Tchaikovsky

[Que]

Personally I find none of those later recordings by the Borodin QT very good. There is a recording of the Tchaikovsky SQs with an earlier incarnation of the Borodin Qt

Took the words right out of my mouth!  

snyprr, try to locate the earlier EMI issue by the Borodin Qt - the Teldec is aggresive, soulless crap.

Q

[snyprrr]

If that's true, and I hear them in better "guises", and LIKE them, then this Borodin/Teldec set must go down as the worst performance I've ever heard of anything. I may very well still not like the music, but this set makes them sound garrulous (I think THAT'S the word I was looking for earlier).

[Herman]

Keep in mind, too, they are net the world's best SQs. One likes them arguably because one loves Tchaikovsky, and wants to hear everything he did.

[snyprrr]

Thank you. I'll stop apologizing!

[karlhenning]

Sort of like Mozart juvenilia 

[karlhenning]

I've gotten to where I genuinely enjoy the Rococo Variations, though.  First few years I knew of them, I just thought them the hokiest stuff imaginable.

[karlhenning]

Does anyone have any recommendations for Tchaikovsky String Quartet # 3 and the String Sextet "Souvenirs de Florence"?

Have you fetched in the sextet yet, Ray? Have you, have you?

[ChamberNut]

Have you fetched in the sextet yet, Ray? Have you, have you?

No, I haven't yet.  I still don't have SQ # 3 or the Sextet in the ChamberNut Chest. 

[karlhenning]

I do enjoy the quartets, but cannot really argue against neighbors who find them lower-shelf Tchaikovsky.  But the Souvenirs de Florence is essential!

[Herman]

I do enjoy the quartets, but cannot really argue against neighbors who find them lower-shelf Tchaikovsky.  But the Souvenirs de Florence is essential!

True. Both in the 6tet and in the orchestral version.

[karlhenning]

. . . 1 and 2 also have their moments, but No. 3 does absolutely nothing for me over its entire five interminable movements . . . .

If it do not, it doesn't, but . . . I like it all very well.  In a very general sense, it takes its 'character cues' from Mendelssohn . . . the drama is reserved for the outer movements, and the three interior movements are movements of poised stasis, and grace.

[karlhenning]

True. Both in the 6tet and in the orchestral version.

Hmm . . . preferred recordings of the orchestral version, Herman?

[karlhenning]

The piano trio is a masterpiece - no kidding.

I wonder if Ray is listening . . . .

[ChamberNut]

I wonder if Ray is listening . . . .

Ray is away at the moment.  I will relay him the message.  0:)

[karlhenning]

Paging Ray, white courtesy telephone, please.

[ChamberNut]

Paging Ray, white courtesy telephone, please.

Here I am.    And no...I haven't heard P.I.T.'s PT yet.  0:)

[Herman]

Hmm . . . preferred recordings of the orchestral version, Herman?

Oh, my primary experience of the orchestrated version of the Souvenir de Florence is a concert performance by the Kirov. I do have a COEurope cd conducted by Gerard Korsten. I never made serious work of looking for good, nest & better, frankly.

[Drasko]

Hmm . . . preferred recordings of the orchestral version, Herman?

Well, I'm not Herman obviously, but my favorite experience of the orchestrated version was also concert, St.Thomas-stuck-in-doorway led by Joshua Bell from first violin. Electrifying performance, unexpectedy after dullest Four Seasons one can imagine, in the first part of the evening.
As for recordings, don't know many but have fond recollections of an early Naxos disc with Vienna Chamber Orchestra led by Philippe Entremont of all people.

[Herman]

I have heard more people say good things about that Entrement recording.

[karlhenning]

I'll keep my eyes open for a live performance opportunity, then