Repertoire: The BEST Tchaikovsky Sixth Symphony "Pathétique"

[@fredrickroll06]

Thank you VERY much for your appreciation of Tchiaikovsky! When I entered colloge in 1961, I was practically mobbed as the only person seriously interested in music who had loved Tchaikovsky beyond his or her twelfth birthday - similar blasphemes were also uttered regrading Beethoven's symphonies. In the meantime, Tchaikovsky has become more widely acknowledged - an example of this is the establishment of his opera „Pique Dame,“ in the standard repertoire which anticipates „Wozzeck,“ Proust, and Freud. I consider Tchaikovsky one of the greatest composers who ever iived not only thanks to his unsurpassable craftsmanship, but above all because he expresses a vaster scope of emotions than any other composer. From despair to jubilation, from heaviness to iightness, from ineffable tenderness to utmost brutality: the entire gamut of human experience is packed into this one composer, even moreso than in Beethoven or Wagner! Mahler is perhaps an exception, but Tchaikovsky was his trailbrlazer! It is unfathomable what an experimental and innovative work the „Pathétique“ is - „Manfred“ also - it is incredibly modern!

[@raymondchandler469]

Just found you. Upgrading my sound system and could not find my old CD of my preferred Tchaikovsky No6 so fell down the rabbit hole of "best" recordings. Your video was a "life saver" after reading so many differing opinions AND you held up my favorite (the Ashkenzy) and I immediately recognized the CD cover! Easily found and ordered it, but also the Leonard Bernstein version that causes so much heated opinions. The Tchaikovsky No 6, to me, is such an expression of personal feelings and so moving. Oh and the Munch. ;) THANK YOU! Can't wait to go through your other videos!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank YOU! I hope I can help you find other recordings that you enjoy.

[@PelmetsAreAwesome]

Tchaikovsky rules. His ballets are why I discovered classical music and his symphonies made me stay. Great video and great choices. I already love a few of these recordings and now have some new ones to check out. Thanks!

[@lukewaddell67]

"This name, the Pathetic Symphony, was given to my piece by some of my old friends. Well, I have a new set of friends now..." - Peter Schickele Joking aside, great video. The Fricsay really is an absolutely searing recording, and very well recorded for its 1959 vintage too. I cannot imagine why DG neglected it for so long.

[@silviofernandez585]

Fricsay was a phenomenal Tchaikovsky conductor and a phenomenal conductor, period. This Pathetique is superb but in my book the earlier 1953 mono with the same Orchestra is even more intense and more impulsive, the stereo slower. This 1953 Fricsay is desert island Pathetique!

[@yundichen8332]

​@@silviofernandez585it's not with the same orchestra. Teh earlier recording is with the Berlin Phil, the later one with the Berlin Radio

[@stuartclarke4683]

Hello friends! Love this greeting - cheers me up when I feel blue. Thanks Dave! My personal favourite are Mravinsky and the EMI Karajan. Never understood why people get sniffy about Tchaikovsky. He was a big genius imo.

[@tom6693]

Ashamed to say the Fricsay is new to me, but tardy or not I can't thank you enough for the introduction. What a phenomenal performance! From the opening bars it's so clearly an "event," everything speaking, every phrase, every dynamic shift, every new color registering. I think you called it supremely "communicative," and that's just the word. Deeply expressive. And so moving. I'm frequently moved by this symphony, but not often from the very start. Yet Fricsay has an uncanny way of pulling you right in, there's an intimacy and particularity of address that's hard to describe but impossible not to feel. And it never lets up, right through to that shattering finale. I've encountered a number of recordings new to me over this past year of listening, all of which I'm grateful for--the way they've expanded my sense of the music and the range of music-making. But I think it's fair to say that none of these have hit me with the force of this Fricsay Pathetique. What a discovery. Almost takes me back to my first years of buying LPs, bringing them home, dropping the needle, and entering a whole new world. I feel quite young again! And that too is a gift. Thanks, Dave.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank YOU for sharing this experience. It should give everyone hope!

[@smalysbassoon]

Fricsay was the man. Astonishing profoundness of interpretation

[@IamtheBonkers]

I haven’t heard to all of these, but when I first listened to the Fricsay stereo recording with Berlin Radio I was absolutely floored. It was so emotional, a perfect mixture of melancholy and joy that was excruciatingly beautiful. I really became enamored with the piece after that and sought out other performances but none have topped this one.

[@maximisaev6974]

Thank you so much Dave for putting a well deserved spotlight on two of the finest Pathetique's out there, Munch and Monteux and Boston. Anyone who believes there's only one "French" way of conducting needs only to listen to these two Desert Island performances. I've adored them for decades and both performances are something those of us in this country can be justly proud of. My God the Boston Symphony really could play the spots off that piece, both times! I only wish that the young conductors of today would sit down, or be tied down, and listen to these interpretations. I can't tell you how many bad Pathetique's I've sat through over the years silently wishing I'd stayed home and listened to Munch and Monteux instead. Thanks again Dave for your "spotlight" and your insight. Happy New Year!

