Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" / Romeo and Juliet / Chabrier: España / Karajan

Emmanuel Chabrier (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Emmanuel Chabrier, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (October 17, 2000)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics Imports
• ASIN: B000002ST1
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,174 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Espana Rhapsody

2. Fantasy Overture

3. I: Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo

4. II: Allegro Con Grazia

5. III: Allegro Molto Vivace

6. IV: Finale (Adagio Lamentoso - Andante)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the better Karajan/Tchaikovsky Sixths, January 23, 2003

By 

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" / Romeo and Juliet / Chabrier: España / Karajan (Audio CD)

This account of Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" is one of Karajan's better efforts, and, for him, relatively emotional. I have not yet listened to the Chabrier Espana, and I will probably ignore Romeo and Juliet because I feel its overratedness contributes to its excessive appearance on discs. I suppose because I'm not an avid Karajan fan and follower that I've shortchanged myself somewhat on discovering a side of this conductor I had thought was uncommon at best. Others more familiar with his career have said that Karajan used to be more flexible years ago, and then, in time, became more concerned with tailoring or packaging, even controlling, the kind of musical style he was interested in selling to audiences. With the exception of his Beethoven and the Prokoviev Fifth and Shostakovich Tenth Symphonies, I've not exactly cottoned to that style. In particular, I've usually found his Tchaikovsky lacking in emotional depth, though I haven't really argued with his sense of drive and power in showcasing this composer. Here, however, in this 1949 performance with the fabled Vienna Philharmonic, a fair portion of the music is played in a sympathetic way. In particular, the second movement is very nicely done. The tragic elements are also well handled. My criticism is that Karajan exhibits an occasional tendency to slow the pace a little too much in some passages. All things considered, however, a nice performance, in mono but very good sound.

4.0 out of 5 stars A revelation, November 3, 2010

By 

Bernard Michael O'Hanlon (Wilsons Prom, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" / Romeo and Juliet / Chabrier: España / Karajan (Audio CD)

With the possible exception of his pre-War effort, Karajan was always a master of the Tchaikovsky Sixth. To the end of his days, he was never less than magisterial in this work.

Make no mistake, this 1948 version is a fearsome beast. Perhaps it is less imbued with holy madness than his later versions but it is none the worse for that. The Romeo and Juliet overture is a legendary recording; sone say that it has not been surpassed to this very day; the Karajan digital remake form September 1982 cannot hold a candle to it Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet; The Nutcracker Suite.

The Vienna Philarmonic play superlatively. And as the reviewer above has commented, the sound is astounding for the period - one of those horridly flat mono-recordings from the Fifties it aint.

Buy this disc with confidence, if you can find it !