Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor Op. 36–Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra cond. by Claudio Abbado/DG The Original Source vinyl reissue
I’ve owned the unique of this Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 since its launch by Deutsche Grammophon in 1976.
It was engineered by Günter Hermanns and produced by Rainier Brock. Abbado’s profession was in full bloom in 1976 with a really shut relationship with the Philharmoniker releasing some superb records, not least this fabulous efficiency of the Tchaikovsky symphony. So good, that it virtually knocks the legendary Mravinsky/Leningrad/DG recording off the highest of the pile! Almost. And not forgetting the putting cowl; a portray by Kandinsky (Russian Beauty in a Landscape—1905).

As the efficiency is so cogent and performed so properly, and a simple best choice on authentic vinyl, CD or streaming, the large query is how Emil Berliner did with the recut. Especially as the brand new DG OS document got here in at CAD 110 on Amazon! This reissue is already offered out (2800 copies pressed). I’m certain it’ll be reprinted, hopefully at a decrease value the second time round.
The remastering, simply as all of the others by Rainier Maillard, is superb. If you’ve got the unique however solely need one of the best urgent in your curated assortment, this new DG The Original Source is a straightforward purchase suggestion.
From the opening horn fanfare, Maillard and Meyer handle the considerably reverberant setting of an empty Wiener Musikverein, house to the orchestra since 1870. Later within the motion’s growth part, the woodwind solos are imaged completely, the limpid solos hanging fantastically in midair. All the whereas, having fun with Abbado’s very good interpretation—he builds and builds to large climaxes. And when the fanfares return, now on trumpets, the sound is thrilling. And managed. Always necessary in Tchaikovsky, the timpani additionally sounds particularly actual.

Musikverein, Wien.
This isn’t any X-ray recording, however the cleanup permits way more scrutiny, so, sure, I heard just a few string ensemble slips and a really barely out-of-tune trombone. Both of those very uncommon Philharmoniker minor errors went unheard on the unique vinyl urgent.
Another discovery was the fascinating timbre of the Vienna Phil’s oboe of alternative from Austrian producer Püchner. It has a really particular tone favoured by the Viennese and could be very clear on the brand new DG. The authentic gave no trace of the oboe’s nasal timbre.
Another nice inform on any recording of Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 is the company pizzicato on the opening of the Scherzo. It geese, dives and weaves en masse, at pace, in numerous dynamics. Only the perfect string sections get the accuracy and the tonal centre of the percussive pizzicato plucking motion (each heard completely on this urgent). And most necessary, like right here, the flesh on the string, that, with lesser gamers, could make the part sound like a hoard of ukeleles.

Claudio Abbado. Photo credit score: NPR.
And the madcap, hurly-burly finale opens on full afterburner and doesn’t let up ‘until the ultimate bars. It’s at all times been a wild experience, now heard refreshed due to the nice work by the crackerjack duo on the Emil Berliner Studios.
For comparability vinyl, the midprice Decca/Szell/LSO is at all times enjoyable, and for prime sonics, the Analogue Productions reissue of the RCA Victor authentic with Monteux and the Boston Symphony Orchestra is splendid. However, each performances fall slightly in need of the magnificent Abbado and his Wiener Philharmoniker. As for Mravinsky, for those who can put up with the Wembley Town Hall/DG CD sound, he’s your man. I’m listening to ESOTERIC could do a remaster vinyl urgent of the Mravinsky 4th. Now, that will be one thing.

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February 5, 2024 at 09:36PM
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