Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 / Serenade for Strings

Tchaikovsky (Composer), Evgeny Svetlanov (Conductor), USSR Symphony (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: USSR Symphony
• Conductor: Evgeny Svetlanov
• Composer: Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (September 17, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Melodiya
• ASIN: B000001HDJ
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,174 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: Symphony No. 4in F Minor,Op.36: Andante sostenuto; Moderato con anima

2. Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: Symphony No. 4in F Minor,Op.36: Andantino In modo di canzona

3. Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: Symphony No. 4in F Minor,Op.36: Scherzo: Pizzicato ostinato (Allegro)

4. Symphony No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 36: Symphony No. 4in F Minor,Op.36: Finale: Allegro con fuoco

5. Serenade For Strings, Op. 48: Serenade for Strings, Op.48: Pezzo In forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo; Allegro moderato

6. Serenade For Strings, Op. 48: Serenade for Strings, Op.48: Valse: Moderato

7. Serenade For Strings, Op. 48: Serenade for Strings, Op.48: Elegia: Larghetto

8. Serenade For Strings, Op. 48: Serenade for Strings, Op.48: Finale (Tema russo): Andante; Allegro con spirito

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Other recordings want to be this one when they grow up!, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 / Serenade for Strings (Audio CD)

Tchaikovsky wrote a great many pieces and in almost every style. This recording can show that all by itself!

This Russian recording from the 60's shows strong technique, ensemble, and musicianship, but that's not the point. Lots of recordings are available that do that just fine. The difference between this recording and others is that this one burns with passion. The strings aren't just hot-they're on fire. The woodwinds dance with a dizzying agility, and the brass aren't only big and loud, they make a move for global domination. Instead of jumping when you hear the percussion, you'll launch. It isn't grossly done, it's simply done without the pretense of artifical limits on the contrasts Tchaikovsky writes.

Playing in this extreme style is like fast driving-small mistakes can become big disasters quickly. But the conductor drives with utmost skill, and things stay together and in tempo. This also indicates a great deal of skill in the orchestra, a group I'd not heard much about before.

After blowing your sox off with the Symphony, they show you the Serenade for Strings. You wonder if they included it just to prove they could also play softer, slower, and still in control. Whatever the reason, they can, and they do.

Many recordings aim to sound like this and fall short. Sometimes they lack the skills, sometimes they lack the conviction to play with this passion. This is the Fourth Symphony they want to be when they grow up!

Now, look at the price. Well?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Passionate, fierce, thrilling, January 12, 2008

By 

S. G. Oles (Seattle, WA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 / Serenade for Strings (Audio CD)

Here's a really RUSSIAN performance of great Russian music. The big climaxes of the fourth symphony erupt and flow like molten lava. It's enough to make the genteel editors of the Penguin Guide to Compact Discs wet their pants. lol

Then you get to cool down with the highly civilized charms of the Serenade. A great program, a great disk. One to play for anyone who thinks classical music is dry or boring.