[@ronwatson98]

Bravo ! ‘it doesn’t matter which recording got you hooked’ be gappy that you are. An old scratchy Pines of Rome did it for me. Going from rocknroll (simplistic)>jazz (not complicated enough)>classic(al). I love trying to identify the instruments & realizing these guys could ‘hear’ them in their head AND write it. Incréible. Of course it wasn’t a acrimonious divorce; I still loosen up with my roknrol, relax with jazz (becoming more esoteric listening)

[@therealdealblues]

So many great ones. Fricsay, Muti (Philharmonia), Bernstein (DG), Markevitch, and a few others have always been my "go to" recordings, but I have probably 60 recordings of this work just because I love hearing it and hearing different recordings of it. One of the biggest surprises for me was Giulini and the Los Angeles Philharmonic on DG. I hadn't heard it until the Giulini Complete DG box came out. I thought it would be slow and overly heavy, but it's really exciting, dramatic, quick and dynamic. Definitely one I will be returning to more frequently.

[@cstamitz]

Giulini also recorded the Pathetique with the Philharmonia for EMI and it is also a wonderful recording.

[@Vandalarius]

One of my favorite symphonies. Thanks for this video!

[@robertromero8692]

I've NEVER paid attention to those who want to look down their noses at Tchaikovsky. His music is wonderful. No one was better at writing beautiful melodies. As for being "Too emotional", it's ridiculous to think that music shouldn't convey emotion.

[@anariondanumenor9675]

Well, Mozart was better at tunes And, of all People in the world, Tchaikovsky would admit it :dd

[@robertromero8692]

@@anariondanumenor9675 I disagree.

[@canismajoris6733]

​@@anariondanumenor9675simply untrue. Mozart was too limited by the music theory of his time

[@villain7140]

@@canismajoris6733 "Simply untrue" that Mozart was a better composer, musical mind, whatever you want to call it than Tchaikovsky? Lol

[@melissaking6019]

Tchaikovsky was a genius. He was a transcendental melodist, a brilliant orchestrator, and wrote music with a profound emotional weight that he captured in his inimitable way.

[@robertjones447]

Gergiev with the Marinsky . . . astounding! His sonorities, pacing, and climaxes are channeling Toscanini. Speaking of which, Toscanini made this symphony sing as few others have.

[@classicalperformances8777]

ah, but WHICH gergiev. i liked him in the 90s( from videos I see now, as I was a child then) but experiencing him live nowadays, omg....what a phony. Sorry, just my opinion.

[@robertjones447]

@@classicalperformances8777 No need to apologize. Not everyone is consistently great. I love Muti when he was in Philadelphia with Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. Not so much with Beethoven's 7th.

[@Toggitryggva]

I second Mr. Hurwitz's order: Read Galina! Simply wonderful.

[@abrain]

Yes! I got an autographed copy for like $10.

[@WoutDC]

Thanks for this overview David! It comes at a good time. This was the symphony that made me first realize how powerfull orchestral music could be, but I haven't really listened to it for about two or three years. Probably going to it hear it twice this concert season, so I've been trying to get back into Tchaikovsky, just hadn't found the time till now.

[@Jeff-wb3hh]

Dear David, How in the world do you have so much time to listen to so many recordings and do so many review videos? My God man, how do you do it? Anyway, thank you for giving us these eccentric, entertaining, informative and humorous reviews. I have to say it took me a long time to get used to your style and take, but now that I am, I really like you.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Well, I've been listening for 45 years at least, and I have a trick memory--I really do. I remember almost everything musical that I've ever heard, especially differences between versions of the same thing. It's a quirk, and I can't really explain it, since my memory is quite fallible normally--just not when it comes to music.

[@geoffradnor9357]

@@DavesClassicalGuide It reminds me of something I heard about Sviatoslav Richter, he could remember the names of everyone he has ever met, and maybe the details of the conversation.

[@antoineduchamp4931]

@@DavesClassicalGuide David you came into this world to love music, and moreover to spread that love around to a huge and appreciative audience, for more than 45 years. The heavens needed a voice to explain how great our music is, and it fell to you to be their choice.

[@jasonmossman3680]

I have heard Karajan and like all his recordings they can be scrappy in places. I have Ashkenazy with the Philharmonia and don't need to look any further. It's impeccably played and the sound quality is as good as it gets. 80's Decca sound is sensational. Great video Dave as usual.

[@dem8568]

​@@DavesClassicalGuideQuite a gift. If you search for a Radiolab podcast episode called "A 4-Track Mind", you might be in for a treat, if you're into that sort of thing. It's a fascinating look at what the human brain is capable of musically. I wish I had his, and your, musical memories!

[@josecarmona9168]

I had a time in which I didn't listen to Tchaikovsky's music because I thought it was "easy", or " just beauty", or nonsense like those. Then your channel came and I realised how moronic I was. Now I listen again a lot of his music, and for me Tchaikovsky is one of the very greatest. So thank you, David. And I love your recomendation about Haitink's cycle (in the complete cycle video). I think Haitink is one who nails it and I never should have thought.

[@nattyco]

I love your take on modern, young conductors. You are spot on. My introduction to the 'Pathetique' was Monteux's recording on a mono LP. I still have it in my collection of records and it still sounds beautiful.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

The first classical LP I ever bought, (I was in sixth grade at the time) was the wonderful Giulini PIT6 on Seraphim. Yes, I absolutely imprinted on it, and I still love it. One of my favorite Pathetiques ever.

