Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 / Hamlet (fantasy overture), Op.67 (Bernstein Royal Edition No. 93) [Original recording remastered]

Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), New York Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (November 2, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027O3
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,334 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo - Leonard Bernstein

2. II. Allegro con grazia - Leonard Bernstein

3. III. Allegro molto vivace

4. IV. Finale. Adagio lamentoso - Andante

5. Hamlet, fantasy-overture for orchestra in F minor, Op. 67

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Maestro must have been on methamphetamines!, March 30, 1999

By 

Douglas Beckerman (Sherman Oaks, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 / Hamlet (fantasy overture), Op.67 (Bernstein Royal Edition No. 93) (Audio CD)

For about the last 20 years of Leonard Bernstein's life, his readings became increasingly bizarre...particularly of the Romantics. His remakes of the last three Tchaikovsky symphonies on DG are very disturbing in their push-pull music-making. Prestos are transmogrified into Allegros and Andantes are suddenly Lentos. In his remake of the Pathetique, the running time of the last movement is double what it was in the original recording of the score. The 1964 recording has "Lenny" at his most inspired, if not in fact, a bit overheated. The first movement is a frenzy of what I believe to be "appropriate" hysteria. It is also a bit funny, if disconcerting to hear one or several musicians turning the score pages seconds prior to the orchestral sforzando in the first movement. The march has a kinetic power and drive that has as yet to be matched in any subsequent Sixth put to disc in the last 35 years. The Adagio that ends this work will break your heart. It is the most anguished and melancholy outcry and the Philharmonic plays this with deep passion and conviction. Once you hear the playing of the last movement on this CD, you will never forget it. The Hamlet Overture is unjustly neglected as a performance piece and this 1971 recording does itself proud with the appropriate underlined dramatic flourishes and moments of gentle reflection. This disc is a major winner. At a budget price, you will not go wrong!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best I've Heard!, July 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 / Hamlet (fantasy overture), Op.67 (Bernstein Royal Edition No. 93) (Audio CD)

Great recording. Bernstein and the NYP works well together to bring the passion and soulfulness out of the symphopny and into our ears. Sound quality could be a bit better but over all it was exciting and moving. If you don't like the NYP or Bernstein then try the BPO with Karajan or the Leningrad with Marinsky.