Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique'

“Eschenbach conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra in a vivid, deeply passionate performance of Tchaikovsky’s final work, the Pathetique Symphony. The opening explodes with a mighty punch, and the brasses sound as if hurrying a convict to the scaffold. The composer is clearly in turmoil – the stuttering phrases are queasy, while there is more than a hint of sour wedding bells in the falling pizzicato. The truncated waltz of the second movement is a little treacly, but this is the only blemish. The naughty gaiety and climactic end of the third is good for premature applause, while the exhausted finale welcomes serene oblivion. The final ten minutes are filled with a mourning piano solo, Dumka Op 59.” The Times, 27th June 2008 ****

"The music on this recording is highly charged and very emotional,” says Paavo Järvi. “Tchaikovsky, who experienced many ups and downs in his life, was a master at putting his own intense feelings into his compositions. Listeners can hear this especially in his Sixth Symphony and his musical depiction of the timeless love story of Romeo and Juliet.”