Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 & Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture

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Nelsons and the CBSO respond to the Pathétique symphony's mood of fate-shrouded tragedy in a way that's lyrical rather than melodramatic...Even among the formidable recorded competition, the... — Classic FM Magazine, February 2011, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 8th Nov 2010
Catalogue No: C832101A
Label: Orfeo
Length: 65 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

May 2011

Editor's Choice

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture, TH 42 (3rd Version)

Work length19:21

$4.00

$5.15

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons

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

Work length45:54

$11.00

$14.20

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons

I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo

Track length18:46

$4.00

$5.15

II. Allegro con gracia

Track length7:44

$2.00

$2.60

III. Allegro molto vivace

Track length8:41

$2.00

$2.60

IV. Finale. Adagio lamentoso

Track length10:43

$3.00

$3.85

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The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and its music director Andris Nelsons here present their second Tchaikovsky CD, in an ongoing cycle, for Orfeo. Besides the Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet, we offer his Symphony No. 6 in B minor, the so-called ‘Pathétique’. If one takes the first version of Romeo as a starting point, then a full 25 years lie between these two works (the Symphony reached its first performance only nine days before the sudden, mysterious death of its composer). But both works bear the marks of Tchaikovsky’s emotion-laden compositional style. They alternate between a brooding, muffled downheartedness and a sudden effervescence and rearing up; and Nelsons and the CBSO follow these emotional gear-changes closely from bar to bar. This performance offers the full and varied palette of Tchaikovsky’s lush and glowing orchestration, from the brusque accents in the wind and gnarled embellishments in the strings in the faster sections to the downright ecstasy of the broad melodic passages.

Yet over it all there reigns a lucid clarity, which allows for a soulful treatment of the musical motives that is never geared just for effect nor descends into mawkishness, be this in the love motive of Romeo and Juliet, the chorale in the first movement of the 'Pathétique' or the (death?) march in the third. To Andris Nelsons, this symphony has a continuous pulse that can be heard from the very beginning that signifies Tchaikovsky’s insight into his unavoidable fate – and we can hear it in this interpretation. This is important to Nelsons, for above and beyond the beauties of this music he has a deep concern for its earnest, deeply personal messages – whether euphoric, pugnacious or resigned – both in the Overture and in the Symphony. And indeed, the CBSO and Andris Nelsons make Tchaikovsky’s passion and melancholy so compelling that listening makes one forget one’s reserve, leaving one both deeply impressed and moved.

Reviews

February 2011

Nelsons and the CBSO respond to the Pathétique symphony's mood of fate-shrouded tragedy in a way that's lyrical rather than melodramatic...Even among the formidable recorded competition, the CBSO's classy, supple playing is a major asset, reflecting Nelsons's impressive influence.

11th December 2010

Andris Nelsons draws nuanced playing from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

May 2011

the Pathétique receives a deeply felt interpretation as painstakingly prepared as it is beautifully proportioned. Right from the outset, one cannot fail to be struck by the healthy sheen, tasteful refinement and infectious temperament displayed by the Birmingham orchestra...Nelsons is not afraid to cut loose when the music demands it...A Pathétique of considerable distinction, then, and it's preceded by a comparably winning account of Romeo and Juliet.

January 2011

Nelsons's conception of the first movement leaves nothing to chance. Sombre but never earthbound, the slow introduction leads seamlessly to a first subject whose fugitive progress is the more ominous for its understatement.

18th December 2013

His performances can stand comparison with the best...In these performances you won’t find novelty for the sake of it, yet somehow Nelsons manages to make both these familiar works sound fresh...The playing is very eloquent and the reading has a strong emotional charge. I was very moved by it.

21st January 2011

There are recordings of Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” that wring every last drop of gloom from the music. But I’m not sure that makes them more affecting than this intelligent, beautifully paced performance...Nelsons makes the groping emergence of the first movement cohere with almost Beethoven-like purposefulness, and he brings out the balletic grace of the music.

The Independent on Sunday 5th December 2010

The choir of low woodwind, stinging fugato and dewily youthful love theme [of the Overture] are vividly contrasted. Tchaikovsky's last symphony is more challenging. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra strings use a lot of bow, and a little too much fabric conditioner in the valedictory 'Adagio Lamentoso'.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 & Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture

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