Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan - Karajan conducts Tchaikovsky (8CD) (2001)

Karajan was unquestionably a great Tchaikovsky conductor. Yet although he recorded the last three symphonies many times, he did not turn to the first three until the end of the 1970s, and then proved an outstanding advocate. In the Mendelssohnian opening movement of the First, the tempo may be brisk, but the music's full charm is displayed and the melancholy of the Andante is touchingly caught. Again at the opening of the Little Russian (No 2), horn and bassoon capture that special Russian colouring, as they do in the engaging Andantino marziale, and the crisp articulation in the first movement allegro is bracing.
The sheer refinement of the orchestral playing in the scherzos of all three symphonies is a delight, and finales have great zest with splendid bite and precision in the fugato passages and a convincing closing peroration. The so-called Polish Symphony (No 3) is the least tractable of the canon, but again Karajan's apt tempos and the precision of ensemble makes the first movement a resounding success. The Alla tedesca brings a hint of Brahms, but the Slavic dolour of the Andante elegiaco is unmistakeable and its climax blooms rapturously. No doubt the reason these early symphonies sound so fresh is because the Berlin orchestra was not over-familiar with them, and clearly enjoyed playing them. The sound throughout is excellent. It gets noticeably fiercer in the Fourth Symphony, recorded a decade earlier, but is still well balanced. The first movement has a compulsive forward thrust, and the breakneck finale is viscerally thrilling. The slow movement is beautifully played but just a trifle bland. Overall, though, this is impressive and satisfying, especially the riveting close. DG has chosen the 1965 recording of the Fifth, rather than the mid-'70s version, and they were right to do so. It's marvellously recorded (in the Jesus-Christus Kirche): the sound has all the richness and depth one could ask and the performance too is one of Karajan's very finest. There's some indulgence of the second-subject string melody of the first movement. But the slow movement is gloriously played from the horn solo onwards, and the second re-entry of the Fate theme is so dramatic that it almost makes one jump. The delightful Waltz brings the kind of elegant warmth and detail from the violins that's a BPO speciality, and the finale, while not rushed Mravinsky fashion, still carries all before it and has power and dignity at the close. The Pathétique was a very special work for Karajan (as it was for the Berlin Philharmonic) and his 1964 performance is one of his greatest recordings. The reading as a whole avoids hysteria, yet the resolution of the passionate climax of the first movement sends shivers down the spine, while the finale has a comparable eloquence, and the March/Scherzo, with ensemble wonderfully crisp and biting, brings an almost demonic power to the coda. Again the sound is excellent, full-bodied in the strings and with plenty of sonority for the trombones. The String Serenade is digital, brightly recorded in the Philharmonie in 1980, but naturally balanced. Marvellous playing. The Waltz, with a most felicitous control of rubato, is the highlight, and the Elégie is certainly ardent; and if the first movement could have been more neatly articulated, the finale has tremendous bustle and energy. As for the concertante works, the account of the glorious Rococo Variations with Rostropovich is another classic of the gramophone, even though it uses the truncated score. The First Piano Concerto is a disappointment, with Richter and Karajan failing to strike sparks as a part- nership. In spite of brilliant solo playing, the first movement lacks supporting tension in the orchestra, and in the finale you can sense Richter wanting to press forward, while Karajan seems to hold back: the coda itself hangs fire in the orchestra. Similarly Ferras was not an ideal choice for the Violin Concerto. Not all will take to his somewhat febrile timbre, with its touches of near-schmaltz. But the performance as a whole works better than the Piano Concerto. Romeo and Juliet is finely done, passionate and dramatic, if not quite so spontaneously inspired as Karajan's early VPO version for Decca, especially at the opening. But Marche slave, ideally paced, is very successful, sombre and exciting by turns. Capriccio italien and 1812 are both brilliantly played, and the triptych of ballet suites can be recommended almost without reservation, with the Sleeping Beauty suite memorable for some very exciting climaxes. Even with the reservations about the two concertos, this bargain box is a fine investment, and certainly value for money. The documentation is excellent.

Track List:

CD 1
1 Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 "Winter Reveries" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.13, TH.24 - "Winter Reveries" - 1. Dreams Of A Winter Journey (Allegro tranquillo)
2 Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 "Winter Reveries" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.13, TH.24 - "Winter Reveries" - 2. Land Of Desolation, Land Of Mists (Andante cantabile ma non tanto)
3 Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 "Winter Reveries" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.13, TH.24 - "Winter Reveries" - 3. Scherzo (Allegro scherzando giocoso)
4 Symphony No.1 in G minor, Op.13 "Winter Reveries" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1 In G Minor, Op.13, TH.24 - "Winter Reveries" - 4. Finale (Andante Lugubre - Allegro moderato - Allegro maestoso - Allegro vivo)
5 Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin, Op.24, TH.5 - Polonaise
6 Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin, Op.24, TH.5 / Act 2 - Valse
7 Tchaikovsky: Slavonic March, Op.31, TH.45 - Moderato in modo di marcia funebre - Andante molto maestoso - Allegro risoluto

