Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos.1, 2 & 5

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos.1, 2 & 5

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Onyx / 2016

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Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos.1, 2 & 5

The eagerly awaited Tchaikovsky Symphony cycle from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko gets underway with Symphonies 1, 2 & 5. In 2015 The Tchaikovsky Album with Petrenko and the RLPO, released to coincide with the orchestra’s 175 anniversary, became one of the best-selling classical CDs in the UK and met with fulsome praise from reviewers. Volume I of the Symphonies looks set to replicate that success and indeed critical acclaim.

Tracklisting

1. I Allegro tranquillo 10.42
2. II Adagio cantabile ma non tanto 10.39
3. III Scherzo (Allegro scherzando giocoso) 7.21
4. IV Finale (Andante lugubre – Allegro moderato – Allegro maestoso – Allegro vivo) 12.22

Symphony No.2 in C minor ‘Little Russian’ op.17
5. I Andante sostenuto – Allegro vivo 10.29
6. II Andantino marziale, quasi moderato 7.32
7. III Scherzo (Allegro molto vivace) & Trio 5.04
8. IV Finale (Moderato assai – Allegro vivo – Presto) 9.53

Symphony No.5 in E minor op.64
9. I Andante – Allegro con anima 13.58
10. II Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza 12.32
11. III Valse (Allegro moderato) 5.41
12. IV Finale (Andante maestoso – Allegro vivace) 11.38

Reviews

“in some ways Petrenko’s approach is a straightforward one: just do what it says in the score! He takes such care to observe every accent and dynamic marking…The Liverpool strings are fantastic…maintaining clarity and precision even when presented with a seemingly endless flurry of quavers whizzing by at a hundred miles an hour. As well as technical proficiency, Petrenko and his orchestra bring tremendous amounts of character.” – Presto Classical

“Petrenko’s Tchaikovsky is authentically Russian in its bright, sharp-edged colours and rhythms…these are splendidly vivid performances.” – The Sunday Times

“Bursting with promise…Symphony No 5, full of light, shade, intensity, yearning accentuation, is a fine addition to a busy field. Petrenko and the RLPO continue to make an exciting partnership.” – The Guardian

“It was worth the wait: this release of Symphonies Nos 1, 2 and 5 makes the best possible start to the projected cycle…If future releases match these impetuous, glorious performances, Petrenko’s should be a cycle to be reckoned with.” – Gramophone

“Alive and articulate, these three performances remind us that it’s just as possible to be stunned by an original interpretation of a familiar symphony (the Fifth) as it is to be refreshed by a bright-eyed approach to less familiar works (the First and Second).” – BBC Music Magazine

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