[Elgar's Ghost]

6 (Ashkenazy)
4 (Ashkenazy)
Manfred (Pletnev)
5 (Ashkenazy)
No real preference between 2 (Slatkin) and 3 (Rilov) probably because I haven't heard them as often as the four above.

For my sins I've never heard the first one.

I'm perfectly happy with the recordings I have but I admit to having had my eyes on Mravinsky's DG stereo recording of 4-6 for some time.

 

[Nix]

6
4
1
5
(not familiar with 2 and 3)

6 is the only one I enjoy throughout. I think 4 suffers from an insincere last movement, but the rest of it, particularly the 2nd movement is genius. 1 is underrated, though the second half isn't quite up to par as the first. And 5 I just don't like at all- it's like the last movement of 4 except spread out for 50 minutes. The only bit of it I can appreciate is the slow movement, which is well constructed, but still not nearly as gorgeous and sincere as his other slow movements.

 

[violadude]

6
4
1
5
(not familiar with 2 and 3)

6 is the only one I enjoy throughout. I think 4 suffers from an insincere last movement, but the rest of it, particularly the 2nd movement is genius. 1 is underrated, though the second half isn't quite up to par as the first. And 5 I just don't like at all- it's like the last movement of 4 except spread out for 50 minutes. The only bit of it I can appreciate is the slow movement, which is well constructed, but still not nearly as gorgeous and sincere as his other slow movements.

I'm glad someone else likes his first as much as I do! The second movement is absolutely gorgeous! Actually, your list is probably the exact same as my list, with 2 and 3 in that order at the end.

 

[Nix]

I'm glad someone else likes his first as much as I do! The second movement is absolutely gorgeous! Actually, your list is probably the exact same as my list, with 2 and 3 in that order at the end.

Yes, both the first 2 movements are excellent. I never understand when scholars say this wasn't a mature work and doesn't sound like Tchaikovsky. The 2nd movement in particular reeks of him.

 

[Laudemont]

I don't believe anyone here has mentioned Tchaikovsky's 7th Symphony in Eb, as reconstructed by Semyon Bogatryev. It's a melodic work, enjoyable listening, if not up to the epic sweep of the 5th which is probably my personal favorite because of its structure (variants of the "fate" motif in the several movements). I used to own the Columbia LP of the 7th with Ormandy-Philadelphia but can't seem to locate it now, but I have the CD with Jarvi-London Philharmonic. As to the 6th, I'm not partial to it but the movement in 5/4 time is of interest.

 

[12425]

the 5th which is probably my personal favorite because of its structure (variants of the "fate" motif in the several movements).

With regards to the 'fate motif' (which I've also seen referred to as "Tchaikovsky's meditation on Beethoven's 5th"), are you not referring to the 4th symphony?

 

[Aramis]

Probably not, the 5th's "fate motif" is much more noticeable and transparent in all of it's appearances (probably because it's memorable and short) than the one in 4th and for me too the 5th is more linked with it.

 

[12425]

Probably not, the 5th's "fate motif" is much more noticeable and transparent in all of it's appearances (probably because it's memorable and short) than the one in 4th and for me too the 5th is more linked with it.

Ah yes, you're right that it's more transparent and recognisable in each of its guises; I was probably side-tracked by the conjectured Beethoven link with the 4th

 

[Curiosity]

Finally getting into Tchaik's symphonies...

So powerful! One of my favourite symphonic finales.

 

[Artemis]

I would have thought that several of Tchaikovsky's symphonies are among the most easily accessible of all the more famous symphonies.

I used to like Tchaikovsky a great deal when a lot younger. Tchaikovsky certainly knew how to pack lots of emotion into his works. I still return to his works occasionally but whenever I do so I rather tend to get that feeling that much of it is now a bit too slushy, sentimental, tear-jerking for my present tastes. On the other I can't think of any better composer for writing material in this fashion, if that's what you like.

I happened to hear an excellent version of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 at this year's Proms, by the Pittsbugh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck. I thought it was one the best Prom performances I've heard this year, with especially good brass sections. I see that the whole of that Prom (together with Beethoven's PC No 4) is being repeated on BBC Radio 3 later today.

 

[Il_Penseroso]

My ranking :

5 : Mravinsky is very good but the best I've heard is Silvestri conducting The Philharmonia Orchestra in 1954 (I have it on LP with Borodin Prince Igor Overture)

6 : Kempe with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, 1951 (?) and Mravinsky with Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, 1956

4 : Stokowski

3 : Svetlanov

2 : Svetlanov

I don't know the first and I've heard Manfred but ...

