Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 1; Debussy: Images / Michael Tilson Thomas [Original recording remastered]

Claude Debussy (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Michael Tilson Thomas (Conductor), Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
• Composer: Claude Debussy, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (June 13, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00004R7X6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,350 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is an extremely welcome release for fans of Michael Tilson Thomas: the first CD appearance of a legendary recording with the Boston Symphony he made (as its new assistant conductor) in March 1970. At that point (still only in his mid-20s), Tilson Thomas was becoming notorious for introducing provocative new music by the likes of Steve Reich, but he was also stirring up a rather moribund classical music scene. Just imagine the ethos in those days, when talk of the demise of the symphony orchestra as an absurd irrelevance was gloomier even than it is now: in rushed MTT with a super-infusion of excitement and confidence to rouse the players--and the audience. MTT was already proving his deep affinity with Russian composers (which would be followed many years later by his enormously successful accounts of Prokofiev and Stravinsky).

This is, in fact, one of the finest readings on record of Tchaikovsky's First Symphony (subtitled, with greater programmatic élan than usual, Winter Dreams), lushly expansive in its reveries (the veiled beauty of the slow movement as it unfolds its mournful folk song) but also crisp and pointed, dramatically tense, and featuring sinewy balances of wind, brass, and strings. The Tchaikovsky is worth the price of purchase itself, but the CD also includes a bracing vision of Debussy's Images. MTT's view of this sonic triptych shows a rhythmic vigor that will overturn stereotypes of vague, amorphous "impressionism" (a labeling Debussy, of course, always detested). At midprice, this is a must-have for your collection. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Super, June 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 1; Debussy: Images / Michael Tilson Thomas (Audio CD)

This recording, one of the first Michael Tilson Thomas made as a conductor, is probably the best reading of Tchaikovsky's First Symphony. The playing by the Boston Symphony is first rate. It was made during the early 1970s when the orchestra was considered the best orchestra in performance of the French Impressionists, so the playing in the Debussy is very subtle and relaxed. Sadly, the playing of this orchestra has declined through the years, mainly because of the long tenure of the Seiji Ozawa as music director, which will thankfully come to an end soon. Tilson Thomas, however, shines throughout. This is an insightful, fresh look into both works.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical debut!, May 6, 2006

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 1; Debussy: Images / Michael Tilson Thomas (Audio CD)

Michael Tilson Thomas debut with the Boston symphonic could not be more endearing and promissory.

"Winter dreams" constitutes a heartfelt homage to Tchaikovsky' s birth land. An eloquent and evocative description of those places, nestled in the fevered imagination of this composer. The sumptuous work is filled of visual images, of engaging melodies, arresting passages of regenerative energy.

Thomas made one of the most incandescent versions still available. And additionally, the presence of this prestigious Orchestra that still maintained the diamantine status conferred by Koussevitzky and Munch.

Debussy Images is exotic loaded of enigmatic charm.

An unforgettable performance, recommended without reserves not only for the musical dilettantes, but besides for the new listener generations, who will be able to understand through this interpretation that sentiment and sentimentalism are quite different issues.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A release that documents MTT's dazzling early days, January 12, 2012

By 

Andrew R. Barnard (Leola, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 1; Debussy: Images / Michael Tilson Thomas (Audio CD)

This DG Originals release comes from the early seventies, when Michael Tilson Thomas was beginning his career. He didn't begin his career without acclaim, being too often referred to as the "new Leonard Bernstein". As the liner notes reveal, when MTT came to Boston, the orchestra was under Steinberg, whose health and interest as a conductor had declined after assuming his post. A young hero like MTT was a welcome sight for the orchestra, and in turn MTT got to conduct on of the greatest orchestras this side of the pond.

The disc opens with the Tchaikovsky's 1st Symphony. A youthful, ambitious work, it fits well with the new young conductor. MTT doesn't try to make the symphony anything it isn't but he does know how to have fun. Some may feel that he could have given even more, but this stands up very well against the Karajan/Berlin DG account that would come out in the late 70's. Karajan goes for grandeur in the work, missing a lot of the potential delight. MTT offers much more charm, with a greater feeling of vitality. So MTT has proven that he can compete with Herbie. So far so good.

But the Tchaikovsky doesn't prepare us for what is coming in the Debussy. Here MTT surpasses himself with dazzling conducting. Not a moment goes by without something memorable happening. Boston plays with their all, giving the kind of playing that only a front rank orchestra can give. Debussy asks for sensitivity and the ability to make impressionistic sounds. But it's too easy to become cerebral playing him, to strive for perfection to the point that the life leaves the works. MTT offers a perfect solution to the Debussy "problem", as he produces the most exquisite sounds while still keeping in lots of excitement. It's truly remarkable how MTT make such driven music while keeping all of the impressionistic elements.

In closing, this disc features two great performances of two very different works. In both, Michael Tilson Thomas makes very persuasive music, but it's the Debussy that makes this disc extra special.