This 1974 Pathetique, along with the contemporaneous Fourth and Second symphonies on Deutsche Grammophon, made Claudio Abbado’s early reputation as a fine Tchaikovsky conductor. Abbado demonstrates his flair for the composer in a reading that is potent, genuine and deeply felt. Phrases unfold naturally and climaxes are well timed. The Vienna Philharmonic players sound much more at home with Tchaikovsky’s style than they did for Rafael Kubelik (in his earlier EMI recording), and they exploit their special qualities to maximum advantage–listen to how those Vienna strings make the ‘big tune’ in the first movement soar! The performance suffers only in the finale, where it is let down by recorded sound (beautifully bright and full everywhere else) that is dynamically constricted. Abbado’s 1971 Romeo and Juliet is, alas, not nearly so inspired. This is pretty much a straightforward run-through until the climactic love scene where the Boston Symphony struts their stuff. The sound, though slightly reverberant, is listenable. Recommended for the Pathetique.
