Repertoire: The Best and Worst Tchaikovsky Fifth Symphonies 

I am so pleased you posted this much needed evaluation of the Tchaikovsky 5th best recordings and am glad to already own four of these recordings. I first became acquainted with the 5th by listening to Klemperer’s on vinyl packaged with numbers 4 & 6. I will shortly revisit these performances as a few days ago I ordered this set on CD. It has been almost fifty years since I have heard this performance and it will be like meeting an old friend. I am delighted you have included it!

I'm still eagerly anticipating the Brahms 4 talk.

A really great selection. I'm especially happy with the nods to Silvestri and Matačić, two great conductors who have faded from communal awareness these days. Thanks for putting this together in your usual entertaining and informative way.

Hi Dave, i´m very happy that you do this video and I am especially glad that you mentioned the recording of the 5th symphony with Lovro von Matačić, who is one of my favorite conductors. I sometimes wondered why you didn't mention him at all in your repertoire videos, because he left behind quite excellent interpretations (Bruckner 7 with Czech Phil., Scheherezade with Philharmonia Orch. for exemple). Unfortunately, he was not a big fan of studio recordings and did not leave many of them behind. By the way, this was one of Matačić's favorite works and there are at least 2 live recordings (with Staatskapelle Berlin and NHK Symphony Orchestra) and one studio production with Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra (originally released on Yugoton). The recording with Czech Phil. is the best of all.

The lone "bravo!!!" in the WRONG place! Lol! Just love it! We really need a compilation recording of you singing Dave! It would be hilarious!

thank you very much for putting this together Dave. I have my own personal favourites but I’m grateful you have opened my eyes to the portamenti in the Ormandy recording. Gosh it made the hairs on my back stand like never before! Interesting to contrast it with Markevitch’s too because both recordings are on opposite ends of the tempi spectrum but one is no less expressive than the other somehow. cheers from singapore, dave.

I wish Szell had left out that cymbal crash in the finale. I've collected an awful lot of Tchaikovsky 5ths and the one I keep going back to is Andre Previn and the RPO on Telarc. Thrillingly played and recorded.

Lovro von Matacic was my very first Tchaikovsky 5th. I bought it as a teen in, of all places, a supermarket. I still have the original vinyl. And, still one of the best.

Yes, Finally! I must say, I've been one of those people demanding a Tchaik 5 talk. But it's easily one of my favorite symphonies. I can't explain why, it just makes me feel totally at home. Everytime I hear the opening clarinets, it's like I'm being wrapped in a comfy musical blanket. And those tunes are just irresistible. I already know most of the discography but I never heard of that Matacic recording. I'm gonna give it a listen immediately, thanks Dave! And about Karajan, my favorite one is probably the 1971 one on EMI. The sound is a bit rough, but gee, Karajan milks it in this performance. The second statement of the second theme from the second movement (lots of seconds, right?) is just glorious. The way the violins project that amazing melody, it glows, it soars, it sweats, in short it's absolutely orgasmic. So thank you again for this great talk. Now I'm waiting for the Francesca da Rimini extravaganza!

Love these best/worst series videos!❤

I have the Muti, Haitink and Mravinsky but when looking for a single performance after doing a lot of comparative listening I went for the Previn and Royal Phil on Telarc. It's a beautiful performance. Previn believes in this music and the sound is glorious. It's a fine and powerful performance, clear and sweet when it has to be and dramatic when it has to be.

This was wonderful, Dave, thank you! A suggestion for future series: "10 works you have to hear by......" With many famous composers, it's easy to think of 10 works everyone knows. But with composers that are less known and who are prolific, it's hard to know where to start. What are 10 or even 5 must-hear works if you don't know Martinu or Milhaud or Mompou or Medtner? Ok, I'll stop. I'm enjoying the alliteration. Another example is Liszt. Most would know some tone poems, the b min sonata, a hungarian rhapsody or 3, and the piano concertos but where to from there? He was so prolific. Which transcriptions are outstanding? With prolific composers, it's easy to try listening to lesser works at random and give up because it doesn't grab you. In the streaming age it's even harder, especially with a short attention span. Well, I'm sure you get the idea. Thanks for considering!

SO glad you mentioned the Silvestri, my personal favorite.

Monteux/BSO did some lovely Tchaik. Joseph Silverstein once asked then concertmaster Richard Burgin how it was that the Boston Symphony played such tight, no-BS Tchaikovsky symphonies. They'd just recorded them under Monteux and Burgin replied, "Well, you must understand. For Pierre, this IS contemporary music."

The Ormandy Columbia & RCA performances are very good but I think he outdid those for his last recording of the piece for Delos, very well recorded and a magnificent performance.

