This particular “Panorama” lays out as follows: super Nutcracker Suite from Rostropovich and the Berliners; amazing “Pathetique” Symphony from Bernstein, one of the great recordings of anything, ever, particularly noteworthy for its bruising, colossal third movement and heart-rending, painfully drawn out finale; good but a bit stodgy Romeo and Juliet (DG should have chosen the swifter, more exciting Bernstein/Israel Phil. recording); and finally a strange Fifth Symphony, particularly unsteady as to tempo in the problematic finale. Most collectors will either already own or have heard these performances, and first-timers might want to pick this up for the Sixth Symphony and Nutcracker (also available on a fantastic DG “Originals” reissue with the two other ballet suites: Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty). An uneven compilation, then, half fabulous, half so-so.
