Paavo Järvi, Principal Conductor and Music Director of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich since October 2019, here launches a complete recording of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies, the first in both his rich discography and that of the Swiss orchestra: ‘When I think of the Fifth Symphony, I think of vulnerability and hope. It looks directly into our soul. It is perhaps the finest of his symphonies. The famous horn solo moves me and enriches me every time I hear it . . . Unlike the Sixth, the Fifth still holds out hope for life.’ The symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini op.32 completes this programme. This dark and violent ‘symphonic fantasy after Dante’, a drama of jealousy, was premiered in 1877, at the same time as Swan Lake.
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Reviews
“… Järvi follows Tchaikovsky’s [Symphony No. 5] dynamic and tempo markings faithfully, and his tempos are judicious throughout… this is a riveting performance [Francesca da Rimini], rhythmically precise, with sharp accents and good dynamic contrasts … this recording can be recommended.”
Richard A Kaplan – Fanfare – July/August 2021
***** Coup de cœur
Yannick Millon – Classica magazine (France) – February 2021
“… Live through the seventy-four minutes of this disc, and you’ll reach the last seconds gasping, without words, drained by the intensity of the narrative. Heaven only knows what the players must have felt. Elated yet floored. Wiped out yet triumphant. Järvi at his best.” *****
Artes Orga – ClassicalSource.com - November 2020
Performance **** Recording ****
Julian Haylock – BBC Music magazine – January 2021
“… A very fine Tchaikovsky 5 indeed, not to be missed, especially if the coupling appeals.
… The booklet suggests that these were live performances, which might account for the white-hot performance of Francesca da Rimini, as well as the gripping final pages of the symphony. There is not a sign of audience noise and no applause at the end. The recording is outstanding, full, rich and with impeccable balance.”
William Hedley – MusicWeb-International.com – 3 December 2020
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