Comp.symphonies, Etc: Rostropovich / Lpo

There can be few composers who wrote such overtly romantic music with such memorable melodies, brilliantly orchestrated, mixed with spontaneous emotion as Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky. In just one month - October 1976 Rostropovich was able to commit his readings of all the Symphonies (the six numbered and Manfred) to record.

Mstislav Rostropovich, who died in April 2007 a month after his 80th birthday, was one of the greatest musicians ever to have lived. He was a supreme cellist and a fine pianist and, although his conducting style was described as extrovert, he was able to stimulate distinctive and great performances from his players and singers through his innate musicality and natural charm as well as by his enthusiasm and knowledge of the work. This set is truly a fine memorial to a remarkable man and musician.

Tchaikovsky
Symphony No.1 in G minor op.13 'Winter Daydreams'
Francesca da Rimini op.32
Symphony No.2 in C minor in C minor op.17 'Little Russian'
Symphony No.3 in D op.29 'Polish'
Romeo and Juliet
Symphony No.4 in F minor op.36
Manfred Symphony op.58
Symphony No.6 in B minor op.74 'Pathetique'
Symphony No.5 in E minor op.64

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mstislav Rostropovich
Stereo Recording: 1976, 1977