MusicWeb International One of the most grown-up review sites around 2024
60,000 reviews
... and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here Acte Prealable Polish CDs
 

Presto Music CD retailer
 
Founder: Len Mullenger                                    Editor in Chief:John Quinn             


CD REVIEW

Some items
to consider

new MWI
Current reviews

old MWI
pre-2023 reviews

paid for
advertisements

Acte Prealable Polish recordings

Forgotten Recordings
Forgotten Recordings
All Forgotten Records Reviews

TROUBADISC
Troubadisc Weinberg- TROCD01450

All Troubadisc reviews


FOGHORN Classics

Alexandra-Quartet
Brahms String Quartets

All Foghorn Reviews


All HDTT reviews


Songs to Harp from
the Old and New World


all Nimbus reviews



all tudor reviews


Follow us on Twitter


Editorial Board
MusicWeb International
Founding Editor
   
Rob Barnett
Editor in Chief
John Quinn
Contributing Editor
Ralph Moore
Webmaster
   David Barker
Postmaster
Jonathan Woolf
MusicWeb Founder
   Len Mullenger

alternatively
CD: AmazonUK AmazonUS
Download: Classicsonline


Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony No. 4 in F minor Op. 36 (1878) [43:08]1
Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48 (1880) [30:32] 2
Elegy in memory of I.V. Samarin (1884) [5:50] 3
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Jarvi
rec. Gothenburg Concert Hall, Sweden, 1May 2003, 3August 2004, 2March 2005. DDD
BIS BISSACD1458 [80:23]
Experience Classicsonline


This is the fifth instalment of Neeme Järvi’s cycle of Tchaikovsky symphonies, the first on SACD. Here Tchaikovsky’s ‘fate motif’ which opens his Fourth Symphony is sonorous and steely. The following first theme (tr. 1 1:25), ‘In movimento di Valse’, Järvi begins waltz-like but as it progresses, observing the added accents, emphasises its angularity of line. A consistent virtue of Järvi’s approach is his symphonic clarity and his clear exposition of thematic development and structure. The down-side of this is that some elements, like the interchange between woodwind and strings from 3:54, appear more formal than exciting.

However, Järvi’s treatment of the second theme (5:14) and its aftermath is finely contrasted. Meant to be escapist relief, its instrumental solos also have piquancy and character while the cellos’ theme (5:39) is wistfully comforting. The idyllic tune comes in the first and second violins’ sunny duet (6:29), worked up into a finely upstanding but still slightly stiff dance before a scary return of the fate motif. In the development I like Järvi’s clearly revealing the conflict of the simultaneous juxtaposition of rising and falling motifs on woodwind and strings, especially from 9:50. He’s also convincing in the gradual crescendo of determined will from 10:39. Even so, the first theme climax at 12:27 is just a fraction held back to ensure clarity of articulation and this happens with some loss of spontaneity. By way of compensation his treatment of the flutes and clarinets’ hymn-like thematic transformation from 16:26 is memorable. The closing climax is suitably searing if a touch formal.

I compared the 2002 live SACD recording by the Wiener Philharmoniker and Valery Gergiev (Philips 475 6196). Here are the comparative timings:

Timings            I                II            III           IV          Total
Järvi                18:27        9:44        5:37        9:05        43:08
Gergiev           18:56        9:34        5:33        8:28        42:26

Gergiev’s approach is more theatrical. His first theme is more graphically a tottering sort of waltz from the outset. His interchange between strings and wind is more tense in the manner of passionate ballet. His treatment of the second theme is more veiled and sophisticated, the cellos’ theme more dreamy, arguably closer to Tchaikovsky’s escapism. However I preferred Järvi’s approach here. Gergiev’s lighter, truly dancing climax to this section is undeniably more effective, his climax of the first theme more hair-raising and his final climax a smidgen more poised.

The oboe solo which begins the slow movement is marked ‘simple but graceful’ and the former element is more evident in Järvi’s account, a free-flowing recollection in clean tone. This makes the cellos’ repeat of the theme, just marked ‘graceful’, warmer. Gergiev is more graceful at the outset and his cellos are more dolefully emotive but I prefer Järvi’s artlessness. Järvi’s central section (tr. 2 4:06) is more clearly faster, as marked, thus headier, indeed finely burnished. It is the most uninhibitedly elated expression of his account so far. The opening theme returns in thoughtful fashion. Järvi reveals it in fine continuity without appreciable shaping and is equally sensitive to its closing fragmentation among the instruments. The effect of this is curiously nostalgic and moving. Suddenly there seems to be space to contemplate. Again I prefer this approach to Gergiev’s greater shaping and melancholy. I also prefer the more airy BIS recording of the Gothenburg Concert Hall to the brighter, drier Grosser Saal in Vienna’s Musikverein for Philips.

