Tchaikovsky Symphonies Nos 4 & 6. Violin Concerto Ricci, E Kleiber, Sargent

For vigorous interpretation, orchestral clarity, and emotional impact, this set of Tchaikovsky's six symphonies is hard to discount: even though the recordings are ADD and the acoustics vary noticeably, these readings by Antal Dorati and the London Symphony Orchestra are full-blooded and viscerally exciting; and though they were recorded between 1960 and 1965…

This double album consists of Tchaikovsky performances that have been issued in several different forms. The Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 was recorded in 2012, when the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, a joint project of the cities of Tromsø and Bodø, was still called the Nordic Philharmonic; from a marketing point of view, with graphics showing the orchestra members, instruments and all, standing in the snow, the name change was a good one.

Karajan's mid-1970s Tchaikovsky interpretations are regarded as his finest in a career of performing the Russian composer's last three symphonies. Unitel's films from this period - released here for the first time on DVD - documented the maestro with his great Berlin orchestra on 35mm colour film and in stereo. “Others have gotten more sadness out of Tchaikovsky… but not more virility and controlled intense beauty than Karajan in the Unitel film.” - New York Times

Valery Gergiev is widely recognized as the greatest modern interpreter of Tchaikovsky's music and the Mariinsky Orchestra holds a peerless reputation in the repertoire. These acclaimed performances were filmed at Salle Pleyel in Paris during January 2010 and directed by Andy Sommer. The themes of fate and death pervade Tchaikovsky's final symphonies. The composition of the fourth symphony coincided with the breakdown of Tchaikovsky's marriage and a failed suicide attempt and the sixth symphony premiered shortly before Tchaikovsky's death. The disc includes a bonus interview of Maestro Gergiev directed by Tommy Pearson.