Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. I. Adagio - Allegro con brio
2. II. Allegro con grazia
3. III. Allegro molto vivace
4. Finale: Adagio lamentoso
5. Marche Slave, Op. 31
6. I. Prelude
7. II. Fugue a 4 voix
8. III. Impromptu
9. IV. Marche funebre
10. V. Mazurque
11. VI. Scherzo

Disc 2:

1. Introduction
2. Danse des pages
3. Vision d'Aurore
4. Andante
5. La Fee-Argent
6. Le Chat Botte et la Chatte Blanche
7. Gavotte
8. Le Canari qui chante
9. Le Chaperon rouge et le loup
10. Adagio
11. Finale
12. I. Janvier (au coin du feu)
13. II. Fevrier (Carnaval)
14. III. Mars (Chant de l'alouette)
15. IV. Avril (Perce-neige)
16. V. Mai (Les nuits de mai)
17. VI. Juin (Barcarolle)
18. VII. Juillet (Chant des moissonneurs)
19. VIII. Aout (La moisson)
20. IX. Septembre (La chasse)
21. X. Octobre (Chant d'automne)
22. XI. Novembre (Course en troika)
23. XII. Decembre (Noel)

Product Details

• Released on: 2003-08-22
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds
• Running time: 148 minutes

From Amazon.co.uk
Written just before his death in 1893, Tchaikovsky's Pathétique symphony is in many respects the first twentieth-century symphony. Listening to the emotional catharsis of the first movement, or the manic energy unleashed in the "Scherzo", it's not difficult to hear the (second world) wartime symphonies of Shostakovich and Prokofiev waiting in the wings. It's also a masterpiece in its own right, and Mikhail Pletnev's 1991 recording gives it a fresh leash of life. The highlight is an astonishingly rapid account of the "Scherzo", superbly played by the orchestra Pletnev himself founded. There's no lack of feeling elsewhere, though don't expect heart-on-sleeve emotion of the kind Tchaikovsky has suffered from so much. In its new coupling, you get a selection of Tchaikovsky's piano music: the Op. 21 pieces are probably more interesting to play than hear, but The Seasons is delightfully intimate music, while Pletnev is as imaginative an arranger as he is an insightful pianist in The Sleeping Beauty transcriptions. A successful compilation, well worth acquiring. --Richard Whitehouse

Customer Reviews

The best since Mravinsky and a superbargain
This performance conveys the same kind and degree of passion, intensity and commitment as the famous Mravinsky DG stereo recording. Although I still prefer the Mravinsky in a some respects, namely his subtle use of rubato to highlight expressive details, his more sharply characterized second movement, and the cutting edge detail of the brass (which I think is more due to the use of a more distant perpective in the Pletnev recording than in the performances themselves), Pletnev fully matches Mravinsky in the drive and dramatic intensity he imparts to the development section of the first movement, and the third movement, in which this recording conveys the impact of the drums more clearly than with Mravinsky. At its superbudget pricepoint, plus its inclusion of items from Tchaikovsky's rarely played music for solo piano, it is truly a must have.

unforgettable
This is without a doubt the finest recording of the Pathetique ever made. In Pletnev's hands, the music flows naturally and the climaxes are extremely powerful. Indeed, he brings out all the pathos in this great symphony. Just listen to the violent development section of the first movement to witness this drama for yourself; the way Pletnev brings out the climax is simply unsurpassed. The second movement is very beautifully played as well, although there's nothing special about it which sets it apart from other recordings. Pletnev then takes the third movement at a death-defying speed. Indeed, no conductor has ever played this movement at such a rapid tempo, but Pletnev allows the listener to feel a sense of impending doom Tchaikovsky must have felt when writing this movement. This is simply the most exciting performance of this famous march ever committed to record. The fourth movement is also outstanding in terms of bringing out the pathos inherent in this work, although Pletnev does not quite match Mravinsky in sheer power of the brass in the closing pages. Nonetheless, it is safe to say that this performance of the Pathetique is a desert island disc and would be a top recommendation even if it cost far more. In fact, the Penguin Guide to CDs has given this recording the highest possible rating (three stars plus a rosette). The sound throughout is wide-ranging and is in the demonstration bracket, although it is true that you'll have to turn up the volume a notch from other CDs due to the wide range.

If the only thing you were getting on the CD was the symphony, it would be a "must have" any day of the year. However, Virgin is extremely generous and includes outstanding performances of the Seasons and excerpts from the Sleeping Beauty (arranged and played by Pletnev on piano). Marche Slav is also included as an apt coupling to the symphony and is an exciting performance, though the closing minutes are not as spectacular as some other performances, notably that conducted by Erich Kunzel on Telarc. But for two CDs at the cost of one MID-PRICED CD, and one of the most legendary performances ever, everyone needs to have these precious discs in his or her collection, whether you like the couplings or not.

One of the best performances
This is one of the best performances out there. Pletnev really knows how this masterpiece should be played. Especially, the final movement is deeply moving. I have listened several recordings of this symphony, but I've never heard a better final mvt. After listening this CD, I found the Jansons - Oslo recording a little bit monotonous than this one.

This CD is also coupled with wonderfully played "Marche Slave", 6 piano pieces, music from The Sleeping Beauty, and The Seasons, but it's still 1 CD price. Great deal.

Rating 1 star only because the recording volume level is low? Don't be bothered with the poor rating below. You will never disappointed if you have a decent CD player (& headphone). By the way I don't think the volume level is that low.

P.S. Gramophone CD Guide and Penguine Guide both recommend this CD as the best recording of this symphony.