Famous Russian Conductors Vol 2 - Mariss Jansons

Advantages: One of the most Romantic concertos around, full of beautiful melodies and passion
Disadvantages: over-recorded

...recordings, matching Rachmaninov's own recording in its honesty of thought. The performance has much dramatic flair, with a great sense of freshness and conviction. The slow movement in particular is truly magical indeed. Ashkenazy's later recording with the London Symphony Orchestra and André Previn is not as satisfying despite some first class playing. The recorded sound is a little too gruff at times and the orchestra is not as polished as one would wish but with all four concertos offered in one budget-priced package it might prove tempting to many. Mikhail Rudy's version with Mariss Jansons and the Royal Philharmonic offers a superb recording, with the orchestra and soloist's relationship in perfect harmony. The recorded sound is beautiful and the work really comes off as a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra instead of a concerto for piano... Read review

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Advantages: Romantic, passionate and beautiful
Disadvantages: Unless you have a heart of stone absolutely none whatsoever

...of the Century with much improved sound and also including as a bonus a beautiful account of the Vocalise and two excerpts from the opera Aleko. Close behind I would rank the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's account under Andrew Litton, that includes the rarely performed exposition repeat, making the first movement very long indeed. The recording is warm, with a nice fullness of timbre. I especially like the crooning strings in the lyrical moments of the first, second and fourth movements. Mariss Jansons' St.Petersburg Philharmonic recording is of very good quality, although it is far too fast for my liking, but the red-bloodedness of the performance does create much dramatic power to the work, which is also helped by a first class recording. This is particularly true in the very energetic Scherzo, while the Adagio's clarinet solo has a real authentic... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great passion, beautiful melodies, unrestrained romanticism
Disadvantages: The finale doesn't quite convince in it's purpose

...of the work. Although there are no fillers on this CD, it is quite possibly the best Tchaikovsky Fifth I have ever heard, and despite the fact that it's a live recording, the orchestra is caught amazingly well with audience noise not even noticeable when the orchestra is playing. Chandos. Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra / Mariss Jansons - Not quite as exciting as Gergiev's live recording, Jansons' is a very good and more faithful performance of the symphony than most. Good digital recording with precision playing. Harmonia Mundi. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Daniele Gatti - Unlike many other conductors, Gatti's 2003 recording of the Fifth stands apart in that it makes a conscious effort to present the work using Tchaikovsky's metronome markings and to bring us the first version of it the way it was though out by the composer. Although one needs... Read review

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