Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-3

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Gergiev's frequent use of striking contrasts of tempos between themes, or even dramatic pauses, as in the slow movement, often makes Tchaikovsky's First sound like a close relation to a Bruckner... — BBC Music Magazine, January 2013, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 24th Sep 2012
Catalogue No: LSO0710
Label: LSO Live
Length: 2 hours 5 minutes

Presto Recording of the Week

17th September 2012

This item is currently out of stock at the UK distributor. You may order it now but please be aware that it may be six weeks or more before it can be despatched.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13 'Winter Daydreams'

Work length43:30

$5.40

$6.75

$7.90

Valéry Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra

I. Allegro tranquillo

Track length12:02

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

II. Adagio cantabile ma non tanto

Track length12:05

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

III. Scherzo. Allegro scherzando giocoso

Track length7:13

$1.20

$1.50

$1.75

IV. Finale. Andante lugubre - Allegro maestoso

Track length12:10

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 'Little Russian'

Work length34:31

$4.80

$6.00

$7.00

Valéry Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra

I. Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo

Track length11:59

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato

Track length7:15

$1.20

$1.50

$1.75

III. Scherzo. Allegro molto vivace

Track length5:36

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

IV. Finale. Moderato assai - Allegro vivo

Track length9:41

$1.20

$1.50

$1.75

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 'Polish'

Work length47:57

$6.40

$8.00

$9.35

Valéry Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra

I. Introduzione e allegro. Moderato assai

Track length14:54

$1.60

$2.00

$2.35

II. Alla tedesca. Allegro moderato e semplice

Track length7:20

$1.20

$1.50

$1.75

III. Andante elegiaco

Track length10:33

$1.40

$1.75

$2.05

IV. Scherzo. Allegro vivo

Track length5:50

$1.00

$1.25

$1.45

V. Finale. Allegro con fuoco

Track length9:20

$1.20

$1.50

$1.75

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Recording of the Week, Tchaikovsky’s Early Symphonies

17th September 2012

Valery Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra makes hugely persuasive cases for Tchaikovsky’s neglected first three symphonies, Winter Daydreams, the ‘Little Russian’ and the ‘Polish’, in live performances given in London and Zurich last spring.

Tchaikovsky’s early trio of symphonies have long lived in the shadow of the three that followed. Following his acclaimed Mariinsky DVD of the final three symphonies, which received Choc de l’annee in France, Valery Gergiev conducts outstanding performances of the earlier works with the LSO.

Tchaikovsky’s early symphonies are full of the rich expressive melodies, for which he had a natural talent, with influences of Russian nationalism and folk tunes, particularly in the ‘Little Russian’, No. 2. The choreographer George Balanchine exploited the dance-like nature of the Third Symphony by using it as the basis for the final part of his ballet masterpiece, 'Jewels'.

Throughout the Autumn Valery Gergiev will conduct the complete Brahms and Szymanowski cycles with the LSO in London, Edinburgh, Paris and Luxembourg. They also tour to the USA and Germany. Gergiev’s recent recordings on LSO Live include an acclaimed recording of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances and Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements. His award-winning Mahler cycle will be released as a 10-SACD box set in October.

Reviews

January 2013

Gergiev's frequent use of striking contrasts of tempos between themes, or even dramatic pauses, as in the slow movement, often makes Tchaikovsky's First sound like a close relation to a Bruckner symphony. Yet, such is the affection with which Gergiev shapes this work that it never descends to bathos.

November 2012

Gergiev’s handling of dynamic is expert…the orchestra is at its best here

17th September 2012

the playing is so committed and expressive that I can’t imagine a better account than the one given here by the LSO, and I must admit I am rather fond of the fourth movement: a fast-paced, virtuosic scherzo, with strident trombone solos, dashing violins, and swirling, mercurial flutes and clarinets. The last movement is pretty exciting too, and to be fair does provide a satisfying conclusion to the piece.

16th September 2012

what lovely and characteristic things are to be found in them, how full of Tchaikovskian panache, melodic richness and rhythmic vitality they are, and how brightly they shine in these vivid performances

6th September 2012

Gergiev can transform works that often seem problematic into something compelling and totally coherent. In this set, he does exactly that with the Third...which he not only reveals as a totally convincing reworking of traditional symphonic form...but links it dramatically with Tchaikovsky's operas... both [the First & Second] are full of wonderful touches, of sharply etched detail, vivid colours and tremendous focused energy.

30th September 2012

This budget-price, immaculately recorded double album is a revelation; Valery Gergiev’s pin-sharp attention to detail and rhythmic zest making each work seem much bigger and bolder than usual, far more than sequences of balletic interludes...Essential listening.

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-3

2 SACDs

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Recording of the Week, Tchaikovsky’s Early Symphonies

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