CD 2
8 Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 "Little Russian" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17, TH.25 - "Little Russian" - 1. Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo
9 Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 "Little Russian" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17, TH.25 - "Little Russian" - 2. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
10 Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 "Little Russian" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17, TH.25 - "Little Russian" - 3. Scherzo (Allegro molto vivace - Trio. L'istesso tempo)
11 Symphony No.2 in C minor, Op.17 "Little Russian" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2 In C Minor, Op.17, TH.25 - "Little Russian" - 4. Finale (Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Presto)
12 Tchaikovsky: Overture 1812, Op.49, TH 49 - Largo - Allegro giusto

CD 3
13 Symphony No.3 in D, Op.29 "Polish" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.3 In D Major, Op.29, TH.26 - "Polish" - 1. Introduzione e Allegro. Moderato assai (Tempo di marcia funebre)
14 Symphony No.3 in D, Op.29 "Polish" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.3 In D Major, Op.29, TH.26 - "Polish" - 2. Alla tedesca. Allegro moderato e semplice
15 Symphony No.3 in D, Op.29 "Polish" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.3 In D Major, Op.29, TH.26 - "Polish" - 3. Andante elegiaco
16 Symphony No.3 in D, Op.29 "Polish" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.3 In D Major, Op.29, TH.26 - "Polish" - 4. Scherzo. Allegro vivo
17 Symphony No.3 in D, Op.29 "Polish" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.3 In D Major, Op.29, TH.26 - "Polish" - 5. Finale. Allegro con fuoco (Tempo di Polacca)
18 Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien, Op.45, TH.47 - Andante un poco rubato

CD 4
19 Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 In F Minor, Op.36, TH.27 - 1. Andante sostenuto - Moderato con anima - Moderato assai, quasi Andante - Allegro vivo
20 Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 In F Minor, Op.36, TH.27 - 2. Andantino in modo di canzone
21 Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 In F Minor, Op.36, TH.27 - 3. Scherzo. Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro
22 Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 In F Minor, Op.36, TH.27 - 4. Finale (Allegro con fuoco)
23 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Moderato assai quasi andante
24 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Tema: Moderato semplice
25 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione I: Tempo del Tema
26 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione II: Tempo del Tema
27 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione III: Andante sostenuto
28 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione IV: Andante grazioso
29 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione V: Allegro moderato
30 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione VI: Andante
31 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op.33 - Tchaikovsky: Variations On A Rococo Theme, Op.33, TH.57 - Variazione VII e Coda: Allegro vivo

CD 5
32 Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64, TH.29 - 1. Andante - Allegro con anima
33 Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64, TH.29 - 2. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza - Moderato con anima
34 Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64, TH.29 - 3. Valse (Allegro moderato)
35 Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64, TH.29 - 4. Finale (Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace)
36 Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48 - 1. Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo - Allegro moderato
37 Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48 - 2. Walzer: Moderato (Tempo di valse)
38 Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48 - 3. Elégie: Larghetto elegiaco
39 Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C, Op.48 - 4. Finale (Tema russo): Andante - Allegro con spirito

CD 6
40 Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 -"Pathétique" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 - "Pathétique" - 1. Adagio - Allegro non troppo
41 Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 -"Pathétique" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 - "Pathétique" - 2. Allegro con grazia
42 Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 -"Pathétique" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 - "Pathétique" - 3. Allegro molto vivace
43 Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74 -"Pathétique" - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, TH 30 - "Pathétique" - 4. Finale (Adagio lamentoso - Andante)
44 Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture

CD 7
45 Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op.66a - Introduction - The Lilac Fairy
46 Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op.66a - Pas d'action. Rose Adagio
47 Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op.66a - Pas de caractère: Puss In Boots
48 Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op.66a - Panorama (andantino)
49 Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty, Suite, Op.66a - Valse
50 Swan Lake, Op.20 / Suite - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 1. Scene - Swan Theme
51 Swan Lake, Op.20 / Suite - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 2. Valse In A
52 Swan Lake, Op.20 / Suite - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 3. Danse des petits cygnes
53 Swan Lake, Op.20 / Suite - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 4. Scene
54 Swan Lake, Op.20 / Suite - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 5. Danse Hongroise (Czardas)
55 Swan Lake, Op.20 / Suite - Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op.20 Suite - 6. Scène finale.
56 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 1. Miniature Overture
57 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 2. Danses caractéristiques a. Marche (Tempo di marcia viva)
58 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 2b. Danse de la fée-Dragée (Andante non troppo)
59 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 2c. Danse russe Trépak (Tempo di Trépak, molto vivace)
60 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 2d. Danse arabe (Allegretto)
61 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 2e. Danse chinoise (Allegro moderato)
62 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a - 2f. Danse des mirlitons (Moderato assai)
63 Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a, TH.35 - 3. Valse des fleurs (Tempo di Valse)

CD 8
64 Piano Concerto No.1 In B Flat Minor, Op.23, TH.55 - Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23, TH 55 - 1. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
65 Piano Concerto No.1 In B Flat Minor, Op.23, TH.55 - Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23, TH 55 - 2. Andantino semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo I
66 Piano Concerto No.1 In B Flat Minor, Op.23, TH.55 - Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 23, TH 55 - 3. Allegro con fuoco
67 Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 - Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto In D, Op.35, TH. 59 - 1. Allegro moderato
68 Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 - Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto In D, Op.35, TH. 59 - 2. Canzonetta (Andante)
69 Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 - Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto In D, Op.35, TH. 59 - 3. Finale (Allegro vivacissimo)

Performers:
Christian Ferras
Sviatoslav Richter
Mstislav Rostropovich
Berliner Philharmoniker
Herbert von Karajan, conductor