P.Tchaikovsky - Symphonie Nr.6 in h-moll, "Pathetique" / Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic / DG / 1990

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky -

Symphonie Nr.6 in h-moll, "Pathetique"

Leonard Bernstein /

New York Philharmonic

Deutsche Grammophon / Recorded in August 1986 / Issued in 1990

Undoubtedly one of the most influential and emotional conductors of the 20th century, particularly in his final fifteen years of life, Leonard Bernstein was also, not surprisingly, the target of controversy during those final years as his conducting tempos got gradually slower and his conducting style became ever more flamboyant. Probably no recording he made during those final years has engendered as much debate as this live 1986 recording of Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony (the "Pathetique"). The final symphonic utterance of Russia's greatest composer, the "Pathetique" is without question one of the most emotional outpourings in music history, normally taking 45-50 minutes to perform. On this particular recording, however, Bernstein really lets loose with the emotion, complete with tortured tempo, and brings the "Pathetique" to the finish line in just under an hour. That this should spawn such a huge controversy is not too terribly surprising, given Bernstein's history of flamboyance on the podium. Nevertheless, this live recording with his New York Philharmonic is one of incredible skill; the orchestra handles his style well as they always did, even when the first and last movements are done incredibly slow. The explosive scherzo/march that is the third movement is done here in a massive outburst that perhaps Tchaikovsky himself would never have dreamed of. Like him or hate him during his final years, Bernstein really brings out the most in the popular repertoire HIS way. And this recording is as solid proof of that as any he ever made.