Leonard Bernstein led his New York players in electrifying recordings of the complete Tchaikovsky symphonies in the 1960s and early ’70s. This cycle for American Columbia includes Bernsteins only versions on disc of the first three symphonies as well as superb performances of No. 4 Big, rich, boldly colorful engineering does justice to it’s impulsive opening movement, dazzling scherzo, and ebullient finale (ClassicsToday) and No. 6: There have been some high-powered Pathétique performances on record, but none higher-powered than this. Bernstein excels himself The recording is bright and brilliant to match the interpretation (Gramophone). This reissue also contains the composers other popular orchestral works, including Romeo and Juliet, Francesca da Rimini, the 1812 Overture, Marche slave and Hamlet Fantasy.
Disc 1 –
1 Symphony No. 1 in G minor “Winter Daydreams” Op. 13
2 Symphony No. 2 in C minor “Little Russian” Op. 17
– Disc 2 –
1 Symphony No. 3 in D Major “Polish” Op. 29
2 Romeo and Juliet
– Disc 3 –
1 Symphony No. 4 in F minor Op. 36
2 Francesca Da Rimini Op. 32
– Disc 4 –
1 Symphony No. 5 in E minor Op. 64
2 Slavonic March Op. 31
3 1812 Festival Overture Op. 49
– Disc 5 –
1 Symphony No. 6 in B minor “Pathétique” Op. 74
2 Hamlet Op. 67