Your favourite Tchaikovsky symphony recordings ?

[Barbirollians]

These so oft recorded and played works .

My introduction to them began with Rostropovich's Pathetique which did not really shine for me - perhaps a typically bad early 80s LP pressing was to blame. Then Karajan's 1-3 and Mravinsky's 4-6 on cassette - recordings immensely different but of which I am still fond .

Now if I feel the urge to hear them probably - Barbirolli's 4-6 , Silvestri's indulgent 5 , Abbado's DG 2 and 4 but most of all Szell's CBS No 5 .

What are your favourites ?

[makropulos]

Ah - coincidentally I've just been listening to a lot of Tchaikovsky lately. My favourites are a funny old bunch but they include:
Mravinsky 4-6 (DG stereo)
Matacic 5 and 6 (Supraphon)
Svetlanov 1, 2, 4, 5 (Canyon Classics - I think now on Warner - the live performances given by the USSR SO in Japan)
Tilson Thomas 1
Böhm 4-6 (DG, with the LSO - I've always been fond of these but for Böhm's Tchaik at its best there's a truly thrilling live 4 with the Czech Phil on Orfeo)
Szell 4 (Decca)
and most recently a wonderful live 6 with Mackerras and the Philharmonia (Signum)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Maazel/VPO Symphony no. 4 (Decca)
The whole set is Maazel at his best.

[Brassbandmaestro]

Tchaik's Symphony No.6 "Pathetique". Berliner PO, Abbado.

[Mr Pee]

Pappano's recent set of 4-6 with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra is up there with the very best, I think.

[amateur51]

Pappano's recent set of 4-6 with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra is up there with the very best, I think.

Cheers Mr Pee

Cheap as chips here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tchaikovsky-...hu-rd_add_1_dp

Two CDs - could you advise re dodgy side breaks please, Mr Pee?

[Mahlerei]

Abbado's 2 & 4 (DG) and 'Manfred' from Kitaienko/Gurzenich (Oehms).

[Mr Pee]

Two CDs - could you advise re dodgy side breaks please, Mr Pee?

With pleasure!

The side break occurs between movements 2 and 3 of Symphony no. 5.

I reallt don't think you'll be dissapointed with the set, and at that price it's an absolute steal. Without having to break any windows!!

[Mandryka]

A controversial choice, maybe, but I think Guisseppe Sinopoli's Pathetique needs to be heard - as does Bernstein's even greater (but equally controversial) 1987 reading.

I think Markevitch has a unique way with the first three symphonies (LSO double disc set on Phillips).

I'm still waiting to hear Klemperer's Pathetique, which everyone tells me has to be heard to be believed (though not in a good way!).

[Caliban]

The side break occurs between movements 2 and 3 of Symphony no. 5.

Perfect! It's at that point that the piece turns from being quite good to not very good, and I usually stop listening!