Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique"; Romeo and Juliet

Chronique

This disc of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet and his Symphony No. 6 in B minor, "Pathétique," may seem unremarkable, for both works are famous warhorses, and one may wonder what distinguishes this RCA reissue from many other recordings. If the music itself is standard fare, then listeners may hope that some interest lies in the conductor's approach to Tchaikovsky's music, or in his handling of two different orchestras. Yuri Temirkanov offers little out of the ordinary in Romeo and Juliet, neither in interpretation nor in execution, and his reading with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is not compelling. In fact, the orchestra's playing is a little scrappy in places, and Temirkanov seems to have inspired little passion or commitment. But the recording of the Symphony No. 6 tells a different story, for here Temirkanov is imaginative and deeply expressive, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra is in complete accord with his interpretation. The orchestra provides intense emotion, vivid colors, and brilliant technique, and Temirkanov shapes its playing into an elegantly shaped and finely detailed whole, and every phrase is treated with loving care. So this disc is recommended for this splendid performance and its excellent recording, but not for the lackluster Romeo and Juliet.

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