Soundbite 60
Here we write a short précis of a CD or DVD giving you a concise summary in a sixty-word soundbite
Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 (Winter Dreams)
Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 (Little Russian)
Symphony No.3 in D, Op.20 (Polish)
Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36
Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 (Pathétique)
Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 (Winter Dreams)
Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 (Little Russian)
Symphony No.3 in D, Op.20 (Polish)
Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36
Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 (Pathétique)
Reviewed by: Colin Anderson
Reviewed: December 2010
CD No: NEWTON CLASSICS 8802036 (4 CDs)
Duration: 4 hours 17 minutes
These passionate, detailed, superbly played performances still sound great. Markevitch conducts the underestimated first three symphonies with panache and conviction, conjuring thrilling and moving versions of the others. Unnecessarily, timing-wise, Symphony 2 is broken between discs; regrettably, the Byron-inspired Manfred is missing despite Markevitch and the LSO recording it. A separate issue is required to properly complete Tchaikovsky’s symphony cycle.