Vasily Petrenko, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - Tchaikovsky: Symphonies No. 1, 2 & 5 (2016)

How strange that Tchaikovsky’s last three symphonies are played to death while the first three are largely ignored. In the first 2-CD set of what is presumably going to be a complete cycle here are two early symphonies in which the composer is already completely himself tuneful and highly dramatic, as Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra make clear in their taut, exciting performances. When they move on to the well-known Symphony No. 5 the playing is as disciplined, the mood no less gripping. The eagerly awaited Tchaikovsky Symphony cycle from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko gets underway with Symphonies 1, 2 & 5.

Tracklist:

CD1

01. I. Allegro tranquillo
02. II. Adagio cantabile ma non tanto
03. III. Scherzo (Allegro scherzando giocoso)
04. IV. Finale (Andante lugubre - Allegro moderato - Allegro maestoso - Allegro vivo)
05. I. Andante sostenuto - Allegro vivo
06. II. Andantino marziale, quasi moderato
07. III. Scherzo (Allegro molto vivace) & Trio
08. IV. Finale (Moderato assai - Allegro vivo - Presto)

CD2

01. I. Andante - Allegro con anima
02. II. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza
03. III. Valse (Allegro moderato)
04. IV. Finale (Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace)