Daniele Gatti, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 (2005) [SACD]

There is no doubt that this is one of the most exciting performances of Tchaikovsky’s 4th symphony that I have heard, and it is probably one of the fastest ever committed to disc.
Gatti’s tempi for each of the four movements are very swift indeed, the whole work being despatched in just over 39 minutes.
The opening fanfares, which show the RPO brass section in superb form, do not suffer from the unnecessary hesitations perpetrated by Adam Fischer in his version on Channel Classics. This movement is marked Moderato con anima and while Gatti undoubtedly ignores the ‘moderato’ and concentrates on the ‘con anima’, the result are undeniably impressive, with the orchestra following their music director to a man (some lovely wind playing and silky strings in the second subject group) and it never sounds too rushed.
The slow movement- Andantino in modo di canzona- does, however, raise some slight doubts about Gatti’s overall approach. The opening oboe theme is phrased in a very four square manner and the yearning section that follows makes little impression at this speed. The whole movement, played with little rubato, seems to be driven forward too relentlessly, leaving one somewhat unmoved at its conclusion. Both Bernstein, and particularly Fischer, make so much more of it on their recordings.
The final two movements do somewhat vindicate the conductor’s view of the symphony with a light and deftly played Scherzo: pizzicato ostinato and a terrific Finale: Allegro con fuoco which, if this were a live concert, would have the audience on their feet cheering.
The Capriccio Italien that follows is an exhilarating performance. It is full of Italian warmth, yet benefits even more than the symphony from Gatti’s reluctance to linger unduly over the opening section that in many other hands can sound lugubrious. I have never heard it done better.
The up-front sound on the disc, recorded and mastered in DSD, is very good indeed, although the acoustic of Walthamstow Assembly Rooms does seem rather cramped at times in the loud passages and to my ears compares unfavourably with the other two versions mentioned above. The surround channels are discreet and well balanced.
The SACD digipak contains a 53-page booklet in three languages with excellent notes by George Gelles.
This is definitely a version to hear for Gatti’s refreshing approach to this familiar symphony and thrilling playing by the orchestra he has re-vitalised over the past ten years.
Review by wolfE October 2, 2005
When I ordered this title last week, I was a bit sceptical, whether I would get another “quite good” interpretation. I love the music and have many good recordings, Karajan, Bernstein, Maazel, etc., and at least the very good DSD-recorded Fischer-SACD-version (Channel Classics). But as the recording of the Fifth with Gatti, which I do not know myself, got good reviews, I “ran the risk”. And I am glad that I did!! For me this is the best interpretation of Tschaikowskys 4th, I have ever heard. Gatti seems to have an inner relation to the deep sentiment of the music, which – what has been critisized – sometimes reminds of Tschaikowskys ballets and operas, especially Eugen Onegin. For this I love this symphony. – The sound quality (listened in stereo only)could not have been better, analogue-like pure DSD-recording, natural instrument timbre, wide soundstage, impressive dynamics. Highly recommended!!