Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64/Leningrad Philharmonic/Mravinsky—Esoteric Mastering vinyl reissue 2024

I was going to pass on the latest ESOTERIC vinyl remastering release. Not because of the expected improvements to the sound or legendary performance, but because of the wobbly French horn playing in the famous slow movement (for me, how goes the solo, goes the symphony) and, as I remember it, the somewhat hard-edged sound DG recorded in London’s Wembley Town Hall (the orchestra was on a 1960 British tour).

I was wrong about several things. First, only the great Russian conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky’s seminal Symphony No. 4, still top of the performance/interpretation league in 2024, was recorded in London. Mravinsky was so pleased with the London/DG results compared to Russian recording technology, he arranged for Symphony No. 5 (under review) and Symphony No. 6 ”Pathétique” to be recorded at the fabled Musikverein in Vienna. I never did put two and two together because the sounds of 5 and 6 (if I can rely on my aural memory?), were similar and not too memorable (compared to the Decca and EMIs of the day) as recorded in a vastly different acoustic from Wembley. Second was the famous and pivotal horn solo, played with a vibrato wide enough to drive a Lada through it.

However, I was drawn to the ESOTERIC vinyl, so I decided to stream the performance to see how it held up. It seems I was wrong about the horn, too. For sure, a typical Russian wide vibrato, but played by a fine artist. Now, the vibrato didn’t seem as bothersome and I was completely won over by the solo playing. I had a quick visit to my Japanese dealer of choice on eBay and the record was on its way.

The fearsome Yevgeny Mravinsky (1903 – 1988) professor of conducting at the Leningrad Conservatory and music director of Russia’s finest orchestra, the Leningrad Philharmonic.

Even though the sound of the records was never their shining star, the performances and the playing are legendary as are Mravinsky’s amazing conceptions of the great symphonies. The 5th retains the playing standards of the 4th but Mravinsky also allows the many gentle moments the lead. So from the opening quiet clarinet solo (2 players) to the aforementioned horn solo, to the elegant waltz movement, you’ll feel Mravinsky’s tender touch. But when we get to the finale, although not a hair on fire, barnburner like his 4th Symphony, Tchaikovsky still manages a famous finale, here taken at blazing speed by Mravinsky.

Of course, the Leningraders are up for it.

Mravinsky was a tough taskmaster and expected and received fanatical detail to dynamic markings and marks of expression (listen to the dynamic shading of the famous clarinet opening). In the 1st subject “con anima”, Mravinsky holds back until building to massive, exciting climaxes. In many ways, Tchaikovsky continues his compound time rhythmic shenanigans from the first movement of the 4th Symphony, except the 5th is much easier technically, but no less interesting. With the appearance of 2nd subject, Mravinsky builds climaxes like few others. And the orchestra seems to have plenty in reserve if called upon. The ESOTERIC mastering handles all this in its stride, adding the Musikverein lustre missing from the original. Tchaikovsky’s’ mastery of his movement’s development section inspires the orchestra to sound no different than Berlin or Vienna. Fabulous playing.

Musikverein, Vienna.

It is during the louder passages with abrupt endings where the famous Musikverein warmth is noted during the reverberation time. But the new remastering is so scrupulous (not unpleasantly so) that some of that brass wobble can be heard in the trombone section. And the numerous places Tchaikovsky uses en masse pizzicato, that fleshy, fat, yet precise sound only the best string sections can produce (loud or soft), is heard beautifully on this remaster.

The elegant, Nutcracker-like Waltz is supremely musical with the recording giving the listener all the to and fro between upper and lower strings during the 16th note runs and a very interesting orchestration note by the composer—four horns playing stopped quietly for rhythmic emphasis (“gestopft” in the photo below). Never noticed that before. On the ESOTERIC, clear and effective. As always, this short movement serves as an amuse-bouche to the drama and excitement of the finale.

After the finale’s portentous opening with the cyclical theme heard in all the previous moments, we’re off to the races at a noted 120 = half note (“alla breve”), but more like 132! Fast. Played brilliantly and very exciting. The violin section playing downbows at the heel at great speed in loud dynamics is something to behold. No fears for them, their wild lion tamer conductor or the brilliant new remastering from ESOTERIC. A perfect ending to a wonderful symphony.

I have not heard the Analogphonic vinyl set of all three Mravinsky symphony recordings. They were done by the brilliant team at Emil Berliner Studios AAA. The ESOTERIC new remastering process has a digital step. I heard no digital artifacts on this beautifully pressed vinyl. If you’ve heard the Analogphonic, please let me know your thoughts in the Comments. But with this fourth ESOTERIC new vinyl release, the Japanese company sounds supremely confident that they’d be tough to beat. It’s now my go-to Tchaikovsky 5th. A brilliant release.

Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Evgeny Mravinsky
Product ID: ESLG-10004
 Released in Autumn 2023