Search - P.I. Tchaikovsky, Mariss Jansons, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra :: Tchaikovsky: Complete Symphonies

Spirited, highly regarded set

Tyler S. Clark | Youngstown, OH | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set of Tchaikovsky's complete symphonies (including the under-rated "Manfred" Symphony and the Capriccio italien tone poem) was originally issued in 1992. I bought this set when it was first released and wore it out throughout high school at Interlochen Arts Academy. I chose it initially because I needed a complete set and found this to be a value; there also were not a great many complete sets to choose from at the time.



Assuming that as I got older, I would find better recordings, I bought more, including Kurt Masur with Leipzig Gewandhaus and Herbert von Karajan with Berlin. I was never quite satisfied with them. Certain that a boxed set I purchased at the age of seventeen couldn't be as good as it gets, I asked a professor-friend of mine (who reads all the classical music industry magazines and buys new recordings weekly) for a recommended set. He encouraged me to look into a highly regarded Chandos issue from Mariss Jansons.



Happy that I had already found what I was looking for, I added the set to my iPod and listened with fresh ears. I continue to enjoy each symphony and am especially delighted with the lesser known Third and "Manfred" symphonies. Though a French hornist I know quibbles with the use of vibrato by the Oslo soloist in the Fifth's "Andante cantabile", I have few complaints about any of the performances on these discs. It's not just the excellent playing from the Oslo Philharmonic that stands out; Mariss Jansons brings a big-picture comprehension of Tchaikovsky's style that provides an effective pacing and shaping to the works.



I recommend the set to you wholeheartedly, whether you are just starting out with these symphonies or know them intimately. It's great to see it back in print. I haven't found used copies of the original issue for less than $100."

Seven Exciting Symphonies

Woodland Poet | 05/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There may be other single performaces of each symphony that outshine some individually in this set, but on the whole, this is one outstanding set of the Tchaikovsky 6 numbered symphonies and the lesser known Manfred Symphony. Mariss Jansons demostrates a singular, and I might add bold, vision throughout this cycle recorded over several years in the mid to late 1980s. The Oslo Philharmonic is brilliant in these discs. The recorded sound is rich and while the orchestra is not too close to the mics, it is never lacking in detail or warmth. I bought the cycle separately, but dont waste the time I did, get them all at once. A special treat is the little known Tchaikovsky 3rd Symphony in 5 movements. As one reviewer pointed out there are none of the flagrant inflections that many conductors introduce into these masterpieces. If you love Tchaikovsky, I think you will love this set.

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A great set of Tchaikovsky's symphonies

Scott J. Stricker | Cincinnati, OH USA | 02/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent digital cycle of Tchaikovsky's symphonies, and although there may be better individual performances of each work, all of these performances are first class. Few people will be disappointed in this set, and it's an inexpensive way to get consistently good performances of all the symphonies. Included are symphonies nos. 1-6, the Manfred, and the Capriccio italien; none of the works are broken up across discs; the sound is crisp and clear; the recording is warm and well-balanced. My only complaint is the lack of fillers. With twenty to thirty extra minutes on five of the discs, the Marche slave and some of the overtures could easily have been included, and would have made this set even more attractive."