Teodor Currentzis and his Siberian-based ensemble MusicAeterna built a cult following, thanks largely to their trio of Mozart operas to Da Ponte libretti. This performance of Tchaikovsky’s great valedictory symphony has colossal impact thanks to the wonderfully vivid and engaging sound. But there’s robust emotional power in Currentzis’ interpretation, too, and MusicAeterna play with terrific attention to detail and a coiled intensity—the music surges and seethes, building up in great waves of sound. Even if you have a favourite recording of the Pathétique, this one demands to be heard.
- Berlin Philharmonic, Nikolaus Harnoncourt & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
- Berlin Philharmonic & Lorin Maazel
- Vienna Philharmonic
- Daniil Trifonov, The Philadelphia Orchestra & Yannick Nézet-Séguin
- Berlin Philharmonic & Claudio Abbado
- Khatia Buniatishvili
- Moishei Vainberg & The Borodin String Quartet