[@jameslee2943]

Thanks for another fascinating talk, would be interested to read the "Hi Fidelity" article! Perhaps a future video could cover "Misunderstood Bernstein"? (maybe including his Amsterdam Mahler 9?)

[@flowsouth8496]

I love it when you do these talks where you go through 15-20 recordings of a major work. The advantage of the Brilliant Classics Muti box compared to the EMI boxes available around the same time is that it doesn't split symphonies across discs.

[@24hoursadaywithbobr]

I was looking for the best version of this to send to my loved one. I ran across your channel whilst looking for the best Beethhoven 6th and , if I may, you nailed it. So...here I am for the Tchaikovsky . Hopefully Amazon has your favorite. I've been a novice for 40 years and will happily remain so for the next 20. Cheers

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Welcome! Thanks for listening. Remember, if you can't find my top choice, there are several alternatives that many would say are just as good or better. You can't go wrong with any of them. So don't make yourself crazy over it.

[@WyldRage]

Just heard Daniele Gatti's Tchaikovsky 6th. Love it! Beautiful recording, thank you for the recommandation.

[@jacklong2286]

I believe the Karajan version you mention is his last analog recording with the Berlin Philharmonic from 1976. It remains my go to version even today, although I have many other digital recordings. No other recording of the Pathetique that I have heard has the intensity and such beautiful playing. Karajan also recorded it digitally again with the Berlin Philharmonic in the 1980s, but it is not nearly as inspired.

[@antonioantonio-no2uc]

Tchaikovsky/Bernstein/ New York/ DGG: ABSOLUTA MARAVILLA.

[@tonycrosbie3846]

Love the Young Frankenstein reference to Bruckner.

[@MT-fw6zp]

thank you Dave - such an informative and entertaining episode - you are a treasure !

[@heifetz14]

Incase some people are not aware of this,there is a live Szell/Cleveland performance on you tube.Pretty,pretty,pretty good.

[@ΘΑΝΑΣΗΣΓΡΟΥΣΠΑΣ]

Another performance, worth listening to, is in my opinion Martinon with Vienna Phil.(1958). Excellent playing and sonics. Martinon direction pays attention to every orchestration detail and is perfectly balanced, intense where it has to be, without being hysterical, lyrical but not over-sentimental.

[@vincentspinelli9995]

Another enjoyable and informative presentation. Fun too. Lots of my favorites here especially these three: Monteux, Mravinsky and Munch. Tops for me. Will explore the others. A billion years ago in the early days of stereo, I remember a surprisingly good one from Carlo Maria Giulini on EMI with the Philharmonia I think. I lost the lp in one of my moves. Does anyone else remember it?

[@charlespowell9117]

Yes! I have this --I really love it as I do Giulini!

[@minquino]

Oh yes, the beautiful Giulini recording!! I had that one too, on lp. And I enjoyed it very much and many times.

[@michaelbishop5559]

I have the Giuliani performance on EMI as well, It’s stunning…like almost everything he recorded:

[@edwinbelete76]

I too had the Giulini on lp and have fond memories of it.

[@hughwhaley9605]

The overall qualities of the RCA Japan complete Tchaikovsky symphonies by Philadelphia with Ormandy is solid in every aspect.

[@quietmind7476]

How can you be so brilliant as critic and drop dead hysterical re Bruckner? Bernstein will always be the prize for the 6th.

[@quietmind7476]

Abbado and Celi are both wanting in this symphony. I want to hear your top 3.

[@barrysaines254]

You make a lot of good points about choosing a recording, many thanks Dave.

[@craigkowald3055]

I saw Jurowski conduct the Pathetique with the Russian National Orchestra in Seattle some years ago. He did it without a score. One of the greatest performances I've seen of any work.

[@joewebb1983]

I suspect this video could have gone on for another 40mins... And I would have watched it 😊 It is a tremendous work both in emotion and form, as you say. I adore it. I have the majority of the recordings you recommended aside from the Levine and the Melik-Pasharev - I'll try to find them. So glad that Dorati and Gatti are mentioned, they are very fine. I also like Maazel's - it has a good mix of emotion, playing and attention to the score (short 2nd cymbal clash in 3rd movement, split strings so important in 4th). I also love Silvestri's performance with the Philharmonia, the way he phrases the final movement, words cannot describe it. Of more modern recordings I like Dausgaard and Pappano... I think they both do a very good job. I agree about Fricsay... Perfection.

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

YAY!!! I have some of those. I do enjoy the Reiner, though. I have the old RCA Ormandy/Philly version on 78s. I think it was his first recording for that label. Very good, video thank you.

