Tchaikovsky's 5th, the best for the price.

[AnthonyAthletic]

"Its the best I've ever heard"

Does this translate to:

"Its the only one I have" or "Out of the two I own, this is the best ever of all time"

Not only this recording, but most of Ozawa's recordings need trashing.  The only half decent ones I have heard from the Maestro are his 1960's Tchaikovsky violin/piano #1 with Browning/Friedman, and the Sibelius with Mullova.  His Mahler set individually is the most boring 'waste of a burn' ever.

[Lilas Pastia]

c#minor, don't take the flak personally. A lot of people don't like Ozawa (or Abbado, or Mehta, etc). You'll find out that 6 bucks for a disc can be beaten easily if you look around.  For example, this set is an excellent bargain:

Tchaikovsky, Symphonies 5 & 6. Dvorak, Symphony #9. (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/ Rodzinski. Digitally remastered at 96kHz/24-bit from the original analogue mastertapes)
Add to cart | Price: $ 7.98 | 2 in set. | Country: GERMANY | D/A code: Mono | Code: 471272-2 | BRO Code: 128585 | Label: WESTMINSTER

You can order excellent stuff from online stores or wait for clearance sales at record stores, for example.

[Iago]

"Its the best I've ever heard"

Does this translate to:

"Its the only one I have" or "Out of the two I own, this is the best ever of all time"

Not only this recording, but most of Ozawa's recordings need trashing.  The only half decent ones I have heard from the Maestro are his 1960's Tchaikovsky violin/piano #1 with Browning/Friedman, and the Sibelius with Mullova.  His Mahler set individually is the most boring 'waste of a burn' ever.

I agree. But are you sure that Browning/Friedman disc is with Ozawa?
I seem to remember it being with Leinsdorf (although I may be wrong). Yet if that's the case it would deserve trashing even more than an Ozawa led performance. Leinsdorf drove nails into the coffin lid of the Boston Symphony, and Ozawa hermetically sealed it. Together, they made the Boston Symphony Orchestra ready for burial.

[AnthonyAthletic]

I agree. But are you sure that Browning/Friedman disc is with Ozawa?
I seem to remember it being with Leinsdorf (although I may be wrong). Yet if that's the case it would deserve trashing even more than an Ozawa led performance. Leinsdorf drove nails into the coffin lid of the Boston Symphony, and Ozawa hermetically sealed it. Together, they made the Boston Symphony Orchestra ready for burial.

Yep, its 'vintage' RCA with the London SO 65/66.  And something of interest from Ozawa, albeit the soloists steal the show.  Browning in the piano concerto especially.

[BorisG]

I still don't hear anything stupendous coming out of Boston. What is the length of Levine's contract?

[RWetmore]

I just recently purchased the Szell/Cleveland recording on Sony's newly remastered "Great Performances" series.  I'm quite surprised how good it is....excellent performance overall.  Anyone else familiar with it?

[Lilas Pastia]

It's one of the best.

[david johnson]

ormandy & mravinsky are the ones i have.  fun for me.

dj

[MISHUGINA]

The recording with the Berlin Phillharmonic with Seiji Ozawa conducting. This is my favorite CD i own and it was only 6 bucks! It also has 1812 Overture on it which is okay.

This recording is the best i have ever heard.


Hope this leads someone in the right direction.

Someone should freaking conduct a lobotomy on you. 

No one can say they've listened to best tchaik 5 UNTIL at least they listened to:

- ANY Mravinsky/Leningrad PO recording
- Fricsay/BPO recording.

[Steve]

I would sugest Jansons on Chandos. Very balanced, nuanced edition for the price. (8.99)

[Brian]

I would sugest Jansons on Chandos. Very balanced, nuanced edition for the price. (8.99)

Agreed. I downloaded it for free via a special deal on ClassicsOnline, and it is really a magnificent performance. The fast tempo of the finale's introduction is a bit of a surprise, but the performance is exceptionally well done. A great presentation of the piece. My current favorite alongside Matacic/Czech Philharmonic.

[Iago]

Pierre Monteux conducting the Boston Symphony on RCA.

Tschaikovsky with no sweat or hysteria. Only beauty and solid musicianship.
This goes for all of the last three symphonies. The "Pathetique" is now available on SACD. Simply CANNOT be bettered.

[hautbois]

Pierre Monteux conducting the Boston Symphony on RCA.

Tschaikovsky with no sweat or hysteria. Only beauty and solid musicianship.
This goes for all of the last three symphonies. The "Pathetique" is now available on SACD. Simply CANNOT be bettered.

Monteux is THE MAN! Always something to say, and always effective, be it not written in the score.  (He never alters any notes or instrumention, but he messes with tempi and and dynamics a lot!)

Howard