Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: 1. Allegro non troppo - Allegro con spirito
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: 2. Andante semplice - Prestissimo - Tempo 1
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: 3. Allegro con fuoco

Disc 2:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44: 1. Allegro brillante
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44: 2. Andante non troppo
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44: 3. Allegro con fuoco
4. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, Op. post. 75

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108866 in Music
• Released on: 1998-05-05
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Customer Reviews

WOW!
This is absolutely one of the best purchases I've ever made. Not only do you get Tchaikovsky's works with piano and orchestra--including of course the much neglected second concerto and the mysterious third--digitally recorded, but you get it at an amazing price; if this were under the DG label it would probably cost three times as much!
The interpretations of this piece are played just as a normal person would like them--straightforward and musically, with none of the odd tempo changes and such that the non-English speaker below so vehemently states. The music gives you all you could ask for--an addictive performance that's never stale. Pletnev plays in all the appropriate ways; dazzlingly on the sparking runs, majestic on the rich two-hand chords, expressively during lyrical moments--he plays in such a manner that it's impossible to question both Pletnev and Fedoseyev's interpretation of these masterpieces.
The sound on this CD is simply amazing--I was slightly nervous when opening the case for the first time; two DDD CDs from a less popular label proudly displaying a pianist and conductor I'd never heard of, all for an amazing price--but I wasn't disappointed at all. The sound is crystal clear and every note can be heard without straining, with enough echo to sound full but enough ambience to prevent blurring of the orchestra.
The only complaint I have is that the CD isn't recorded as loudly as I would've liked--I prefer the opening four notes of the first concerto to blow me out of my seat, but this CD is just below that point. Of course the music is still wonderful and audible; those of us who've gone deaf from sitting near trumpets in an ensemble will just have to turn up the volume a tad :)

Love it!
This is a great bargain for a Tchaikovsky fan or would-be fan looking to get the piano concertos. Pletnev is an incredible pianist. Sure, there are others who do parts of these concertos better, but then there are parts that he does better than all the rest, too. Don't limit yourself to one recording of the first piano concerto, but this one makes a fine start.

The second is much harder to find, so I'm really happy they've made it accessible in this set, and for such a great price. Again it's very well executed. And for those who haven't heard it yet, you've got a treat coming! You may or may not like it as well as the first (I do), but in any case rest assured that it is as full of beautiful Tchaikovsky melodies.

The third is uncompleted -- quite nice, but I don't listen to it much, and so can't comment here.

What really makes this a special set, though, is the inclusion of the Concert Fantasy. I had never heard it before, and for awhile ignored it, assuming it was just there as filler. It's not: it's a stunningly beautiful piece that you should be sure to listen to. I hadn't even heard OF it before I got this set, and whether that was my fault or that of the Powers that Be, I thank the producers for introducing it to me here. It will remain one of my favorites.

Stephen

Stunning
Compared to piano concerto cycles by other composers (Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninov), the complete Tchaikovsky cycle has long been neglected. There is a reason for this. The enormous popularity of the first piano concerto has for many years overshadowed the other works. Yet, as these CDs demonstrate, popularity isn't often the last word to a work's true qualities. The Tchaikovsky piano concertos, played here by the great Russian pianist Mikhail Pletnev, is filled with much fire and lyricism. The CDs also contain Concert Fantasy for piano and orchestra, also a worthy piece. Of all the complete recordings of these concertos, this set is so far the least expensive. Fortunately, in the classical recording industry, price doesn't always suggest quality. Pletnev's performances are charged, the Philharmonia's playing is great, and the recorded sound is clear and distinct. For such a low price, these CDs are not to be overlooked.