I bought the Antal Dorati mono box recently and was surprised at how good his performance of the symphony is in that box. I really enjoyed it and the sound is remarkably good too.

Thank you for your selection, Dave! (BTW I'm a huge fan of Stokowski recording). I think that a very underrated Fifth is Ozawa/Boston (DGG)... What do you think about it?

Love your series, what do you think about the new recording off Petrenko and the Berlin Phil with Tchaikovsky 5?

You didn't mention celibidache and the MPO as one of the sucky ones. I believe he took 61 minutes to get through it. But it seems like we're spoilt for choice for this work. Great video. Thanks David..

Thnk you for lauding Manfred Honeck and Lovro von Matecic! I met Tchaikovsky's ""Hamlet" and, above all, "The Storm" (op. 76, compossed in 1864, when Tchaikovsky was still studying at the St. Petersburg Conservatory) ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE COMPOSITIONS!

I personally also love Temirkanov's RCA St. Petersburg recording and Sinopoli's DG recording with the Philarmonia. Temirkanov for the extra degree of soulfulness he seem to imbue in the work, while Sinopoli, as always when inspired, for finding new layers to the work without ever sounding academic or sacrificing the excitement. One can only dream of him conducting Iolanta or Pique Dame!

The Ashkenazi/Philharmonia Tchaikovsky 5 was the cassette that stayed in my car all the time. It was the soundtrack to my long drives between South Carolina & Miami. A great companion 👍

I remember that you previously recommended Yuri Temirkanov and the RPO. Having listened to it as a result, it seems to me that he really gets inside the music. It's a fantastic performance!

I first heard the 5th conducted by Ray Conniff... grateful to have never heard that version again.

Finally I’ve been waiting for this video. Love Haitink and Markevitch recordings of this work.

Thank you, Dave! As always: entertaining and eyes… EARS opening! However, my favorite recording comes from Gatti and the RPO. Glorious playing and sound. Take care, Harry

So glad to see Szell at the top of this list, it was probably the first recording of the Fifth that I bought almost 50 years ago and that I still thoroughly enjoy today. Every time I hear it one word comes to mind--perfection!

Love your show. Your love and knowledge for music are amazing, and because of that knowledge, I have a curious question. On the Old Time Radio Show "The Shadow" Episode: Night Without End air date 10/16/1938, who wrote the music for that specific episode? Not the theme that begins the show, but you can Google the episode and listen. I think you will love it, as well. Many thanks 😊

That was fascinating - thanks again.

It was the first classical CD I had as a birthday gift when I was 17 in the 80s. And this symphony is still one in my favourites.

Great video, I miss these best and worst videos! Nice to see Silvestri and Von Matacic get a mention, two excellent recordings. Andrew Litton with Bournemouth was also a good one if I remember correctly as was his cycle in terms of more modern cycles. I didn't know Wand did a Tchai5 so I just listened to the finale, brilliant sound and intensity just wish the speeding up at the end was less obvious (Silvestri is one of the few that gets this right imho as he takes the whole coda at lightning speed so doesn't need to speed up). I also remember enjoying Previn's with the RPO on telarc.

Thank you for this nice selection. I would like to add a beautiful version (I didn't find it in the various comments) Ferenc Fricsay with the Berlin PO in 1949 (excellent mono) DG. What do you think about it ?

As a newcomer to the world of classical music, hungry to discover and learn as much as possible, I love that I can use the following search template in YT and your videos will be first in the results: ‘%composer-name %symphony-number “best”’ :)

Two of my favorites are from Boston: Monteaux and Ozawa. The Monteaux was the first recording I heard of it, and I love it still, as it is swift , transparent, and beautifully played and recorded. I like the Ozawa for the reason you like Haitink and Karajan. The BSO’s playing is absolutely gorgeous, and I love to wallow in it.

Thanks for this🙏 your first was Stokowski; mine was George’s Prêtre on Angel. Fairly recent at the time. I was a kid, and the music blew me away. I have no idea after so many years how good the performance may have been, but I notice you have no French conductors on your list🙌🙌

I hadn't listened to this symphony in a while (I have to be in the mood for it), but Dave's review of the Honeck recording got me interested in it again. I bought that recording, and it is full of the passion and histrionics that work well for this symphony. I'll have to compare it to some of the others I have accumulated over the years. I have a couple old ones (Mengelberg/Concertgebouw 1928 and Stokowski/Philadelphia 1934 and the second movement from 1923) that are primarily historical curiosities due to obsolete sound quality, but Stokowski always has something interesting up his sleeve. An old, very obscure one that I have is Oslo Philharmonic/Odd Grüner-Hegge from the 1950s. It's been a while, but I remember that one being fun - I'll have to give it a listen and see how it stacks up to Honeck. Another fun one is Abravanel and the Utah Symphony. They are always rough around the edges, but they always seem to be having a good time. Rough around the edges works for this symphony.

