This is another in
Pentatone’s re-issues of relatively
well known ex-Polygram recordings put
out in SACD format. The Tchaikovsky
items were originally issued on a full
price Philips disc, coupled more sensibly
with further Tchaikovsky items conducted
by Davis but with the Royal Opera House
Orchestra. The Sibelius items were partially
available coupled with Davis’s Boston
recordings of the Symphonies on two
Philips Twofers. A more complete issue
of Sibelius’s minor works is now available
on a marvelous bargain-priced Australian
Eloquence disc; well worth seeking out.
review
I find Pentatone’s
marketing logic pretty perverse as fans
of Tchaikovsky may not want the Sibelius
items and the same in reverse for Sibelius
fans. In addition these performances
of Tchaikovsky, whilst well liked as
performances, were not at all liked
from a recording perspective when they
were first issued on LP. Things looked
up somewhat when the CD was issued as
the recording then appeared much clearer.
Of course the performances were still
the same.
The current issue is
a backward step from the original CD
as the sound, particularly in the 1812,
is muddy and the cannons at the end
are boomy, sounding artificial compared
with the ordnance on the Philips release.
And who on earth was the person who
seems to believe that Tchaikovsky asked
for small arms fire in addition to the
specified cannons and bells. This really
will not do!
The recording dates
given are in error and the Tanglewood
Festival Chorus (who contributes to
the proceedings exceedingly well), are
not even mentioned in the recording
information. This is carelessness of
the first order. If Pentatone wishes
to charge full price for these issues,
they should be much more careful in
their presentation.
As to the performances,
Davis’s Sibelius recordings with the
Boston Symphony Orchestra are certainly
rated above the later re-makes with
the LSO on RCA even given the later
recording dates. Anyone who likes these
American recordings will be well pleased
with this disc. However if they opt
for the much cheaper Eloquence issue
they will be overjoyed also to have
En Saga and Tapiola, both
in superb sound and performances. I
doubt that the so-called benefit of
SACD in this case offers anything over
and above the Antipodean disc.
So, if you must have
this combination of items this is a
reasonable issue. Bear in mind though
the complete misconception at the end
of the 1812 together with a less
attractive sound than the earlier CD,
and the availability of the Sibelius
items on a competing bargain issue.
John Phillips
Tanglewood Festival Chorus (1812)
PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC5186 164 SACD Hybrid
[74:34]
