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Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev

99.23.191.137
Posted on October 30, 2009 at 11:12:30
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 I’ll put my cards on the table early. I really enjoy this . Yeah, yeah, I know I hear an unsuppressed and prolonged yawn among classical music listeners who collectively sigh “not yet another recording of the bantam weight 1812 Overture”, all the while guardedly concealing the sober truth that many of us have a dozen or more of the Overture in our collections.

Well, this disc has a host of compelling positives that compels a most emphatic recommendation. Among them is the accompanying Tchaikovsky works, a couple which are rare (at least to me) and show just how brilliant and versatile a composer the man was, even when composing commissioned works in as little as two weeks. The performances are engaging for the entire 64 minutes. Hey, I might even go so far as to say that the “1812” performance is the most excellent “modern” (last 30 years?) recording I have heard live or recorded. The recording, too, is nothing less than first class, especially for large orchestral works.

The content of this disc had several surprises for me. When I first decided to make my purchase and saw references to “soloists and chorus” I assumed, wrongly, that the “1812 Overture” was a version that included voices. I had enjoyed the Telarc 1812 SACD largely for the choruses, especially the children’s choir, and that feature was a draw for me and probably would not have made this purchase if I had known that this “1812” is, in fact, the traditional orchestral only version. But by the end of my listen I was only mildly disappointed given the excellent performance and excellent sound quality (I listened in multi-channel).

The bass and “cannon” fire on this disc, while certainly quite effective does not exhibit the unmitigated and often destructive slam of the original Telarc LP and CD “1812” that caused its maledictory ban in many high end shops in the San Francisco Bay Area. But volatile and pronounced woofer excursion does occur in spades and with more than ample challenges for the mid range, too. I would characterize the slam factor as “safe and sane”. But make no mistake; this is an all-hands-on-deck recording that will make extreme demands on all resources.

And, importantly, this discs validates that performance *does* matter, even with the “1812 Overture” that has been marginalized as a work of little imagination, substance, influence, importance, etc. There is a tangible but yet intangible vernacular zest and exuberance that permeates the performance (and defines the ethos for the entire disc) that show that the musicians really appreciate, love and feel the music. Yet there is no sense that the music is in anyway over rehearsed, that it is sculpted or that it’s phoned in. We are talking real electricity and passion with these performances.

“Moscow” Cantata ensured that the mild disappointment of non-choral “1812” was short-lived by fulfilling my requisite wish for purchasing this disc in the first place, a substantive choral work. The “Moscow” Cantata turned out for me to be the crown jewel of this wonderful disc. The music, choruses, soloists, musicians, and sound quality come together in a glorious way. I found the mezzo-soprano, especially, in the two ariosos, and the baritone to be compelling. The soloists and the chorus lend weight in just the right balance to the music.

The compositions on this disc all of which are commissioned pieces for specific festive occasions, while high quality, are not intended to be “complex” or especially inventive. For sure they are intended to inspire. They are thoroughly enjoyable, passionate and stirring of intuitive senses, but not especially erudite. You don’t have to “figure it out” or “ponder the meaning of life on earth” to relate to these compositions. As somewhat of an exception, “Festival Overture on the Danish National Anthem” does add a layer of complexity that the other compositions may not exhibit. This appears to be a rarely recorded piece (unlike the “Festival Coronation March”, also on this disc), but happens to be a piece with which I am familiar. I own a Chandos LP performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Geoffrey Simon. At the time of the LP release (1981) the “Festival Overture on the Danish National Anthem” was billed as “a first recording”. While certainly not “complex” this composition, intersperses among the rousing themes a multi-layering of concurrent themes, insightful pauses, and a smattering of brief solos to showcase musicians, without all sacrificing its primary mission to inspire. If you are not familiar with this piece I think you are in for a pleasant surprise.

The other two compositions on this disc, “Festival Coronation March” and ubiquitous “Marche Slav” are equally well performed and well recorded and while certainly familiar to Tchaikovsky devotees still display a refreshing individuality as performed by the Marinsky Orchestra.