Re Szell: There are actually two live Tchaikovsky 6's from his last years (1968 from Severance Hall, 1969 from Blossom). Really fine performance, and too bad he never recorded it commercially.

There is also an RCA recording with Seiji Ozawa and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra that is very good as well, from 1969.

Back when I was getting interested in classical, the go-to historical recording everyone gushed about was the Guido Cantelli. It's not long since I last listened to it and I still love it now. Matačić and Silvestri are always fun, too. Who do I listen to so little modern Tchaikovsky? Must find that Honeck - sounds exciting.

Trombonists owe a great deal to Gunter Wand. As with his Beethoven 5th, he brings great balance to the Tchaikovsky which lets the trombones have their moment. I really enjoyed this video Dave and have spent a very happy late afternoon, here in Aberdeenshire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧, listening to the Wand which I'd never heard before and thoroughly enjoyed.

Great choices and the reasons for including them. Also the accompanying vocal recital (baritone?).

I really think Stokowski's elision of that pause in the finale is a great improvement. Maybe if Pyotr Ilyich had heard it he would have exclaimed, Of course! and rewritten it. I am very fond of Monteux's sensible, lucid clarity yet not at all impassive interpretation with the Boston Symphony on RCA. For me, the bete noire in this symphony isn't the finale but the sheer banality of that oscillating woodwind figure in the first mvt. One of the things I loved about the Klemperer version is he magically all but banishes the triviality of it (which Szell does not do.)

Sure, there are some omissions on your list I like to mention. Monteux with the LSO (on Vanguard IIRC). His RCA recording has been mentioned by others, but the LSO recording not so I believe. Then: Paavo Järvi on alpha. In your review on ClassicsToday you wrote "Paavo Järvi Thrills in Tchaik 5" (title of the review) and "the performance of the Fifth Symphony is spectacular". So I expected this in this video. BTW the other Tchaikovsky symphonies recorded by Paavo Järvi have never been reviewed on the website. That is strange. Is there a review to expect? (sorry if this appears twice - the first try seemed to be refused of canceled)

I would be very interested in your opinion about a recording that the Penguin guide absolutely raved about. It was an EMI Eminence recording with the LPO/ Sian Edwards. It was coupled with Tatiana's Letters scene from Eugene Onegin which I absolutely adored.

Just heard Wands performance (ahem on you tube!!) what a great performance. You wouldn't think that he'd get Tchaikovsky's music, but he did. I thought it was going to be slow and ponderous. To me it's a good example of viewing Russian music through a Germanic lense. And all the better for it. This Wand , the Bruckner guy ?!?😯. Excellent...

3:20 Donald Tovey - while loving it as music, as I do - was as a musicologist quite realistic about that finale: "I have already expressed my doubts as to whether Tchaikovsky intends his finale to give an impression of struggling vainly to achieve flight, but perhaps the listener will enjoy it best if he assumes that to be the composer's intention". But, as you say, it works.

I have owned a LP recording of Sawallisch conducting this symphony that used to be my favourite of them all, however, somehow it has gotten lost in the depths of my huge stock of LPs. I remember that I liked it for its lack of excess and the shapeliness of the performance. It's hard to track down this relatively early LP from Sawallisch, so I cannot recall what label it's on, but I do recall that it seemed surprising that he recorded the music for that particular company. Anyway, as Munch's and Markewitch's recording sank into my consciousness with the years passing, they overtook Sawallisch in my esteem, but Sawallisch's recording always seemed like something pretty special to me.

Any thoughts on Gergiev, Vienna Philharmonic live ? Finale is thrilling for me (and not just because audience erupts)

The Muti cycle appears to be reissued in 2017 on Brilliant Classics at a much lower price. Any drop-off in sonics?

David, you talk approvingly of Karajan's 76-79 Tchaikovsky cycle for DG. I am curious to know your opinion of his 1971 EMI recordings of 4, 5 and 6, which I don't recall you discussing in any of your Tchaik videos.

Hola David No tuviste en cuenta a Ashkenazy ? Creo que tú mismo lo mencionaste alguna vez como grabación de referencia.

A live performance led by Giuseppe Sinopoli just popped into my feed and it’s amazing. Anyone out there who can enlighten me about him? Sorry to come off as totally ignorant but I was blown away, especially the finale, and all I know about him is what I found on Wikipedia. Thanks in advance.