[@hwelf11]

"Musicology has never given Tchaikovsky much credit..." This was certainly true at least in the West up until ,the late 70's, when the first volume of British scholar David Brown's four volume biographical study came out. Brown states in his intro to V.1, "The Early Years" that as a student, T's music "appealed to me then, but...I was a little ashamed of my response...[but] the intervening years have disclosed qualities in him that I had never suspected, and with which I believe he is still far too rarely credited." In 2006, FIifteen years after the publication of the fourth volume, "The Final Years" (which contains a thoughtful and detailed analysis of the Pathetique - or "pot of tea", "puddity" or "potato", as it is variously rendered by the closed captions), Brown produced a single volume entitled "Tchaikovsky - the Man and his Music" which was intended as a biography/listener's guide aimed at "readers who may have little or no knowledge of musical theory and terminology, who may wish to make a closer acquaintance with a selection of Tchaikovsky's individual works." For those able to follow the musical examples, the earlier 4 volume study is of course more thorough and detailed, and especially valuable for detailed background, plot synopses and musical analyses of all the operas, for many of which, information is still hard to come by. Re the "Italian" quality of his melodies: to anyone questioning this assertion, I'd suggest taking a look at the 1937 McDonald-Eddy film "Maytime" which contains a sequence where the two stars perform a mini "opera" called "Czaritsa" concocted by MGM house composer Herbert Stothart using themes from the the 5th Symphony. It's remarkable how well T's tunes adapt to being turned into a love duet a la Puccini, which I think shows how vocal and Italianate these themes are.

[@HassoBenSoba]

Interesting that you mention "Maytime", a truly classic film. Initially, I recoiled from the "Czaritsa" episode, but must admit it works very well, for reasons you point out. Stothart occasionally resorted to wholesale use of "classic" repertoire for his big MGM soundtracks (Tchaik's Manfred Sym in "the Three Musketeers" ('48) and Delius' Appalachia in "The Yearling" ('46), but at least the original composer was given prominent screen credit. LR

[@bbailey7818]

Then there is the 1943 Universal 'Phantom of the Opera' with Nelson Eddy. Remember 'Love and Duty-- or Gloire?' (Amour et Gloire) taken from Tchaik 4th. With some Chopin thrown in.

[@b1i2l336]

Spot on review, as per usual! Fricsay has always been my absolute favorite. Three other favorites are Silvestri/Philharmonia, Kondrashin, and Mravinsky/1982 live.

[@barrysaines254]

Glorious!!!!

[@dhoffheimerj]

I am not a Tchaikovsky fan when I am not listening to him. But whenever I hear him, which is not often, I am seduced against my will into the glorious emotion of his genius.

[@pauldavidartistclub6723]

Ditto

[@janventer2892]

Oooh......come on !

[@waynesmith3767]

Huh?

[@joewebb1983]

Wow... A nice surprise on a Sunday. My most favourite Tchaikovsky work and one of my most favourite of all works. I look forward to seeing the results of this one... 😊

[@joewebb1983]

@@finlybenyunes8385 sorry, my favouritist.

[@ralphbruce1174]

My recordings of this 6th is the one conducted by Rojdestvensky. I like it. Mravinsky is on my top list. And Golovanov is my crazy one. And Mengelberg, I could'nt stop listening to it when I got it. And I will consider to get the Fricsay one. Thank you

[@langsamwozzeck]

I have nothing to add about the actual recordings -- you hit all my favorites, and there are so many good ones out there. But I will add that I think this symphony is a great candidate for a complete beginner's very first classical recording. Many times, you have to overcome the prejudice that classical music is either stuffy music for geriatric snobs or the equivalent of a plate of steamed vegetables, supposedly good for you but utterly joyless to sit there and swallow ("Mozart to Get Your Baby Into Harvard"). And hey, you can't always predict what will reach out and grab you. I'm sure for some people, the St. Matthew Passion or Pierrot Lunaire is just the ticket to get them hooked. But for most people, I think Tchaikovsky gets it right: great tunes, great orchestration, heart on his sleeve emotions. The beautiful parts are beautiful, the exciting parts are exciting. That's why I think the classic Mravinsky set is a particularly great candidate. Yes, the Fricsay is more musical, the Munch is better played. But I think the white-hot intensity of that recording is such a shock-and-awe moment the first time you hear it (yes, I know you said not to say other recordings are more exciting). It shows that classical can be just as thrilling, as loud, as heart pumping as anything in popular music. And it certainly doesn't hurt that it's very easy to find, probably hasn't gone out of print since the day it was issued.

[@miketackett4283]

"...I think this symphony is a great candidate for a complete beginner's very first classical recording..." Funny you should mention that -- I was a young and naïve teenager (eons ago) when I stepped into a record store and boldly asked for 'something classical'. The clerk suggested Tchaikovsky so I grabbed the 6th symphony, sight unseen. Never heard of a 'symphony', never heard of Tchaikovsky. "In the key of B minor" threw me because I didn't know what a key was, so I asked if they had it in any other key. Never looked back...

[@vasgeza]

The Bruckner bits were hilarious.

[@JohnDoe-jt4ju]

Thanks, I'll have to check out some of your recommendations. The first recording I ever heard was part of an early Reader's Digest (RCA) box set; early stereo recording performed by the London Festival Orchestra conducted by Alexander Gibson. The brass section in the first Movt is pretty strong and crisp.and the recording has good stereo separation.

[@janventer2892]

Im a huge fan of this incredible music...Always love the brutal passion of the Russians..Svetlanov,Mravinsky. Konstantin Ivanov, Gennady Rozhdestvensky.....doing this music.

[@dennisbade3874]

Found the Fricsay as part of his Complete Recordings on DG (Part 3 of Volume 1), which includes TWO Pathétiques, Berlin Phil and the Radio Symphony. The shock is that the one you’re recommending is fully 8 minutes longer. 50 minutes vs 42!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yep. And I love every extra minute.

