Recommended recordings
Queen of Spades
Reviewer: David Nice
Broadcast: 8th October 2011
First Choice
Tchaikovsky Edition
TCHAIKOVSKY: Pique Dame
Andrei Ivanov and Pavel Lisitsian (baritones), Georgi Nelepp (tenor), Evgenia Verbitskaya, Naina-Elena Korneyeva and Veronika Borisenko (mezzo sopranos),
Evgenia Smolenskaya (soprano), Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and Chorus, Alexander Melik-Pashaev (conductor)
http://www.brilliantclassics.com/release.aspx?id=FM00394943
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 93980 (60 CD + CD-ROM)
Single set choice
TCHAIKOVSKY: Pique Dame
Maria Guleghina and Olga Borodina (sopranos), Gegam Grigorian (tenor), Vladimir Chernov (baritone), Kirov Opera and Orchestra, Valery Gergiev (conductor)
DECCA 4381412 (3CD)
Piano Trio Op.51
Reviewer: David Fanning
Broadcast: 15th January 2011
- c/w BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonatas Nos. 7-10
- Pinchas Zukerman (violin), Jacqueline du Pre (cello), Daniel Barenboim (piano)
- EMI 94636522456 (2 CDs)
Francesca di Rimini
Reviewer: Jonathan Swain
Broadcast: 8th May 2010
- c/w TCHAIKOVSKY: Overture-Fantasy ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (1880 version); Waltz from ‘Eugene Onegin’ (Act 2); Polonaise from ‘Eugene Onegin’ (Act 3); Overture Solonelle ‘1812’ Op 49
- Orchestra e Coro Dell’ Accademia Di Santa Cecilia / Antonio Pappano (conductor)
- EMI 3700652 (CD, mid price)
Alternative Historic Recommendation:
- c/w MUSSORGSKY: Dawn on the Moscow River; GLINKA: Ruslan and Lyudmila (Overture); GLAZUNOV: Raymonda (Suite)
- Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra / Evgeny Mravinsky (Conductor)
- Warner Elatus 0927-46728-2 (CD, mid price)
The Seasons
Reviewer: David Fanning
Broadcast: 2nd January 2010
- c/w MUSSORGSKY: Pictures from an exhibition; TCHAIKOVSKY: Music from The Sleeping Beauty; 6 Piano Pieces Op 21
- Mikhail Pletnev (Piano)
- Virgin Classics 4820552 (2CD, Budget)
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture*
Reviewer: Geoffrey Norris
Broadcast: 14th February 2009
- (c/w Symphonies 1-6; Francesca da Rimini; Marche Slave; Eugene Onegin Waltz and Polonaise; ARENSKY: Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky Op. 35a; BORODIN: Prince Igor - Overture)
- London Symphony Orchestra*, Philharmonia Hungarica, Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati (conductor)*
- Mercury 4756261 (5 CDs, Budget)
- (c/w Symphony No. 5 in E minor Op. 64)
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Daniele Gatti (conductor)
- Harmonia Mundi HMU907381 (CD)