“Playability” is helped in that the disc is cut at a relatively high level so you really don’t need a loud volume to get the desired effect. (While certainly truly dynamic these compositions don’t have a lot of dynamic range. That is, there are not a lot of super quiet passages or dynamic contrasts so the listener need not worry about excessive dynamic range....except for, perhaps, the cannon fire).









Robert C. Lang
RE: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev, posted on October 30, 2009 at 22:34:51
jazz1
Audiophile

Posts: 959
Joined: October 30, 2000
"all the while guardedly concealing the sober truth that many of us have a dozen or more of the Overture in our collections"

Am I an exception?? I never had one 1812 in my collection, maybe it was thanks to Telarc?? I remember witnessing a few loudspeakers succumbing to the cannons, and always tought that it was a little gimmicky but maybe now is the time to give this work another chance.
So thanks for the tip.
BTW, I would be keen to get Tchaikovsky "Nutcracker" ballet on SACD,
any recomendation would be welcomed.

RE: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev, posted on October 31, 2009 at 07:56:11
csofan
Audiophile

Posts: 139
Location: chicago
Joined: August 5, 2003
 It appears that the MLP is no longer available but this recording with Kunzel will give you most of the music you want and with typical Telarc sonics. If you can find the MLP get it.

RE: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev, posted on October 31, 2009 at 02:32:16
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 For sure, that original Telarc was wicked. Yours truly blew a driver big time courtesy of Telarc's original 1812.

Again, my recommendation for the Gergiev is based much more on the "Moscow Cantata" and other works on the disc. For me the "1812" was a bonus. But you if are to become a first time buyer of a 1812 I know of no better SACD, especially given that it is part of a superb Tchaikovsky collection.



Robert C. Lang
I need another 1812!, posted on October 30, 2009 at 17:43:33
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 1101
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 Robert, great write up, as always. Look forward to hearing your system live sometime.

So my only 1812 is the Kunzel, and I totally agree with Chris that it is a stiff reading. Once upon a time, I had the Bernstein LP, but my very first stereo trashed all records, and then I had the Haitink, which I recall as a performance that was quite musical. That was an LP too, and appears to have been a victim of the Great Vinyl Purge of 1993. I like to hear the 1812 Overture every few years (no more - I used to always play it on New Year's Eve - don't know why, but it was fun.) So I would actually really appreciate a musical 1812 Overture in good sound.

RE: I need another 1812!, posted on October 31, 2009 at 01:10:15
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 Yes! The Haitink (if we are referring to the same one) is very nice and it is my favorite 1812. It was most likely the first 1812 I purchased and I (like many) have a strong preference for the one on which I was "imprinted". BUT by far my favorite works on this LP are "Francesca Da Rimini" and "Slavonic March" followed by "1812", although I undoubtedly purchased the LP because of "1812". I am reading the LP liner notes as I write this. It was released by in 1973 by Philips (although I probably bought it in the early 80's).

Kunzel, as far as I know recorded two "1812's" for Telarc. They were both groundbreakers for new formats: digital LP/CD in 1979 and 20 years later on SACD and SACD multi-channel and they were both sonic "tour de forces", but neither are known (as far as I know) for "authoritative" interpretation (which would probably be too much of a good thing for "1812"). Interpretation was not raison d'etre for the Kunzel discs I would not think.

Definitely let me know when you want to exchange audio visits. Being self-employed, working out of the home I'm fairly flexible.

By the way, my next SF Symphony performance is the first Friday in November, Rachmaninov Symphony #2.



Robert C. Lang
Amazing, posted on October 31, 2009 at 10:38:30
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 1101
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 Hi Robert, I love the Rach 2 (Fischer on Channel is a pretty good SACD) and have never heard it live, so I'll be there next Friday as well!

RE: Amazing, posted on November 1, 2009 at 14:52:36
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 Cool! Let's connect at intermisson.

