Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Georg Solti - The Tchaikovsky Album (1997)

  • 24 Oct, 08:49
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Artist:
Title: The Tchaikovsky Album
Year Of Release: 1997
Label: Decca
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Total Time: 02:07:39
Total Size: 602 Mb
WebSite:

Tracklist:

CD 1
1. 1812 Overture, Op. 49 14:54
2. Romeo And Juliet - Fantasy Overture 20:15
The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a
3a. I. Overture Miniature 3:17
3b. II. Danses Caracteristiques
4. Marche 2:29
5. Danse De La Fee Dragee / Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy 1:45
6. Danse Russe (Trepak) 1:08
7. Danse Arabe 3:37
8. Danse Chinoise 1:14
9. Danse Des Mirlitons / Dance Of The Reed Pipes 2:40
10. Valse Des Fleurs / Waltz Of The Flowers 7:04

CD 2
Swan Lake - Suite
1. I. Scene - Le Lac Des Cygnes 2:46
2. II. Valse 6:55
3. III. Danse Des Cygnes 1:34
4. IV. Scene 6:58
5. V. Danse Hongroise (Czardas) 3:11
6. VI. Danse Espagnole 2:59
7. VII. Danse Napolitaine 2:12
Symphony No. 6 In B Minor, Op. 74 'Pathetique'
8. I. Adagio - Allegro Non Troppo 17:36
9. II. Allegro Con Grazia 7:49
10. III. Allegro Molto Vivace 8:10
11. IV. Finale: Adagio Lamentoso - Andante 9:17

Performers:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Solti worked the CSO into fantastic shape during his career there and it shows in these recordings -- in phrasing, in attack, in tempo, and in dynamics. The performances on this CD are my favorites of each of these pieces.
I may, perhaps, deduct a quarter star (or so) for the reckless tempo in the second movement of the Pathetique (where there are some noticeable moments that aren't fully together, perhaps due to that tempo). And yet even in that movement the wonderful attack the strings afford on the pizzicato moments, and the grace with which the woodwinds carry through, is worth the price of admission. This rendition of the third movement, the March Militaire, completely blows me away. There's an almost arrogant "in your face" approach to the movement, dramatically undercut by the Adagio in the finale, by which I think Tchaikovsky meant to remind us that every serious March Militaire leads to a far more serious lament. Solti and the CSO get that just right here, as the Adagio finale pulls hard at the heartstrings.
At any rate, this conductor and this orchestra coax the marrow out of these scores: the composer's romantic sensibilities are here in full, rich display. Even if this is a greatest hits album, and even if you're a classical music snob (like me), it's worth a listen.