[@timfranken513]

Hey David, I love your channel and it's great to hear your love for Tchaikovsky. I love Tchaikovsky too, my favorite is the 5th symphony. That slow darkish opening melody and then....ah... Greatness. It's the first classical piece that I listened to 20 some years ago, I was coming from metal then and going through a lot of exploring musically, pop, jazz/fusion, singer songwriter and I stumbled on this symphony and it was the first time I actively listened to a classical piece with my eyes closed and it took me in. I loved it. It was a version by some London Orchestra (don't remember which) with Arpad Joo as conductor. Any way, enough rambling, I'm going to check your channel if you've made a video on the 5th.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have not, yet, although I have done a list of "Ideal" Tchaikovsky symphonies.

[@timfranken513]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Hi David. Thanks for your reply. As I said, Tchaikovsky's 5th has a special place in my heart,.I would love to hear your take on it, about the piece itself and the various recordings. But in the meanwhile your 6th symphony has got me inspired to listen once again to the 6th (the ones I have at least). Tonight I've listened to Karajan's version and Gergiev's (a bit tricky maybe in these days), difficult to compare because the Gergiev (Mariinsky 2010 ish) version has a better sound quality, still have to listen to a Mikhail Pletnev version I have for comparison.

[@larrykatz3333]

Bless David Hurwitz. From another angle, someone should compile a list of some of the treasures in the captions. For this symphony, one of the best: The Potted Teak.

[@MrDHRR]

The contrast between the 62 Markevitch's recording with the LSO and the Bernstein NYPO from the 1987 is fascinating. The first movement is 18'37'' in the Markevitch rendition. L.B. takes 22'34" in his late 80s version. The finale is 9'45" long in the I.M. recording. In Bernstein's it is 17'12" (!). Markevitch version is very swift, one might indeed say antisentimental, but also acoustically voluptuous, and the clarity in the dialogue between orchestral sections can even be "tasted". I was surprised also at how well it is recorded. I felt almost in a concert hall. On the other end, Bernstein's contrasts are monumental. The change from the main "love theme" to the menacing, pessimistic passage in the first movement is crushing, even though I think the very slow tempi feels like trying to walk on heavy snow, and it takes away from the menacing atmosphere and tension that could be better with more energy (before tragedy, there should be tension, menace, not just sadness and lamentation). Anyway, thanks to Mr. Hurwitz for these recommendations. My favorite so far is Karajan's from the mid 60s. I still have a lot of these to hear.

[@ScottHughes-n4u]

Karajan's mid '60s version is beautiful except for all those late woodwind entrances in the first movement which makes me nuts.

[@hoifcheu7533]

I am so glad to hear your view on Bernstein's NYP on DG. Its 4th movement has always been my favorite. Some negative reviews of Bernstein made me wonder if I were crazy. I agree that Fricsay is the first choice on the whole.

[@brucemiller5356]

i wanted to add this comment last week when i watched the vid; unfortunately google now demands one login b4 leaving a comment and it took me days to get back into goodle. anyway, i disagree with you from time to time, but i must say your comments on p.i. tchaikovsky were just excellent. thank you.

[@dennischiapello7243]

Interesting point about Bernstein's "expansion" of the fourth movement, because that movement has always seemed more along the lines of an epilogue, and I don't mean that in a negative way. So I'm very curious to hear the effect of Bernstein's approach. I'm also curious about Russian performances. I read that when Stravinsky visited Soviet-era Moscow, he (and his entire entourage) were struck by the completely different sound of The Rite of Spring. After years of hearing precise, sonically polished performances by European and American orchestras, the composer felt he was reintroduced to the "primitive menace" of his original inspiration. (I'm drawing on Stephen Walsh's biography.)

[@jefolson6989]

Heard Lenny conduct this at Ravinia not long before he died. The last movement was even slower than the record. Absolute silence from the crowd, and a long silence at the end - then- PANDEMONIUM! Last time I saw him.

[@colinwrubleski7627]

A slight digression from the topic in question: The 4 Tchaik orchestral Suites are woefully underperformed and recorded in comparison with the symphonies. A DH review of the suites would be heartily appreciated... Hint.Hint.^^

[@johnwright7557]

A daunting task! My first acquaintance with the Pathetique was with Mitropoulos and the NY Phil Sym on LP that was soon replaced with Ormandy’s first stereo version on Columbia. I don’t remember how many copies of that I bought-but several to find one where you could actually hear the quiet opening without distracting clicks and pops! Much later I turned to Ashkenazy on cassette and then Pletnev’s first recording on CD because of all the rave reviews. I never liked it though, finding it cold and impersonal. Now on CD it is that Ashkenazy/Philharmonia on Decca for the fabulous sound as much as the wonderful performance, though I also like Gatti’s Royal Phil accounts of 4, 5, & 6.

[@UlfilasNZ]

For me Temirkanov on RCA strikes a great balance between 'Russianness' and elegance.

[@brianliu522]

To me, the Mravinsky with Leningrad Philharmonic on DGG 1960 is outstanding as a performance even though the recording quality is somewhat crude but quite acceptable.😊

[@martinrichard237]

Munch and Fricsay and Mravinsky. And the crazy emphatic Mengelberg" I do not want to choose.