 

[Jobe]

Nobody seems to attack the Tchaikovksy symphonies much. Let's keep it that way. It's really difficult to slice these up in my favourites because each minute of each movement requires rating from me... Well, he likes to repeat a few things but, Y'KNOW.

5, - Thanks to Mravinsky
6,
3,
Manfred,
4,
1, - Yes, phenomenal last movement
2,

Symphony 2 still contains some utterly wonderful music. It's a shame we couldn't change the thread title to "7 favourite symphonies of all time" so I could just put these at the top. Now I'm being silly...

 

[Dimitri]

Thanks for sharing--fascinating similarities.

This website shows a great example of Mozart stealing from Clementi: http://www.whosampled.com/sample/vi...ic Flute Overture_Muzio Clementi-Sonata in Bb Major No. 2: I. Allegro Con Brio/

 

[realdealblues]

I think right now my preferences are:

Symphony 1
Symphony 4
Symphony 5
Symphony 6
Manfred Symphony
Symphony 2
Symphony 3

As for as recordings. 1-3 I like this one from Markevitch.
View attachment 21341

4-6 and Manfred vary but overall. I like Muti with the Philharmonia.
View attachment 21342

 

[Bix]

6, 5, Manfred, 4, 3, 2, 1, easy

 

[Skilmarilion]

Until now, Tchaikovsky's symphonies as a whole are probably my favourite set of any composer's. There is so much wonderful music, melodic invention, colourful orchestration and emotional power. I would always rank the Pathetique at the top. It is simply a masterpiece and its ending defies description.

I am not familiar with 2 and Manfred as much as the rest, so I'll only rank those ...

6
4
1
3
5*

* not that I don't love this, just a little less than the others.

 

[Radames]

I would have thought that several of Tchaikovsky's symphonies are among the most easily accessible of all the more famous symphonies.

I used to like Tchaikovsky a great deal when a lot younger. Tchaikovsky certainly knew how to pack lots of emotion into his works. I still return to his works occasionally but whenever I do so I rather tend to get that feeling that much of it is now a bit too slushy, sentimental, tear-jerking for my present tastes. On the other I can't think of any better composer for writing material in this fashion, if that's what you like.

I happened to hear an excellent version of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 at this year's Proms, by the Pittsbugh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Manfred Honeck. I thought it was one the best Prom performances I've heard this year, with especially good brass sections. I see that the whole of that Prom (together with Beethoven's PC No 4) is being repeated on BBC Radio 3 later today.

That's where Pittsburgh went this year. I love those guys! They have been at Lanaudiere just north of Montreal a couple of times. They are great - a crowd favorite. I hope they come back.

As for Tchaikovsky - I do not count Manfred as it is really a large tone poem.

6
4
5
1
2
3

6 is maybe the best ever written by anyone. The finale is THAT good. So sad and yet beautiful.

4 is very awesome too with that powerful Brucknerian first movement. The contrast of that beautiful sinewy oboe solo that begins the second movement is so seductive. The pizzicato 3rd movement is pretty unique. The finale is an explosion of mania. The best musical expression of a manic episode I have ever heard. It really makes me think that Tchaikovsky may have been bipolar.

Best recordings of these? Muti's early Philharmonia recordings are very good - but I really like Mravinsky's 4th. Solti's 4th is my favorite though- better modern sound and still a very crazed finale. I have always loved the old Szell recording of the 5th despite that woodwind missed note in the finale. The only more modern recording that I like nearly as much is Maris Janson's. That recording almost never got released! For the 6th I still like the old Guilini recording best.

 

[GraemeG]

I used to like Tchaikovsky a great deal when a lot younger. Tchaikovsky certainly knew how to pack lots of emotion into his works. I still return to his works occasionally but whenever I do so I rather tend to get that feeling that much of it is now a bit too slushy, sentimental, tear-jerking for my present tastes. On the other I can't think of any better composer for writing material in this fashion, if that's what you like.

This is pretty much me. I always thought the 1st was better than it gets credit for. 2 & 3 are quite forgettable, and I seem to be in a minority which regards 4 as way more vulgar and crass than 5.
They're not works I ever seek out any more, although I don't mind listening if they're on...
GG

 

[bigshot]

It sounds like you're drying out and becoming a lot less fun. Thankfully, the music is still vivid and alive.

 

[bigshot]

I like a lot of recordings of the symphonies, but mostly I like Svetlanov, Markevitch, Stokowski, Dorati and Bernstein. Not necessarily in that order.