Search - Tchaikovsky, Svetlanov :: Symphony 5 / Capriccio Italien

Evgeny Svetlanov is the world's leading exponent of the "Red Peril" style of Soviet conducting. His performances from the '60s and '70s (he's mellowed a bit since) of Tchaikovsky in particular are the last word in take-no-prisoners brinkmanship. His orchestra plays with military precision, and often with military volume and coarseness, and the interpretations take the music to the very edge of hysteria (and some would say beyond even that). These two works-- the composer's most emotionally excessive compositions--suit the style perfectly, and at mid-price it's worthwhile taking a moment to sample a playing style that seems to have disappeared for good. Next to Svetlanov, everyone else sounds tame. Try it and see what you think. --David Hurwitz