.

The sound is very intimate with lots of detail. You can really hear them making them music. Violins are a bit harsh at times, but lower strings are detailed and transparent. Excellent solo wind playing and exciting performances.

Worth a try, especially if these Symphonies are new to you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scintillating but musically balanced performances, April 20, 2009

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 (The Royal Edition, No. 89 of 100) (Audio CD)

For years I had assumed that these recordings of the Tchaikovsky First Sym. (from 1970) and his Second (from 1967) were done out of duty, presumably to satisfy columbia Records desire for a complete Tchaikovsky symphony cycle from one of the star conductors. And since the recording venue, Avery Fisher Hall, has such bad acoustics, I also assumed that the sound would be dry and shallow. On both counts I was wrong.

These are scintillating readings, full of buoyancy and Bernstein's natural exuberance. They don't veer into the balletic pastel tones that color tilson Thomas in Sym. #1 -- although his Boston recording on DG is one of his best -- nor are they exaggeratedly emotional, as tended to happen with late Bernstein. He keeps to balance and proportion while at the same time never letting a single rhythm go slack. Given that both works are repetitious, it's a rare performance that keeps a listener attention in every bar, but Bernstein manages to. Moreover, the sound is excellent -- a bit distant at times but wide-ranging, dynamic, and natural. In short, a winner on all counts.