The Tchaikovsky Cycle [DVD Video]

This is one of my favorite Tchaikovsky Symphony's; despite loving all 6 of them, including the E-flat Symphony (aka No. 7) and Manfred (not numbered). The Orchestra does a superb job at capturing the winter-like themes that Tchaikovsky envisioned while composing this symphony during his first couple years at his new job teaching composition at the Moscow Conservatory (now known at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory).

Perfect

Everything was quite satisfactory.

Fedoseyev makes a strong case for the three early, infrequently performed symphonies. The first ("Winter Daydreams") comes off very well and it persuasively establishes the young composer's personal style and his reliance on mood and atmosphere rather than conventional structure and form. I have not heard it very often, but never better. "Francesca da Rimini" is a Dante-inspired dramatic "fantasy" or tone poem, somewhat derivative (Berlioz) and very noisy towards the end. It is a gripping piece, well established in the concert repertoire, and Fedoseyev and his musicians make the most of it indeed. The "Variations on a Rococo Theme," Tchaikovsky's next best effort to a cello concerto, are beautifully crafted and radiant with wit and nostalgic grace. The composer's homage to Haydn and Boccherini is perhaps no great music, but inventive, pleasing and quite demanding of the soloist. Antonio Meneses plays it with style and perfect technique, ably supported by the Muscovites.

excellent performances

expedition rapide et document ok