TCHAIKOVSKY: SYMPHONIES 1, 2 & 4; NUTCRACKER SUITE - TILSON THOMAS, ABBADO, LEITNER (2 CDS)

A collection of all of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies and ballet suites from the rich archives of Deutsche Grammophon.

All the performances have been justifiably critically appraised. This volume includes First, Second and Fourth Symphonies, the latter two with Abbado, and the First in Michael Tilson Thomas’s suave, fairy-lights recording with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. ‘Michael Tilson Thomas’ way with it, yields a performance of grace and elegance and the orchestra follows his lead with verve and finesse’ wrote Michael Steinberg for the recording’s first CD reissue on Deutsche Grammophon’s venerated ‘Originals’ series.

‘The Boston orchestra plays the symphony most beautifully’ (Symphony No. 1) Gramophone, June 1971

‘There is no doubt that Michael Tilson Thomas’s approach matches Tchaikovsky’s sub-title. The freshness of the opening […] is matched by the poetic feeling of the slow movement, the opening superbly atmospheric. As shaped by Thomas the main tune shows a haunting Russian melancholy which catches the music’s spirit to great effect’ (Symphony No. 1) The Penguin Stereo Record Guide, 1977

‘The New Philharmonia play with precision and polish … and on recording quality this DGG version […] is clearly the smoothest and most faithful’ (Symphony No. 2) Gramophone, February 1970

‘The Andantino is very nicely done … and the scherzo is admirably crisp and sparkling. The finale is quite superb, with splendid colour and thrust and a spectacular stroke on the gong before the exhilarating coda. Brilliant recording’ (Symphony No. 2) Penguin Stereo Record and Cassette Guide

‘Abbado’s recording of the Fourth Symphony sweeps the board … Brilliant, extremely vivid sound makes this issue indispensable’ PENGUIN ROSETTE AWARD (Symphony No. 4) Penguin Stereo Record and Cassette Guide

PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
CD 1
Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13 ‘Winter Reveries’
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas

The Nutcracker: Suite, Op. 71a
Berliner Philharmoniker
Ferdinand Leitner

CD 2
Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 ‘Little Russian’
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Claudio Abbado

Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36
Wiener Philharmoniker
Claudio Abbado