I will "prep" with the Fischer SACD for Symphony #2. I know nothing about "The Bells" composition, although it looks like a substantial choral piece

Do you know anything about Semyon Bychkov, the conductor?

Robert C. Lang
Bychkov's SACD of the Bells is excellent., posted on November 1, 2009 at 16:01:52
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 1545
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004

He has a great recording of Elektra too. To me, he seems a lot better since he left Philips.

Timely Tip, posted on November 1, 2009 at 23:07:42
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 I attempted to purchase it from CD Universe for under $15 with chance I could have it before Friday's concert. But it's back ordered. Amazon.com says it would be 2-4 weeks before it would ship. That, too, means its not in stock. Oh well, may that will have it on sale concert night.

P.S.

If the Bay Bridge is still closed that will greatly complicate getting to the concert even though I usually take BART. It's impossible to find parking at the BART station.

Robert C. Lang
Also Bychkov's SACD of Lohengrin is excellent. (NT), posted on November 1, 2009 at 17:08:05
Kal Rubinson
Reviewer

Posts: 7158
Joined: June 5, 2002

RE: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev, posted on October 30, 2009 at 14:42:46
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 1545
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
 Robert - Great write-up. Thanks! Could you make a judgment as to how "holistic" the sound quality is on the new recording? For example, does it show evidence of lots o' microphones? (I believe I had read another review which suggested this.)

Also, I consider the Kunzel Telarc performance a pretty negligible, unexciting interpretation, despite the "big guns" on that recording. Are there any other 1812's you can compare this new recording to? (I'm just trying to get a sense of where this new Gergiev performance might fall in the continuum.) Thanks again.

RE: Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture - Gergiev, posted on October 31, 2009 at 02:15:30
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 With respect to sound quality, I would say it is "first class" but not "world class". It is very good but does not break into my top 20 - 30 discs that I would use for demonstration purposes. I doubt that a purist minimalist mic technique (which I prefer) was employed to record the Gergiev disc. But I have some recordings that also eschew minimalist mic technique that are among my favorite demonstration discs.

I agree on your Kunzel assessment. See my comments to TRG.

My personal favorite "1812" is the Haitink on Philips LP. The Gergiev is the next best thing in my collection.

But I no longer purchase a disc solely for the 1812 Overture unless there is something singularly unique or interesting about the recording. In the case of the Gergiev I thought (wrongly) that it included choruses. If I had known that it was an orchestral only recording I would have never purchased it. It was serendipitous that I made that "mistake", because of the supporting cast of other compositions on the disc that I enjoy so much more than 1812.

Robert C. Lang
Different opinion on Audiophile Audition, posted on October 30, 2009 at 13:59:03
Botanico92007
Audiophile

Posts: 273
Location: San Diego
Joined: March 15, 2006
 I had read this review a few days ago. Some interesting repertoire, but I don't need another 1812, so I decided to pass. See the link below.

RE: Different opinion on Audiophile Audition, posted on October 30, 2009 at 14:38:16
Robert C. Lang
Audiophile

Posts: 2489
Joined: March 1, 2001
 Yes, I had seen the Audiophile Audion comments. I do agree that the cannon fire, while watt sucking, don't sound realistic. The only 1812 cannon fire that I thought sounded remotely realistic was from the Telarc LP/CD. Also, if one is looking for "deeper" meaning into the 1812 music one will probably have a completely different take than what I heard. I look at it as more fun and enjoyable. Also, I'm not sure if AA commented on the Moscow Cantata, which along with several other works elevated this disc to a "must have", in my opinion. The 1812 was my third or fourth favorite composition on the disc. So, I do agree with you. Who needs another 1812?

Robert C. Lang
This is quite remarkable, posted on October 30, 2009 at 11:33:14
Ralph NLD
Audiophile

Posts: 272
Joined: January 10, 2007
 The asylum's personalized-content-ad-generator was triggered spot-on by this Russian firework review of yours!
LOL! - I got that same ad! [nt], posted on October 30, 2009 at 14:36:45
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 1545
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004

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