Rodzinski's 1954 mono recording for Westminster I think is pretty spectacular. He does cut a huge part in the fourth movement so this may really upset some listeners, but i find his conducting inspired. If you don't mind the mono sound, i think a lot of listeners will enjoy it.

I'm surprised that Dorat/LSO on Mercury doesn't get a mention. Part of a great cycle of the symphonies conducted by him and a fiery but classical account of the work that always has me cheering to the rafters. Terrific Mercury engineering too.

I got a bit confused when you talked about the Svetlanov recordings from the 1990s. I thought I owned one of them, but I don’t. I do have though the complete set of the Tchaikovsky symphonies with Svetlanov from 1967 (w/ USSR SO). In case you know them: are they similar to his later recordings from the 1990s or did he do them quite differently?

While I find much of his work to be inconsistent, Gergiev’s recording with Vienna is one of my favorites of this piece - and certainly my favorite Gergiev performance.

I agree with you regarding Ormandy's Columbia recording. Lush, sweeping and romantic.

I’ve got Mravinsky & the ‘77 Karajan which I like a lot. I got both very cheaply.

The PAUSE - I can't imagine the finale without it! Mengelberg added aa "a" to the B Major chord just before it to dissuade the audience from applauding before the symphony was actually over!

Bernstein's 1st recording with the NY Phil is glorious! There is also a video recording with the BSO from 1974 that's stunning!

I am interested to give some of these a go, as my ears are so accustomed to Rostropovich and the LPO from the 70s for 5 and 6, which I have on vinyl from some time ago. The recordings may not have the dynamic range of some of the more modern outings but I just love the dynamic intensity that he pulls from the orchestra and the apparent warmth I feel ensues. I have already listened to ten minutes or so of the Haitink and while it sounds amazing, I strangely felt no emotion whatsoever and the tempo appeared a tad fast for my liking. Thanks for the recommends, anyway. We will see if my ears can become accustomed to anything else or if I am just entrenched in the majesterial Mstislav

The version I grew up with was Abbado/LSO, which I still rate as excellent. Janssons/Oslo is my current favourite. About 20 years ago I bought a CD of Gergiev/ Vienna Phil which I found truly appalling, I was so hoping it would be included in your naughty corner!

There’s a crazy one w Rostropovich and LPO from mid ‘70 where Alan Cumberland is shredding the timpani part w scales and extra notes and what have you. One to bring out for a laugh!

Speaking of Kempe there is a live recording with LSO on BBC Legends which I find much tighter then the Berlin studio one.

This symphony was forever ruined for us here in Australia. Back in the 70s the big sweeping melody from the andante was used in an ad for Winfield cigarette’s featuring the actor Paul Hogan set to the words Aaanyyy hoooowsw haaave a Wiiiiinfiielld! Those responsible should still be in jail.

Thanks, Dave for this informative repertoire review. My first exposure to Tchaikovsky 5 was via the old Koussevitzky/BSO recording on RCA 78's. A warm bath, if ever there was one. You rightly criticized Bernstein/DG, but what about Bernstein/Sony? I recently purchased the Sony Bernstein Tchaikovsky cycle, in one of that label's bargain boxes, and was swept away by that conductor's passionate way with the composer. I had never previously heard those performances. Otherwise Ormandy/Sony has been my reference recording for many years.

Okay, I hate to be the guy that says "But what about THIS recording?" but for sheer edge of your seat excitement, I really, really like Serge Koussevitzky's recording with the Boston Symphony. It came as part of a 2CD set which I bought for his famous BBC Symphony recording of the Sibelius 7 which turned out to be a baffling disappointment (I don't understand why the critics drool over that recording.) but a few years later, I pulled it out and decided to give the Tchaik 5 a try, and WOW! I was spellbound. The 1944 mono sound isn't bad at all, but the sheer energy and excitement of the performance blew me away. Definitely worth a listen!

About younger conductors somehow not "getting" Tchaikovsky, I entirely agree with you, Dave. I find many younger conductors to have a tendency of paying attention to superfluous details and trying to tick the box the quantifiable theoretical stuffs, giving their performance an imo superficial "sophistication". But the raw quality of passion is just not there, it's like going to a movie that promises you a climax but you just wait and wait and it never comes.

Adding my favorites: Dmitriev/St. Petersburg SO, 1993, SONY; Mravinsky/Leningrad PO, 1973, Olympia; Monteux/Boston SO, 1958, BMG; Gergiev/Bavarian RSO, 1989 (unofficial live recording). Now about that Gergiev - maybe impossible to find, but one of the very best I have heard. Maybe one day it will be released officially.

