What are the best Tchaikovsky recordings?

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calaf tipped by tyson I got the Violin Concerto played by Kyung Wha Chung and I sure did not regret it. Of the various recordings available I got this Double Decca from berkshire http://www.berkshirerecordoutlet.com...dOr=AND&RPP=25 which also has a good, idiomatic Piano Concerto No 1 EDIT: infact it has all three piano concertos but I tend to listen always to No 1 which is the same CD where the violin concerto is...

I only know about the first piano concerto from the bad reviews, but I have the older release of the Postnikova 2nd p concerto and it's a clanker -- pounded out, plodding and awful, aside from also being the Siloti edition without the string solos. However, considering the price of this cd, just throw out the Postnikova cd as it's far from necessary. This is probably the only place you can find Chung's violin concerto with Dutoit and the Montreal symphony orchestra, but you can get her debut recording with Previn which includes the Mendelssohn violin concerto with Dutoit that was originally paired with it on the 2 disc set below as well as the Beethoven and Sibelius violin concertos.

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnewport Bunnyears, you know your stuff , how did you get to be so knowledgeable? -Wyatt

Trial and lots of errors.

Just listen, read, listen and listen and listen. Eventually your ear begins to discern differences. Ofcourse I have close to a million years of listening behind me as well as 14 years of formal musical education.

 

[fjf]

I love Tchaikovsky violin concerto played by Heifetz; close second is Perlman.

 

[zhentil]

Piano Concerto: Van Cliburn/Kondrashin
Violin Concerto: Heifetz or Perlman
Symphonies 4-6: Mravinsky

Since you're just starting out, I'm guessing you like Tchaikovsky for his overtly expressive/romantic sound. If this is the case, grab the Perlman recording of the VC. His tone, in this and just about all of his recordings, is very sweet, and his showman reputation lends itself very nicely to over-the-top romanticism, which I consider the Tchaik VC to be.

 

[mbhaub]

For those of you so sure that Mravinsky is the best 4-5-6 out there, which set are you talking about? The mono or stereo? The mono performances are superior, more bracing and fiery.

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub For those of you so sure that Mravinsky is the best 4-5-6 out there, which set are you talking about? The mono or stereo? The mono performances are superior, more bracing and fiery.

I've actually never heard the monos. I love the stereos, though - something about that old Russian brass tone...

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel

I think this is one that is referred to. It is a stereo recording.

 

[hempcamp]

I've found it difficult to find Tchaikovsky recordings that are both produced to flawless standards but also good performances. That said, I like the Chung violin concerto on Decca mentioned above (which also has the piano concertos).

--Chris

 

[scottder]

I have the Abbado Sony recordings, great sound. But I am not convinced by the performance.

 

[mbhaub]

Nobody likes these, except maybe Abbado's mother. I got suckered into this set, and promptly disposed of it. It was hard to believe that the same conductor who some 35 years ago gave us a scintillating Tchaik 2 on DG could turn in these atrocius performances. No feel for it at all. Worse than Masur.

 

[scottder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub Nobody likes these, except maybe Abbado's mother. I got suckered into this set, and promptly disposed of it. It was hard to believe that the same conductor who some 35 years ago gave us a scintillating Tchaik 2 on DG could turn in these atrocius performances. No feel for it at all. Worse than Masur.

Yeah, I may have to check into those Mecury recordings and the Mravinsky

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub Nobody likes these, except maybe Abbado's mother. I got suckered into this set, and promptly disposed of it. It was hard to believe that the same conductor who some 35 years ago gave us a scintillating Tchaik 2 on DG could turn in these atrocius performances. No feel for it at all. Worse than Masur.

Mr MB you are a cruel man, he he.
Unfortunately for Abbado you are basically correct in your call. There is a wonderful 1968 Abbado/NPO/DG Musikfest version of Tchaikovsky 2nd that is surprisingly about as good as anyone has recorded paired with 1976 VPO/DG 4th which 2nd best Tchaikovsky recording Abbado has made, both together at budget price! Unfortunately this is very hard to find now

His earlier DG recordings with VPO/LSO from 1970's are better than his later CSO/Sony work. Therefore if you want more Abbado get this DG Double 4,5,6 (includes the above mentioned 1976 VPO 4th)

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottder Yeah, I may have to check into those Mecury recordings and the Mravinsky

Yes both of those better than any Abbado.

Also at reduced price:
Markevitch/Phillips Duo
Maazel/VPO/London
Bernstein/NYPO/Sony (columbia legends)

At full price:
Jansons/Chandos
Gergiev/Phillips
Gatti/DHM

 

[PSmith08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Mr MB you are a cruel man, he he. Unfortunately for Abbado you are basically correct in your call. There is a wonderful 1968 Abbado/NPO/DG Musikfest version of Tchaikovsky 2nd that is surprisingly about as good as anyone has recorded paired with 1976 VPO/DG 4th which 2nd best Tchaikovsky recording Abbado has made, both together at budget price! Unfortunately this is very hard to find now

Since the "Little Russian" hasn't gotten much play, let me put in a plug for Giulini's 1956 EMI recording with the Philharmonia. It was rereleased last year as part of the Giulini material they put out (like The Chicago Recordings). This set also has his 6th, Romeo and Juliet, and Francesca da Rimini (the latter two being tone-poems). However, this Giulini 2nd has a wonderful sense of fun and excitement. The set is very reasonable.

 

[Hokum]

hello,

I bought Mravinsky symphonies 4,5,6, which are wonderful performances. the sound quality is not bad either but... maybe someone can suggest me a recording for those with really good SQ?

thanks