Valery Gergiev - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 (2005) [SACD]

The two Tchaikovsky symphonies were recorded in Vienna’s Musikverein, No. 4 October 17-21, 2002, No. 6 September 2-4, 2004. Philip Siney was balance engineer and sound mixer for both, Jürgen Bulgrin was engineer for both assisted by Andrew Wedman (No. 4) and Wolf-Dieter Karwatky (No. 6). In spite of being recorded two years apart, sound just about the same: big, rich and impactful conveying Gergiev’s high-powered interpretations. The Vienna orchestra plays magnificently in both with resplendent brass punctuating the end of the development section of the first movement of No. 6. There is a great deal of information coming from all speakers most of the time providing a fine concert-hall effect—but listening closely to rear speakers it seems there a touch of time delay has been added. However the engineers processed these recordings, the result is entirely satisfactory. A definite minus is the fact that neither symphony has a filler; there’s no excuse for such short playing time on full-priced SACDs.


Tracks:

1. Andante sostenuto – Moderato con anima – Moderato assai, quasi Andante – Allegro vivo
2. Andantino in modo di canzone
3. Scherzo. Pizzicato ostinato – Allegro
4. Finale (Allegro con fuoco)

Personnel:

Valery Gergiev,
Vienna Philharmonic