Tchaikovsky The Symphonies

Excellent set of Tchaikovsky recordings in rejuvenated Blu-ray Audio sound quality. Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic provide a perfect introduction to Tchaikovsky's symphonies. Alert and energized, heart-on-sleeve performances which see Karajan and a vintage '70s BPO partnership at the height of its powers. However, the set's presentation leaves rather a lot to be desired. There's no original artwork, and the artwork (?) on the front of the clamshell box is repeated throughout. And to add insult to injury, the Fifth Symphony is split between two CDs. This is a relatively shoddy effort from Deutsche Grammophon. DG/Universal lavished more time and effort on Karajan's 1960s Beethoven CD/Blu-ray Audio box-set, and Kubelik's Mahler Blu-ray Audio box-set has all of the original artwork included. This Karajan/Tchaikovsky box-set and its companion set, Karajan/Bruckner Blu-ray Audio box-set, appeal less to collectors and completists due to the budget-box presentation. The desirability factor ought to be considered... If physical media is to survive then recording companies ought to realize that presentation is of paramount importance. But the Blu-ray Audio disc is superb, and matters of presentation fade from memory once the music begins... Recommended.Edit: There is a problem with the track listing in the set's booklet and on the the Blu-ray Audio disc's sleeve. The six symphonies run consecutively - tracks 1-25. You'll find "Slavonic March" on track 26 and "Capriccio Italien" is on track 27, not tracks 14 and 15... Is it worth returning the set? I don't think so, but Deutsche Grammophon needs to get its corporate act together. I hadn't noticed the problem; my Blu-ray player is connected to my hi-fi system sans TV screen.

Nicely packaged and great audio, but somehow DG have got the tracks all mixed up on the Blu-ray disc! What appears on the screen isn't the track playing from tracks 14 to 27!The Blu-ray sounds significantly better than the Cd's, which are very good for CD's) and technically the restorations are excellent. It's some what confusing however when you choose for example the first movement of Tchaikovsky's 6th 'Pathetique' to actually get the third movement of Tchaikovsky's 5th. When you chose the final movement you actually get his Capriccio Italien! Total shambles, tried to raise this fault with their parent company, but they don't respond to emails from the general public only the trade.BUYER BEWARE!

Years ago, I sold my LPs. Still got my AR 1 deck, original belt still works after 50 years or so. I discovered he difference between Vinyl and Disk immediately. The disks are so convenient though so I will settle for this set, they are a good buy.Anyone else still remember Full Frequency Stereophonic Sound? Or listening firstly to a Radio and a TV playing Stereo as a combination?

Excellent Tchaikovsky performances. The remasterings are outstanding!

The music is wonderful not so keen on the album sleeve

sound not good

This is a historical recording of one of my favourite performances and a historic achievement for BP and von Karajan. I continuously keep checking all other versions with other conductors, but, in my humble opinion, this one is still the best. It simply sounds so natural. You feel the difference when you listen the Blu-ray disk. The main advantage of this edition is the Blu-ray disk which is very durable and up-sampled. If you already own the original CD edition, you also have a backup CDs in this edition.I can't wait to hear the other stereo Blu-rays from DG.