2. digital
  3. 1330217350

CD Recommendation -- EMI Tchaikovsky Selections

I'd like to share my reactions about a terrific "redbook" CD set I pulled off the shelf and have been enjoying all weekend. It's an EMI Classics 2 disc set, Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker, 1812, Francesca da Rimini & Romeo and Juliet, performed by the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Marisa Jansons conducting. I think the serial # is 7243 5 86076 2 8.

Friends, this is one of best recorded and engineered CDs I have ever listened to. I can't throw enough positive superlatives at the quality of this CD. I don't know if the quality is peculiar to EMI or just this recording, but I strongly suggest trying to find a copy.

Aside from the CD's quality aspects, if you enjoy Tchaikovsky, you will love the selections and performances -- some of his best works and so well performed!! Treat yourself to a copy today.

This disc set renews my hope that redbook CD has a future if the industry would clean up its act.
bifwynne

Showing 2 responses by richardfinegold

richardfinegold
196 posts
 
I haven't really cottoned to Mariss Jansons as a conductor , but I do have to admit that he frequently benefits from being well recorded.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
You may want to investigate the Beethoven set on Pentatone conducted by Phillip Herreweghe. The orchestra plays modern instruments but is led by a conductor with a real background in the Period performance movement. I have ordered it but it hasn't arrived yet. The same forces made a terrific Schubert Great C Major, and the Pentatone sound is truly to die for.
Gardiner's Beethoven set is excellent, but thePPP orchestra sometimes can be a distraction, with their emasculated string tone and squally oboes, etc.
I had burned some of the jJansons Tchaikovsky from the cycle you mentioned. They do sound great. My issue is with the conductor . IMO
He is vastly overrated . He routinely ignores tempo and dynamic markings, which would be ok if he substituted something interesting , but all he seems to do is homogenize everything. He makes Tchaikovsky , Mahler and Stravinsky all sound alike. He does manage to get well engineered recordings. If he is responsible for that, then I give him credit. I suspect that he has been lucky in his pairings with producers
More to discover