[@setonix850]

I certainly agree of most of what David is saying here. Tchaikovsky is certainly main stream for me and always has. Some Mahler I like, however cannot for the life of me listen to Bruckner & be inspired. The Pathetique is still a favourite, particularly since the Sydney Symphony performed it almost exactly a year ago along with Hilary Hahn and the Prokofiev VC 1. So, of course I saw the Hilary & the Pathetique three times ! One point though, was Karajan superb with all of Tchaikovsky symphonies ? Around 35 years ago I purchased a Karajan CD of Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. I was quite enjoying the recording until my dear departed parents heard it. Both knew the 5th very well, having heard many Russian performances and they also never missed a Tchaikovsky ballet or Opera. As it turned out they said the Karajan 5th performance was way overemphasising the beat and timing like you would hear in a Beethoven Symphony. So they encouraged me to listen to a Russian orchestra for a more flowing and authentic performance, and I certainly agreed with them.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Mom and Dad were wrong, obviously.

[@setonix850]

In all fairness David, I don’t believe they were wrong. Perhaps it was this particular performance. I can try and find it for you.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@setonix850 Relax. I was joking (sigh).

[@setonix850]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Ha Ha ! Good man. Till next time.

[@garysikon1812]

I loved the dohnanyi cleveland recording. Is there any chance decca Does a dohnanyi box at some point?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I wish.

[@toddschurk8143]

I'm pretty sure that the Dohnanyi/Cleveland Tchaikovsky 6 was a Telarc recording, not Decca. But yes, a Decca Dohnanyi complete box would be wonderful. He's very deserving of one.

[@garysikon1812]

@@toddschurk8143 you are right...don't know who owns telarc recordings. I was a regular in the dohnanyi days and also saw the last few years of maazel in Cleveland. I would like to hear the story of what happened to the cleveland orchestra ring cycle. Dave has hinted he might give us the story one of these days.

[@carlconnor5173]

Markevitch is still my choice, as it is with all Tchaikovsky Symphonies, save for Maazel here and there. But I shall be checking out Bernstein and Fricsay. And I’ll revisit Ormandy, which I think was my first hearing ages ago. I still find the triumphant 3rd movement being followed by the depths of despair in the Finale incongruous. It’s certainly intentional. Whether he knew he was dying or was suicidal is unknown. Anything surmised is pure conjecture.

[@brianwilliams9408]

The one I grew up with was Vladimir Golschmann on open reel on the Vanguard label. I listen to it now and I feel he is outclassed by a good many others. Not bad by any means, but doesn't compare with so many of the great ones out there.

[@richardevans3624]

The great thing about the sixth symphony of Tchaikovsky is if you want a happy ending, just swap the last two movements around. It works surprisingly well. Sure, you'll go to hell, but it is really mind bending to hear if you've never done it. 😆

[@stradivariouspaul1232]

Thanks David, some really interesting sounding versions to try. My own favourite recording is a different 70s option, Ozawa with the Orchestre de Paris, please dont dismiss due to reservations over the orchestra, it really is a great performance (great analogue sound too). So glad Pletnev wasn't mentioned, I bought his Russian National Orchestra version wanting a digital version years ago on the back of a glowing reference from the Penguin Guide but found it very underwhelming.. I do like the Ashkenazy Philharmonia recording but Ozawa has been my go to up to now

[@mr-wx3lv]

David why don't you like Bruckneerrrr (screeeeech)? True Tscaikovsky was a vastly superior composer in terms of orchestration, emotional dynamics etc, but Bruckner was raised in an Austrian village, hearing only Catholic liturgy in his early years. He did amazingly well at hitting on a very original sound, which his contemporaries struggled to grasp. Tscaikovsky was light years away from this. He was more of an entertainer. Far more gifted in variety of dynamics and wore his heart on his sleeve. Two of my favourite composers. Even though lightyears apart...

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I love Bruckner. Pay attention and you'll see.

[@matthewsinger]

I'm curious your thoughts on Dutoit's performance with Montreal on Decca. It seems to make a lot of other people's lists, and is one of my favorites as well, and it kind of surprised me that you didn't mention it at all.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It made little impression on me.

[@tuttifrutti2229]

Ferenc Fricsay 3 vol compilation on Spotify has the sixth twice. One with the deutsche symphonie orchestre and Berliner . The Berliner is fast , sublime. Conductors don’t do Tchaikovsky this way anymore. Just exhilarating…

[@robertdandre94101]

my favorite fricsay recording....(1) beethoven 7 ,(2) schereazade,(3) the pathetique,.....a midsummer nigth dream,and the rite of spring...all on dgg or heliodor....and the strauss walz...!!!! of course

[@maquina7002]

Karajan/Berlin (DG) Levine (RCA)

[@MisterPathetique]

Hello Dave, Thank you for bringing the Levine/Chicago recording to my attention, it is indeed quite impressive! I just came back to this video to mention what would be my personal addition to your list, and that is Charles Mackerras with the Philharmonia Orchestra on Signum, which is also a sleeper. First of all, the sound is absolutely glorious, the presence of the bass drum in the third movement will make a few walls shake. And the rest is just pure Mackerras, it's deeply musical, colorful, fresh exciting... The tam-tam stroke at the end of the last movement is particularly lovely too.