Have you heard the Paul Kletzki 1946 recording w the Philharmonia probably done at Abbey Road studios? Issued in the USA on Columbis Entre LP. It is the one I grew up on and still consider it a great one. Never on cd, but you can find a good transfer on U Tube! Kletzki did a stereo recording with some German orchestra. Good sound, but not as good performance IMO. Guild Records never released the 1946 recording but did release K's Schubert 8th done in the same time period. Give it a listen!

I heard Bernstein conduct Tchaikovsky's Fifth at Tanglewood one year - rather, I heard the broadcast. It felt like he succumbed to the "slow" = "profound" disease. It was horrible. He made it sound like Bruckner. Got great reviews in the press for some reason I'll never understand. The year before he did a Sibelius Fifth that was incandescent - one of the best performances of that work I've ever heard in my life. What can I say? That's Lenny in a nutshell. I've always had a soft spot for Ozawa's Boston Symphony recording - that was the first recording of the piece I ever owned so I think some of it is nostalgia - but it's a fine performance.

Do you remember what a fuss was made over the Gergiev/Vienna Phil when it first came out? Well I rushed out and got it and didnt get a stirring of any part of my anatomy! Also glad you mentioned von Matacic. (I've always loved his Sheherezade). Barbirolli's 5th is also very heartfelt and exciting, with an intense, swift 1st movement.

I do like the earlier Bernstein Tchaikovsky 5 with NYPO.

Stokowski, Phase-4 was my first Tchaikovsky 5th, too!

Thanks for the talk, David. I like all these choices, but, for me, the greatest recording of all remains Solti/Chicago/Decca. It shocked me, because I didn't much care for his 4th or 6th. They were OK but not great. But his 5th, is just stunning, IMO.

No mention of Gergiev and Vienna Philharmonic? ?

Tchaikovsky is the favorite of indulgent type of conductor. Whatever they want to do, they can do it in Tchaikovsky. Very sad, very rousing, sweep, in your face volume. Audiences want the big emotions and thrill. Its the musical shiny object. I like it when I hear it, but rarely get a craving for it. Im going to listen to your recommendations. Maybe it will turn me around.

For me, Karajan's 1966 recording with the Berlin Philharmonic is the best. The slow movement is heartbreakingly, achingly beautiful when handled by Karajan. The 1971 might be better recorded but in my view the tempo was better with the former recording.

How do you like Svetlanov's version?

As I'm watching this I looked up the Matacic on Amazon - cheapest copy was $53.94 with shipping. SMH... I'll find it on RU-vid

As you said in another video, Szell would let down his one hair... All jokes aside, Szell was Amazing!

Musicologist’s attitude towards Tchaikovsky is proof that musicologists hate music.

What about the von Karajan set?

buy yesterday all 5 symh. Manfred Ouvertures ect. plyed by Muti great btw price new here in Belgium 20 Euro tu for video

we are session players all with top music school J or B attendance and degree.. and now in our 40s only do jingles and music for adverts radio and tv.. we are unknows but make good $$. Our question for you, in your opinion is a conductor necessary. If you look on Quora there are answers all over the spectrum. If a band /orchestra with the highest skilled players stays true to the written music with its dynamics is a conductor necessary.. In younger years playing in some great orchestras my opinion is a conductor is not necessary or always necessary. what do you say sir.?

A personal recommendation to go along with Jansons, Szell, and Monteux. Siegfried Kurz and the Dresden Staatskapelle on Eterna/Berlin Classics. Swift and elegantly played.

I'm always disappointed at the end if the trumpets and horns don"t pump it higher with the ffff dynamic. I have no doubt that what Tchaikovsky is asking for is for them to blast...not keep it polite.

possible best ever recording project? Vivaldi Concertos cond by Claudio Scimone on 16 CDs from Erato b/c it is consistently warm and idiomatic and affirms that Vivaldi did indeed compose a slew of concertos but, pace Stravinsky, they are not all the same.

Thanks for not recommending Pletnev.

For the 4th, 5th, and 6th....after Mravinsky, nothing else sounds right...

As the son of a horn player, there are two I have to single out for the second movement alone: One is the early Karajan with the Philharmonia with Dennis Brain, the sound is good enough and he just makes the most of that solo. The other is Solti/Chicago with Clevenger. Just beautiful playing in the second movement. I thought I was the only one who liked the Szell performance. And Matatic does some great Tchaikovsky elsewhere, there’s a fabulous live performance of Eugene Onegin from Vienna with DFD and Sena Jurinac and you hear how great he was in the opera pit.