Leningrad Masters: Tchaikovsky – Piano and Violin Concertos (FLAC)

Composer: Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Performer: Emil Gilels, Gidon Kremer
Orchestra: Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Eugeny Mravinsky, Dmitry Kitayenko
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Label: MasterTone
Size: 323 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

# Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23
Composed by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
with Emil Grigoryevich Gilels

# Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Composed by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
with Gidon Kremer
Conducted by Dmitri Kitajenko

01. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito
02. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: Andantino simplice – Prestissimo
03. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: Allegro con fuoco

04. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: Allegro moderato
05. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: Canzonetta, Andante
06. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35: Finale, Allegro vivacissimo

Legendary performances…

We are given extaordinary live performances of these two Tchaikovsky warhorses. The anonymous engineers provide first rate digital remastering, capturing all the authorative energy and vigor in these historical 1971 recordings. With an international career that began in 1945, Emil Gilels plays soloist in the piano concerto. He comes accross heavy-handed and powerful in the long first movement, but tones himself down on the remaining two. Gilels is directed by the iconic Mravinsky,
both showing great affinity and vision performing this great work. We get a near equal account in the violin concerto, with Gidon Kremer as soloist. All his virtuoisty and talent is displayed, though the big opening theme, in my opinion could have used a little more gusto. The overall playing is unexpectedly subtle, but still a satifying reading.
Kremer is directed by Dmitri Kitajenko who inherited the Moscow Philharmonic from Kiril Kondrashin and has had a long conducting and recording career. The Leningrad Philharmonic gives there all, with the exception of a few audience distractions. There are still many western accounts, that show individualism in there own right. I paid $5 bucks for this CD ten years ago. Now look at the prices!