Järvi presents the scherzo’s strings’ pizzicato in feathery articulation but plush tone, at once intriguingly insubstantial yet quivering with life. Gergiev is more fastidious about dynamic contrasts but the result seems more virtuoso display than the intangible figures floating past which Tchaikovsky wished to convey. Järvi’s gentler approach gets closer. In the central section Järvi’s drunken peasant sings amiably on the woodwind, especially the chirrupy flute and later piccolo before a jolly march-past by the brass band. Gergiev’s central section is more assertive and zany, striking enough but without Järvi’s humour, as in the balletic late interchange of strings and wind.

In the finale triangle, cymbals and, to particularly explosive effect in Järvi’s recording, bass drum enter. Let the devil-may-care festivities begin. Here Järvi largely throws off the shackles of grandeur and formality and is more stimulatingly boisterous, scurrying strings egged on by woodwind, full of pace and fizz. At the heart of it all is the folksong ‘In the field there stood a birch tree’ first heard immediately after the opening flourish. In the modulations of its many repetitions Järvi conveys Tchaikovsky’s keen interest in human activity and the variety of mood it evokes. This focus is enough to render the return of the fate motif, however formidable, of only momentary effect and the closing jubilation is splendidly relished. Gergiev’s finale is faster, thereby a model of stunning virtuoso display, but the colour and emotion Järvi gets from the folksong even early on isn’t so apparent in Gergiev until the development section. Here Järvi’s increased shading is also appreciable.

Next from Järvi on this SACD is the Serenade for Strings. His introduction to the opening Sonatina is formal and stately, yet he sensitively conveys the inherent emotion without being too heart-on-sleeve. He also catches well the ambivalence of the first theme of the Allegro moderato (tr. 5 1:57), as conveyed in that very marking, stepping towards and then away from ardour. There’s an underlying dark grain, partly a product of the warm, glowing acoustic of the Gothenburg Concert Hall spaciously captured in the surround sound. The upper strings semi-quaver flurries contain angst. The second theme (3:32), headed by pizzicato strings, is much lighter in mood and frothier, but it’s then searchingly penetrated by recollections of the opening of the first theme. I compared the 1990 recording by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra/Philippe Entremont (Naxos 8.550404). Here are the comparative timings:

Timings           Sonatina      Waltz      Elegy      Finale      Total
Järvi                9:51             3:56        9:10       7:13        30:32
Entremont       9:32             3:53        9:10       7:51        30:26

Slightly faster, Entremont is brighter, leaner and more athletic in the Sonatina. The first theme sweeps forward more optimistically as an ardent surge. The second theme is charming and delicate. The overall effect is of flamboyant neatness and clarity but Tchaikovsky’s own note at the beginning of the score states that the larger the orchestra the better his wishes will be met. With such a body, Järvi provides more emotive engagement while, and perhaps because, avoiding stressing the virtuoso aspects.

To the second movement Waltz Järvi brings a smiling lilt and relaxed manner which nevertheless allows for purposeful momentum, especially in the central section. He uses dynamic contrasts for subtle shading rather than bold effects. Entremont’s smaller body of strings makes for a livelier, lighter-hearted, jollier approach. Järvi is more refined and the counterpoint in the violas when the first theme returns (tr. 6 2:00), not easy to articulate clearly, is defter.

Järvi achieves a visionary quality, a sense of opening up a vista, in the rising scale phrases of the first pages of the third movement Elegy. Its central big theme is smoulderingly emotive yet also tender and offset by delicate counterpoint. It is given more potency by being shared by first violins, cellos and sometimes violas. The return of the opening is more rapt, like a reverent pilgrimage, after which Järvi suggests a more despairing phase before a beautifully becalmed final expanded rising scale motif. Entremont’s account has a smooth opening and clean line to the big theme but lacks, even in its glistening climax, Järvi’s tonal and therefore emotive density. Later Entremont shows a restless and forlorn quality but not Järvi’s desolation.

