Tchaikovsky: Les Concertos

On this CD:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1, for piano & orchestra (or 2 pianos) in B flat minor, Op. 23
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra with Gyorgy Cziffra
Conducted by Andre Vandernoot

2. Piano Concerto No. 2, for piano & orchestra (or 2 pianos) in G major, Op. 44
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Orchestre National de l' O.R.T.F.
Conducted by Jean Martinon

3. Piano Concerto No. 3, for piano & orchestra (or 2 pianos) in E flat major, Op. post. 75
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Bournemouth Sinfonietta with Peter Donohoe
Conducted by Rudolf Barshai

4. Violin Concerto, for violin & orchestra (or violin & piano) in D major, Op. 35
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire with Leonid Kogan
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

5. Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano) in A major, Op. 33
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Philharmonia Orchestra with Pierre Fournier
Conducted by Malcolm Sargent

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo E Molto Maestoso - Georges Cziffra
II. Andante Semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo Primo - Georges Cziffra
III. Allegro Con Fuoco - Georges Cziffra
I. Allegro Brillante - Henri Bronschwak
II. Andante Ma Non Troppo - Henri Bronschwak

Tracks:

III. Allegro Con Fuoco - Henri Bronschwak
Allegro Brillante - Cadenza - Tempo Primo - Vivacissimo - Peter Donohoe
I. Allegro Moderato - Leonide Kogan
II. Canzonetta (Andante) - Leonide Kogan
III. Finale (Allegro Vivacissimo) - Leonide Kogan
Intro, Theme Et Variation I - Pierre Fournier
Variation II - Pierre Fournier
Variation III - Pierre Fournier
Variation IV - Pierre Fournier
Variation V - Pierre Fournier
Variation VI - Pierre Fournier
Variation VII - Pierre Fournier

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Tchaikovsky.......2006-01-21

This 2CD set from EMI France collects some classic performances of the various Tchaikovsky Concertos. The best known recordings here are the 1958 account of Piano Concerto No. 1 by Andre Vandernoot and the Philharmonia Orchestra with soloist Georges Cziffra, and the 1959 Violin Concerto with the great Leonid Kogan and Constantin Silvestri leading the Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire. Both have to be considered among the best performances ever recorded, particularly Kogan's -- it's a toss up between this and the Ferras/Silvestri on Testament (see my review) as my personal favorite. Of course, this very same PC/VC combination is also available at budget line on an EMI Encore title. So if you are going to pay extra for this import set, what are you getting that's so special? (By the way, this set is currently available for only $10 at Berkshire Record Outlet.)

Well for me that was easy -- the Rococo Variations. For years this 1956 stereo performance by cellist Pierre Fournier, with Sir Malcolm Sargent conducting the Philharmonia, has been the standard bearer, yet it has turned up on surprisingly few CD collections. In fact, when EMI recently issued the four-disc set "Les Introuvables de Pierre Fournier" (see my review), they selected his mono account of the Variations from 1941 with Bigot/Lamoureux instead, and you got me as to why! But as good as the Rococo is, thankfully there is even more great music here. The 1972 recording of the 2nd Piano Concerto, with soloist Sylvia Kersenbaum and conductor Jean Martinon leading the Orchestre National de l'O.R.T.F., is one of the best versions I've heard. The remaining work here is the Allegro from the unfinished Piano Concerto No. 3. Pianist Peter Donohue, with Rudolf Barshai and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, put in a fine performance (digitial stereo from 1987) but in my opinion this work's inclusion is simply for completists. Overall, this is a terrific Tchaikovsky set, and though an import, it is priced to compete with the domestic titles on Decca and Philips, yet in my opinion offers better performances.

The Good Life: The Greatest Waltzes, Sonatas and Concertos (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

The Good Life: The Greatest Waltzes, Sonatas and Concertos (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music