Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 [recorded live in 2008]

"…a young man's view of Tchaikovsky's first and last symphonies: infectious, bracing, and idealistic by turns, the results are both lively and heartfelt. This Pathétique… finale… receives a terrifying rendition; its feverish climaxes in the middle and stabbing sforzandos and pizzicatos near the end convey the pain of death more than its sense of release."
(BBC Music)

"Jurowski steers a marvellously lithe and clear-sighted course through this youthful canvas, with springy bass-lines, luminous textures and bracing contrapuntal vigour. Jurowski's Pathétique, too, has much to commend it… Everything is exquisitely nuanced, and Jurowski exploits an intrepidly wide range of dynamic..."
(Gramophone)

"Both are exceptional performances, superbly recorded with a breathtaking range of dynamics. Taking pride of place is the wonderfully bright, buoyant account of the First Symphony... In both works, the playing of the LPO is world class."
(The Guardian)

First release in what will be a complete Tchaikovsky symphony cycle.

Jurowski came to international attention and recognition on disc in 2005 with 2 Tchaikovsky releases: Suite No.3 on PentaTone and on the LPO label his debut recording Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony, both widely and critically acclaimed releases. As Hugh Canning in The Sunday Times noted 'Jurowski is proving himself one of the rising podium stars, especially in his native Russian music', so the Tchaikovsky symphony cycle is a perfect artistic collaboration with the LPO and the cycle of numbered symphonies begins here with the release of the 'bookends' - Symphonies 1 and 6.

Winter Daydreams is seductively atmospheric here, and under Jurowski's direction, a lightness and pace to match with the crisp orchestrations giving the impression of a winter landscape. Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony, Pathétique, captures the doom of his tormented world, with the tragic finale gaining significance with his sudden death just days after conducting the first performance in St. Petersburg.

'Tchaikovsky always led with his heart - but Jurowski's fastidious and loving attention to detail in the First Symphony displayed its classical credentials in ways one rarely hears. This performance was on the money from start to finish… If anyone can "reveal" the real Tchaikovsky, this man can.' Independent, October 2008