[@joshuaweiner6378]

Fantastic talk! I also love several of these picks. David, what do you think of the Pathetique in that recent box of Rodzinski’s Columbia 1940s recordings?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Underwhelming.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Wondering just how many recordings of this work were made by the Philharmonia Orchestra. They may hold the record.

[@MaggiMagg1]

Thanks, Dave, for a most interesting talk. I'm quite curious about what you think about Paavo Järvi's 6th from Zürich. I admire his cycle and find the 6th very good.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Haven't heard it yet.

[@bradwilkins9347]

I think the Muti / Philly remake is also on EMI. If you have the big Muti box, you can compare the two. I am enjoying the recent Pittsburgh / Honeck recording. It’s also has a fun suite from Dvorak’s Rusalka.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes.

[@maximisaev6974]

I forgot to add, but I'm curious; Dave, your opinion of Ormandy's 1960 stereo version?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

What's not to like?

[@pauldavidartistclub6723]

Mr. Hurwiitz, I don’t think you’ve done a. Fricsay box video yet, not Tchaikovsky’s FIFTH if not mistaken

[@carlconnor5173]

David, I’m sure I won’t get her spelling right. But I just heard a superb recording of the 6th by Nali Stitzman conducting the SFO live. I don’t know when it was recorded, but I think it’s as good as it gets. The intro to the concert mentioned that Tchaikovsky intended to compose a 7th, evidenced by outlines and/or sketches for it. Forgive if you’ve already talked about it, but have you anything to say about it?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Natali Stutzman? As for the Seventh, it was cobbled together after T's death. Ormandy recorded it. Nothing special there.

[@carlconnor5173]

@@DavesClassicalGuideYes, it must be Natali. As to the 7th, thanks for the warning. My curiosity might still get the better of me.

[@carlconnor5173]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Well, David, I ‘satisfied’ my curiosity about the 7th. That 1st movement is almost identical to the opening of his 3rd piano concerto. What gives with that? That 2nd movement is DREADFUL! The rest is a lot of symbols and filer and whatever. It’s hard to believe Ormandy actually recorded that crap.

[@carlosg.ramirezarevalo8921]

Alguien que me diga en su opinión cual es la mejor versión de la Cuarta Sinfonía de Tchaikovsky? Es mi favorita y parece que a los que revisan discos no les interesa reseñarla. Tengo muchas de las grabaciones que menciona el señor Hurwitz, pero me interesaría más que me recomendaran versiones de la Cuarta de T.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Por favor, espere el siguiente video!

[@hamidrezahabibi8111]

I could only find Muti/Philadelphia Orchestra Tchaikovsky cycle 🔁 EMI on Apple 🍎 Music 🎵. Does this one count as your reference as well?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No.

[@brucknerian9664]

I've never wanted to revisit this symphony,; why? Maybe for fear of being driven close to suicide, or a desire to drive my car into a brick wall to get in the right mood.

[@tubaman3654]

Hi Dave, what’s your opinion on the Honeck recording of Tchaikovsky 6?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Check out the review at ClassicsToday.com.

[@HYP3RK1NECT]

Tal vez la patética de Tchaikovsky no es tan favorita miá, pero la interpretación de Fricsay, merece ser respetada por la situación del interprete en ese entonces. Es como si el mismo Tchaikovsky lo dirigiese.

[@dmntuba]

I'm not suggesting that this recording should be included on this list ( just me thinking out loud), but didn't Ormandy do 4-5-6 on Delos near the end of his life? Just asking 😁

[@johnfowler7660]

5 and 6

[@piotrkaminski8737]

Melik-Pashayev conducted Vishnevskaya in Prokofiev's War and Peace, not in Boris.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Oops. Thanks.

[@kylejohnson8877]

Tchaikovsky’s not in vogue with conductors today? That’s news to me - his music is being programmed by American orchestras with more frequency than ever, in my experience.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Good.

[@johnrichmond1495]

I think that the recording by Mitropoulos is very fine. Columbia/Sony managed to record Mitropoulos in much of the wrong--for him--repertoire. But Tchaikovsky's #6 is on the mark.

[@jensguldalrasmussen6446]

What can one say but: give us that Mitropoulos box, SONY!

[@danielhornby5581]

Coming back to this video - it is probably my favourite work - I think the Mravinsky 4th is brilliant, but not a big fan of the 6th. Didn’t enjoy the Haitink to be honest, found it dull and fairly lifeless. Munch is great and I think his earlier recording is decent too, but let down by the recording technology available the 1930s. I wonder how many of these early recordings would come out as reference ones if they were in decent mono or stereo? I will go back and listen to a lot of these as our opinions can change!

[@svendeckers1964]

Just a question: in what video did the Bruckner/Horse running gag start? I must have missed it.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Me too. I don't remember.

[@marknewkirk4322]

Young Frankenstein

[@brucemiller5356]

correct; tchaikovsky has never been given due credit. seems a lot of music snobs hiss at his name. i wonder if it could have anythint go do with his sexual orientation....................................

[@brunoluong7972]

To conduct well the Pathetique, the conductor name should start with an M : Mravinsky, Monteux, Munch, Markevicth, Makerras, Mitropoulos, Maazel, Mehta. The Martinon sucks however.

