| I have so many complete sets of the Tchaikovsky Symphonies that, lately, I've been in the habit of buying whatever is LEFT out there, just because I haven't bought it yet. The competition is IMMENSE, as you can imagine, with an abundant supply of recordings of these popular orchestral works. When the opportunity came to purchase this recording (along with all the symphonies & piano concertos, plus a few overtures & rarities) for ONE PENNY, I thought I had nothing to lose. To my shock, then, I have to tell you -- having heard practically ALL other recordings available -- that to these ears Antoni Wit has met with ALL of the competition, and OUTDONE MOST of them with these magnificent recordings. Had I known what high-calibre performances these were, I would have picked them out first, before buying any of the others (Penguin Rosettes included). If there is a recording of Tchaikovsky's "The Storm" that I do not own, I would be surprised. In my opinion, then, I must say this is FAR AND AWAY the best performance the work has ever received. The 5th Symphony has many phenomenal recordings to choose from, unlike "The Storm," but this one is among the top. You cannot go wrong buying this disk. However, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND the entire Naxos set of the COMPLETE TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONIES and PIANO CONCERTOS by this conductor & orchestra (with pianist Bernd Glemser -- another name I am quite unfamiliar with but, trust me, his performances of the old blockbusters is top-of-the-line, with perhaps the best ever performances of the rarer works, "Andante & Finale" and the Concert Fantasy.) You won't be disappointed! |
