Notes and Editorial Reviews
Not another Tchaikovsky collection? Well, yes, and it's among the finest
With chorus added in the 1812 as well as the Waltz from Eugene Onegin, this is an exceptional Tchaikovsky collection, a fine start for Antonio Pappano’s recordings with his “other” orchestra. What is very striking is how refreshing the 1812 is when played with such incisiveness and care for detail, with textures clearly defined. It starts with the chorus singing the opening hymn, expanding thrillingly from an extreme pianissimo to a full-throated fortissimo. A women’s chorus then comes in very effectively, twice over, for one of the folk-themes, and at the end the full chorus sings the Tsar’s Hymn amid the usual percussion and bells, though Pappano
Read more
avoids extraneous effects, leaving everything in the hands of the orchestral instruments. It is equally refreshing to have the Waltz from Eugene Onegin in the full vocal version from the opera, again wonderfully pointed, as is the Polonaise which follows.
What comes out in all the items is the way that Pappano, in his control of flexible rubato, is just as persuasive here as he is in Puccini, demonstrating what links there are between these two supreme melodists. So he builds the big melodies into richly emotional climaxes without any hint of vulgarity, strikingly so in both Francesca da Rimini and Romeo and Juliet. Pappano is impressive in bringing out the fantasy element in Francesca, and in Romeo the high dynamic contrasts add to the impact of the performance. There have been many Tchaikovsky collections like this, but with well balanced sound, outstandingly rich and ripe in the brass section, this is among the finest.
-- Edward Greenfield, GRAMOPHONE (2/2007)
Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor:
Antonio Pappano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1876; Russia
Venue: Live Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Ita
Length: 23 Minutes 26 Secs.
Notes: Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Italy (12/03/2005 - 12/06/2005)
2.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Waltz by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Roberto Valentini (Bass Baritone),
Nikola Matisic (Tenor),
Mark Stone (Baritone)
Conductor:
Antonio Pappano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Chorus,
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877-1878; Russia
Venue: Live Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Ita
Length: 6 Minutes 11 Secs.
Language: Russian
Notes: Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Italy (12/03/2005 - 12/06/2005)
3.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Polonaise by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor:
Antonio Pappano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877-1878; Russia
Venue: Live Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Ita
Length: 4 Minutes 51 Secs.
Notes: Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Italy (12/03/2005 - 12/06/2005)
4.
1812 Overture, Op. 49 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor:
Antonio Pappano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Chorus,
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra,
Rome State Police Music Band
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Russia
Venue: Live Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Ita
Length: 16 Minutes 30 Secs.
Language: Russian
Notes: Arranger: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Italy (12/03/2005 - 12/06/2005)
5.
Romeo and Juliet Overture by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor:
Antonio Pappano
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869/1880; Russia
Venue: Live Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Ita
Length: 20 Minutes 5 Secs.
Notes: Version: 1880
Parco Della Musica Auditorium, Rome, Italy (07/07/2006 - 07/10/2006)
Sound Samples
Francesca da Rimini Op. 32
Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture
Eugene Onegin: Waltz (Act II)
Ouverture solennelle 1812 Op. 49
Customer Reviews
Be the first to review this title
Review This Title
