Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 4; Symphony No. 5; Symphony No. 6

COMPOSERS: Tchaikovsky
LABELS: DG
WORKS: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 2; Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 4; Symphony No. 5; Symphony No. 6
PERFORMER: Russian National Orchestra/Mikhail Pletnev
CATALOGUE NO: 449 967-2

Whether Pletnev is the Beecham of Russia in forming his own orchestra remains to be seen: certainly his National Orchestra has taken off since 1990 with concerts, international tours and recordings. Now they have honoured their greatest symphonist, from the Glinka-influenced First to the personal agony of the Sixth. Tchaikovsky’s first three symphonies, generally overshadowed by the last three, are not juvenilia, as this set shows. Folksong dominates the first two and Pletnev’s readings are in turn wistful and colourful, in particular the waltz trio of the First, felicitously phrased by the players. The ballet composer emerges strongly in the Third in a vibrant reading with warm string tone. The Fourth is impeccably played with some blazing brass, but the end lacks the excitement of Beecham or Arvid Yansons, who both whipped it up. The famous horn solo in the Fifth is wonderfully played with typical Russian vibrato, though not as pronounced as such sounds used to be; the Sixth begins lugubriously, has a thrilling march and impassioned finale. Good sound and an informative booklet despite some contentious remarks. Christopher Fifield