This is a nicely shaped, well proportioned, clearly argued but decidedly run-of-the-mill performance of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony. Charles Dutoit provides what is generally expected: drama and poignancy in the first movement, grace and rhythmic finesse in the second, stridency in the marching scherzo, and tenderness tinged with sadness in the adagio finale. Trouble is, there are several other recordings–such as Fricsay’s, Bernstein’s, Mravinsky’s, Muti’s, and Giulini’s (EMI)–that do all the above with much greater passion and conviction. That’s what you want to hear when you listen to the Pathétique. Notwithstanding the disciplined and generally fine playing by the Montreal Symphony, Dutoit’s rendition never really catches fire.
Dutoit is at an even greater distance from the 1812 Overture, which here sounds more like Mendelssohn than Tchaikovsky due to the conductor’s light and breezy approach in the fast sections. The usually ferocious development section comes off like a lost excerpt from Swan Lake, while the bland closing celebration raises the spirits not one whit (listen instead to the euphoria generated by Dorati or Bernstein). As usual from this source, Decca’s recording (despite the too-distant cannons) is very good. Nonetheless, this remains an 1812–and Pathétique–for no one.
