London Philharmonic Orchestra - Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (London Philharmonic Orchestra; Vladimir Jurowski) (LPO: LPO-0064) [Audio CD]

Throughout his life, Tchaikovsky was preoccupied with the idea of Fate, describing it as that fatal power which prevents one from attaining the goal of happiness. This dark force haunts both the Fourth and Fifth symphonies, which each juxtapose some of Tchaikovskys most beautiful and graceful melodies with music of intense power and dark despair. Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski continues his journey through the composers six symphonies, leading the London Philharmonic Orchestra in these live concert recordings. Since his appointment as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007, Vladimir Jurowski has led the Orchestra in some of the finest recordings on the LPO label, including 2011s popular and critically acclaimed Mahler Symphony No. 2. Review Concurrently with Andris Nelsons and the CBSO, and Valery Gergiev and the LSO, Vladimir Jurowski and his orchestra are working their way through Tchaikovsky s symphonic oeuvre in concerts later released on disc. These dramatic accounts of the F minor and E minor symphonies both gloomily obsessed with fate, yet ending in hard-won triumphs were recorded (superbly) last year and demonstrate the complete musical empathy between the Russian-born conductor and his players in these works. From the dark, brooding opening bars of No 4 s andante sostenuto introduction, it is clear that Jurowski favours a deeply personal approach to music that grew out of the crisis of the homosexual composer s marriage to a woman he barely knew. The succeeding movements are an emotional rollercoaster ride, with Jurowski drawing huge sonorities from the LPO strings, and the woodwind solos poignantly phrased. His interpretation of No 5 is invigoratingly fresh, making the bombastic flourishes of the finale seem a hollow triumph. Both performances sound thoroughly run-in, yet without a hint of routine. Tchaikovsky s genius and his inner turbulence are revealed with devastating impact. --SundayTimes,23/09/12 LPO acquires itself well, and climaxes possess all the fizz and firepower one could want. Performance ***(*) Recording **** --BBC Music Magazine, Dec'12 For considerably less than the cost of a concert ticket, at two discs for the price of one, Jurowski's Tchaikovsky can compete with the best. --IRR, Nov'12 The playing throughout is marked by a oneness with Jurowski's vision and a well-established empathy between the LPO players and their conductor. RECORDING OF THE MONTH GRAMOPHONE CHOICE --Gramophone, Christmas'12 One of the Top 10 Classical CDs of 2012 --Sunday Times