Of Tchaikovsky’s six symphonies, no 3 has always seemed the Cinderella of the cycle. Less frequently played than the others and usually written off as a partial success at best. Personally speaking, it has always been my favourite of the first three symphonies, much as i love numbers 1 and 2. The work is in five movements rather than the usual four, so it resembles in many ways a suite rather then a symphony. I will state right away that I think this is the best performance on record I have ever heard. I realise that a great many illustrious orchestras and conductors have recorded this work over the years, but Samuel Friedman seems determined to treat the work as a symphony, and not a glorified suite. I’ve played the disc several times already, and the performance grows on me more and more. The conductor’s tempi are slower than most, but this seems to amplify the symphonic side of the work. The central slow movement is really beautiful, and the other movements have grace or power as required. The playing of the orchestra is not totally immaculate, but this seems irrelevant in the context. The Variations have a particularly rich-toned and expressive soloist. A pity he chose the standard published version, rather then Tchaikovsky’s original version, which has been taken up by many cellists. The recording is fairly close-up, but not excessively so. An absolute bargain and thoroughly recommended.

1. Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 Moderato assai [3000360]
2. Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 Allegro moderato e semplice [3000361]
3. Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 Andante [3000362]
4. Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 Scherzo [3000363]
5. Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 Finale [3000364]
6. Variations sur un thème Rococo Op. 33 Rococo Variations, for cello and orchestra [2999739]

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