New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein – Tchaikovsky: The complete symphonies (5CD) (2003)

From the youthful and exuberant early symphonies to the later grand masterpieces, Tchaikovsky was never hesitant to bare his soul and express his most personal feelings in his works. This broad spectrum of emotional narrative calls for an orchestra, and a very special conductor, to interpret those intimate details and translate them into a musical experience that captures the composer, his triumph, his torment, and his genius.

Leonard Bernstein was truly born to conduct Tchaikovsky. The maestro's own trademark energy serves to inspire the New York Philharmonic to lofty heights of joy, and in contrast, spectacular descents into the aphotic realms of self-doubt and depression---just as the composer's own life unfolded.

There is a mood and a color for every listener here. And melody! Endless lines of passionate melodies for which Tchaikovsky is so fondly remembered. Bernstein's reading of the 6th symphony stands supreme above the vast and varied recordings over the decades. The "Pathetique" seems to offer a special license for conductors to exercise liberties with tempos and dynamics. Bernstein managed to find the ideal balance here, as he did with the entire symphony cycle, and this set offers a rewarding journey into the world of one of our greatest concert composers. This collection belongs on the shelf of every Tchaikovsky enthusiast or classical music lover.