Järvi makes a sheeny opening to the finale based on a Russian folk theme before its friskier Allegro guise takes over the proceedings (tr. 8 1:21). He brings to the second theme (1:52) a pleasingly contrasted breadth and then clearly demonstrates the joining of the two themes before the first movement introduction returns and turns out to be a slower variant of the finale’s first theme. Entremont’s more expansive opening of the finale, his introduction taking 1:45 against Järvi’s 1:19, is more innocent. His Allegro has plenty of spirit, if not Järvi’s humour, but his second theme lacks Järvi’s characterful shape and Järvi builds the development section (from 2:56) with a greater sense of purpose.

To end Järvi’s SACD the Elegy in memory of I.V. Samarin, originally composed as a ‘Grateful Greeting’ for the actor’s fifty years on stage. This explains why it wears its sadness expansively with a fondness for theatrical gestures and poses, colourfully indulged by Järvi. All the same its recurring main theme is wistful and haunting.

In sum, well played, glowingly recorded and generous in playing time. This is an attractive SACD, albeit Gergiev is more electric in the climaxes of the symphony’s first movement.

Michael Greenhalgh

 

 

 


Advertising on
Musicweb


Donate and keep us afloat

 

New Releases

Naxos Classical
All Naxos reviews

Chandos recordings
All Chandos reviews

Hyperion recordings
All Hyperion reviews

Foghorn recordings
All Foghorn reviews

Troubadisc recordings
All Troubadisc reviews



all Bridge reviews


all cpo reviews

Divine Art recordings
Click to see New Releases
Get 10% off using code musicweb10
All Divine Art reviews


All Eloquence reviews

Lyrita recordings
All Lyrita Reviews

 

Wyastone New Releases
Obtain 10% discount

Subscribe to our free weekly review listing

 

 


EXPLORE MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

Making a Donation to MusicWeb

Writing CD reviews for MWI

About MWI
Who we are, where we have come from and how we do it.

Site Map

How to find a review

How to find articles on MusicWeb
Listed in date order

Review Indexes
   By Label
      Select a label and all reviews are listed in Catalogue order
   By Masterwork
            Links from composer names (eg Sibelius) are to resource pages with links to the review indexes for the individual works as well as other resources.

Themed Review pages

Jazz reviews

 

Discographies
   Composer
      Composer surveys
   National
      Unique to MusicWeb -
a comprehensive listing of all LP and CD recordings of given works
.
Prepared by Michael Herman

The Collector’s Guide to Gramophone Company Record Labels 1898 - 1925
Howard Friedman

Book Reviews

Complete Books
We have a number of out of print complete books on-line

Interviews
With Composers, Conductors, Singers, Instumentalists and others
Includes those on the Seen and Heard site

Nostalgia

Nostalgia CD reviews

Records Of The Year
Each reviewer is given the opportunity to select the best of the releases

Monthly Best Buys
Recordings of the Month and Bargains of the Month

Comment
Arthur Butterworth Writes

An occasional column

Phil Scowcroft's Garlands
British Light Music articles

Classical blogs
A listing of Classical Music Blogs external to MusicWeb International

Reviewers Logs
What they have been listening to for pleasure

Announcements

 

Community
Bulletin Board

Give your opinions or seek answers

Reviewers
Past and present

Helpers invited!

Resources
How Did I Miss That?

Currently suspended but there are a lot there with sound clips


Composer Resources

British Composers

British Light Music Composers

Other composers

Film Music (Archive)
Film Music on the Web (Closed in December 2006)

Programme Notes
For concert organizers

External sites
British Music Society
The BBC Proms
Orchestra Sites
Recording Companies & Retailers
Online Music
Agents & Marketing
Publishers
Other links
Newsgroups
Web News sites etc

PotPourri
A pot-pourri of articles

MW Listening Room
MW Office

Advice to Windows Vista users  
Questionnaire    
Site History  
What they say about us
What we say about us!
Where to get help on the Internet
CD orders By Special Request
Graphics archive
Currency Converter
Dictionary
Magazines
Newsfeed  
Web Ring
Translation Service

Rules for potential reviewers :-)
Do Not Go Here!
April Fools




Return to Review Index

Untitled Document


Reviews from previous months
Join the mailing list and receive a hyperlinked weekly update on the discs reviewed. details
We welcome feedback on our reviews. Please use the Bulletin Board
Please paste in the first line of your comments the URL of the review to which you refer.