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Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty / Pletnev, Russian National Orchestra


Release Date: 01/11/2000 
Label:  Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog #: 457634   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor:  Mikhail Pletnev
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian National Orchestra
Number of Discs: 2 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 2 Hours 39 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Although one might nitpick about certain tempo choices, this should be accounted a fine performance of Tchaikovsky's ballet score. Despite being squeezed onto two CDs, it has no cuts and never actually gives the impression that Pletnev is aware of the passing time. The sound of the Great Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory is drier than I would have expected from its appearance, but it's hard to complain about the orchestral detail and the well-controlled, nontinny brass who never step on anyone's toes; if the recording favors anyone, it's the strings, which does no harm at all— when you want some brass color or power, it's usually there. And the orchestra plays with considerable expression, precision, rhythmic vitality, and dynamic Read more range. For the first time in my experience, Pletnev conducts almost as well as he plays the piano. It actually sounds as if the producer set up a few mikes in front of the orchestra and merely rolled the tapes- -the recording doesn't sound "produced." If it means anything, it was executed back in October 1997. My favorite Sleeping Beauty remains Bonynge's (London) because of his more traditional ballet tempos, and Mogrelia (Naxos) runs him a close second. The former is no longer listed in Schwann (if that means anything—a couple of months ago, all Rossini listings disappeared from that publication), but the latter still is, and Pletnev's, packaged in a standard double jewelbox, will consume just as much space on your shelf and probably cost a few bucks more despite having one less CD in the package. Mogrelia takes 173 minutes to traverse the whole score and, in the apparent absence of Bonynge's, is my first choice, but anyone who purchases this "new" Pletnev recording will be getting a high-quality Sleeping Beauty.

-- James Miller, FANFARE [5/2000] Read less

Works on This Recording

1. Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Conductor:  Mikhail Pletnev
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian National Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1888-1889; Russia 
 Date of Recording: 10/1997 
Venue:  Great Hall, Moscow State Conservatory 
Length: 159 Minutes 1 Secs. 

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