Recording Review: Tchaikovsky Symphonies No. 4 & 5
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 4; Gurzenich Orchestra Köln, Dmitrij Kitajenko, conductor (OEHMS CLASSICS 12424)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 5; Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra, Christian Lindberg, conductor (BIS 2018)
I have always thought of the fourth symphony as being closest to what Tchaikovsky was like as a person – moments of romantic yearning coupled with near points of hysteria and dramatic mood swings make this one of the most popular works in the repertoire. Karajan and Szell recorded high voltage performances during the 1960’s with the BPO and LSO respectively which are amongst my favourites to this day and Stowkovski always maintained that the tempo changes have to be carefully observed in order to bring it off well. His recording with the American Symphony in 1972 on Vanguard has some eye watering tempo changes. Barbirolli with the Halle also recorded a fine version in early stereo which is worth a listen.
So were does this leave Kitajenko in the scope of things?
He follows closely along the lines of Mavrinsky in his famous 1960 account with the Leningrad Philharmonic ( his timings are nearly identical) and adopts slightly slower tempos laying out the climaxes with less hysteria but using the orchestral sound as a wall of power which rolls over you like a wave.
He benefits from having SACD sound which gives great clarity to the textures and serves his interpretation well showing the Gurzenich Orchestra in fine form.
For the sound alone it’s worth adding to your collection of this most dramatic of symphonies.
Just to emphasise that the Arctic Philharmonic are the most northerly based orchestra in the world, they are shown standing on a Norwegian Ice Cap in full concert dress, I hope no instruments suffered during the taking of the photograph!
Lindberg conducts a fine no nonsense reading of the symphony bringing out some interesting detail and letting the musical phrasing speak for itself whilst allowing the orchestra to pack plenty of punch in the brass when needed. He also benefits from SACD sound which shows the orchestra off well.
I would have preferred just a little more warmth in the upper strings but perhaps it was a cold day. Worth a listen and ideal if you have a good surround sound system.
