Pjotr Illych Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5 & 6 - Bernard Haitink, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36, was written between 1877 and 1878. The symphony's first performance was at a Russian Musical Society concert in Saint Petersburg in February 1878, with Nikolai Rubinstein as conductor. The symphony has become a staple of the orchestral repertoire, and remains one of the most frequently performed symphonies of the late 19th century.

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 was composed between May and August 1888 and was first performed in St Petersburg on November 6 of that year with Tchaikovsky conducting. Some critics, including Tchaikovsky himself, have considered the ending insincere or even crude. After the second performance, Tchaikovsky wrote, "I have come to the conclusion that it is a failure". Despite this, the symphony has gone on to become one of the composer's most popular works. The second movement, in particular, is considered to be classic Tchaikovsky: well crafted, colorfully orchestrated, and with a memorable melody for solo horn.

Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Pathétique, Op. 74 was his final symphony, written between February and the end of August 1893. The composer led the first performance in St. Petersburg on October 28 of that year, nine days before his death. The second performance, under Eduard Nápravník, took place 20 days later at a memorial concert. It included some minor corrections that Tchaikovsky had made after the premiere, and was thus the first performance of the work in the form in which it is known today.

These recordings by Bernard Haitink with the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam date back from the seventies. At the time of release they won both Haitink and the orchestra critical acclaim and re-affirmed Haitink's position as on of the notable conductors of the symphonic repertoire. The set was re-issued in the 80's in a 2CD-set and even later in a commemorative box-set containing all of the Tchaikovsky Symphonies as well as the overtures. These are the first CD-releases from the 80's with the original cover-art. Needless to say that these recordings should be part of any classical collection. Enjoy!

Track listing:

Disc 1:
1. Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - 1. Andante sostenuto - Moderato con anima - Moderato assai, quasi Andante - Allegro vivo
2. Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - 2. Andantino in modo di canzone
3. Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - 3. Scherzo. Pizzicato ostinato - Allegro
4. Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.36 - 4. Finale (Allegro con fuoco)
5. Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - 1. Andante - Allegro con anima
6. Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - 2. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza - Moderato con anima

Disc 2:
1. Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - 3. Valse (Allegro moderato)
2. Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64 - 4. Finale (Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace)
3. Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74, "Pathétique" - 1. Adagio - Allegro non troppo
4. Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74, "Pathétique" - 2. Allegro con grazia
5. Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74, "Pathétique" - 3. Allegro molto vivace
6. Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op.74, "Pathétique" - 4. Finale (Adagio lamentoso - Andante)




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