[@jparfrey]

Did Mr. Hurwitz say that Tchaikovsky is a better composer than Mahler and Bruckner?

[@Don-md6wn]

If he did, I agree with him.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

No. I said he's better than Bruckner.

[@dr.alexanderhall4916]

David, I know you have something against Currentzis and put him in your pseuds/frauds category, but I do wish you would listen again with fresh ears to his Pathétique. If you want intensely expressive and passionate, how can you not like this? Added to which, both the playing and recording are sensationally good. You will have to search high and low for a very long time before you hear a better recorded bass line. And btw please don't continue that hoary old cliché about Schumann not knowing how to orchestrate. There are enough conductors who have achieved miracles of transparency in the symphonies, which gives the lie to the claim that everything Schumann wrote was thick and turgid (the standard gripe of those who don't like German Romantic symphonies).

[@aatim2308]

Tchaikovsky himself wrote that Schumann could not orchestrate and Piotr was a great admirer of Schumann's music. So...

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Why do you assume I dislike the Currentzis performance? I don't. I agree entirely with Victor Carr, Jr's ClassicsToday.com review: www.classicstoday.com/review/teodor-currentizis-super-heated-tchaikovsky-pathetique/?search=1. As to Schumann, the fact that some conductors play the music well does not alter the fact that it is badly scored. It is, demonstrably. It can be made to sound well. That's all there is to it.

[@richardwilliams473]

"Thick and Furious " ? You mean Thick and Fast !

[@ftumschk]

You can also have "fast and furious", so "thick and furious" is a neat amalgam of the two idioms.

[@richardwilliams473]

@@ftumschk Okay. I can buy that !

[@dmntuba]

I had the Ashkenazi 4,5,6 on cassettes and use to listen to them in the car when I would drive from South Carolina to Miami (and back) They where FANTASTIC and will always hold a special place in my heart 👍

[@marceloforones6939]

“It’s time to come back to Tchaikovsky!” Man, you made my day!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@davidecarlassara8525]

Big, big Tchaikovsky fan here. And my personal favorite 6th is Toscanini.

[@lukesinclair4337]

Previously, I only had the top cycles to go by. I had been impressed by the performances under Haitink and Markevitch especially, but also Mehta. I'm glad to get to know some of these singleton performances. I just listened to the Munch, and I'm very glad for it. It's moved me deeply. Enough said, thank you David

[@michaelmasiello6752]

Wonderful video, David--I discovered a few versions of this symphony I had never heard! Thank you, as always. But I wanted to respond to something you said about the general decline in Tchaikovsky conducting (with notable exceptions) and his reduced status among the would-be cognoscenti of the classical music world (though not, as you noted elsewhere, among audiences, where he remains a bigger concert draw Bruckner--the horseless version of whom I also love, incidentally; I'm very glad the world contains Tchaikovsky and Bruckner, though I share your dislike of Bruchhhhhhhhhhkner). The particular point you made concerned the role of musicologists in downplaying Tchaikovsky's worth, self-recommending though he is, because their clinical descriptive vocabulary doesn't enable them to talk meaningfully about that most precious of commodities: a good tune. My thought is this: if musicologists can't or won't do this, that is why we have critics; that is why we have you. Rather than worry about repeating discussions of the same cycles across multiple videos, or about appearing hopelessly retrogressive and old--no one who has heard you speak in glowing terms about excellent modern performances or challenging modern repertoire could possibly think that--I think one more yeoman service this channel can do, especially as its audience and influence continues to grow, is to take viewers on trips through great works, exactly as you tend to do in the Haydn "crusade." Those videos are treasures not only because of your wonderful aptitude for discussing form, but because of your exuberance for the way those forms become the vessels and vehicles of "glorious!" music. Perhaps the way to approach Tchaikovsky in the future, especially for newcomers, is to provide guided tours of his symphonies (and other great works--like those marvelous orchestral suites no one seems to talk about), calling attention both to how different mottoes and motives are developed across movements (the "musicological" stuff) but also the purely aesthetic matters of which the critic is, etymologically and otherwise, the judge (the "just LISTEN to this damned tune!" stuff). I say this because it really is something special and wonderful this channel does: it combines musicology and a real enthusiasm for beauty to provide a refreshingly non-academic, accessible guide to "what to listen for in music" (as Copland put it). It is this combination of rigor and accessibility that is likely to open the most new ears to something as wonderful as Tchaikovsky. And as someone who teaches Gen Z kids (and is raising one), I can tell you: they could all use a bit of Tchaikovsky in their lives: real, unironic warmth and feeling that can make us long for meaningful connection to one another. He is not a hipster's composer; he speaks to those real feelings that make us human. So maybe you don't need to worry about the discography (though I always love to find new versions to enjoy). You can say "go watch my video on the ideal Tchaikovsky cycle" and indulge your love of form AND content. It is always a joy to watch you hold forth on a piece for thirty or forty minutes, taking it apart and calling attention to its secrets. Your viewers stand to learn more about Tchaikovsky (and Bruckner!) the more often you do just that. Just my two (prolix) cents. Thanks for the great video!

[@keithe.7716]

That's incredible that Bernstein read your review! I love that performance, will always be dear to me.

[@ibrahimyange1528]

Pyotr's magnum opus for me.