The Most ORGASMIC 1812 Finale Ever.

[blackzarg]

I have this 4 minute MP3 in my music library titled "1812 Overture", and the Artist was just "Tchaikovsky". That was all the data that I had on it. I have no idea where I got the recording, but I have been searching for years for whichever group played it. Tonight, I found it. After listening to Dallas, Cincinnati, London, Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Chicago symphonies, I have finally found the culprit: The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Neeme Jarvi.

Has anyone heard it before? You can get the 4 minute clip from iTunes or Amazon as an MP3 (Link Here).

The full recording is made by DG, which I just ordered and should come by Friday.

The recording quality isn't the absolute best, but the spirit of the players and singers is absolutely orgasmic. The Cannons will test your low frequencies! :boom:

Do yourself a favor and spend the 99 cents for this clip, and tell me what you think!

[quadman]

Even better IMHO was the TELARC version. They recorded the symphany outdoors in the actual location where Tchaikovsky debuted the work (I'm too lazy to look that up). The sound of the same church bells and the first ever digital recording of military 155 mm howitzer cannons being fired will rattle the rafters in your house.

I remember the first time I ever played that CD. It was back in '84, maybe '85 or '86 and CD's were just starting to get popular, and I spun that disc up on a Denon CD player, my Marantz 2252 receiver and my Boston Acoustics A-400 tower speakers. Now, this was pretty much before sub woofers mind you so it was all on the backs of my A-400's and all I can say is wow. Air pounded me in the chest from eight feet away, the sheer's on the LR window moved and the glass even rattled. But, by God.... those Boston's didn't run out of gas, break up or distort one little bit. Damn you just reminded me how much I miss those speakers.

[quadman]

Oops.... looks like I was wrong. http://classicalcdreview.com/1812.htm In trying to do a search for the specific recording, it looks like it wasn't a TELARC version after all. Now, I'm wondering which one it was. DAMN, I wish I wasn't so old and forgetful. :dizzy:

[Kevin_Wadsworth]

Wow, that's a pretty harsh review of the Telarc disc. I own that recording, but I haven't listened to it much because I'm not a big fan of the 1812. In fact, it irritates me that it is played so much at 4th of July fireworks celebrations. Why do we celebrate ou rindependence with a song about the Russian victory over Napoleon? Napoleon was actually good for US independence.

[blackzarg]

Wow, that's a pretty harsh review of the Telarc disc. I own that recording, but I haven't listened to it much because I'm not a big fan of the 1812. In fact, it irritates me that it is played so much at 4th of July fireworks celebrations. Why do we celebrate ou rindependence with a song about the Russian victory over Napoleon? Napoleon was actually good for US independence.

Heh, I think people think of 1812 as the War of 1812 with England, not the Russian victory over Napoleon.

[jvgillow]

I have the Telarc hybrid SACD of 1812. I can't say I've listened to it all the way through except maybe 2 times. Normally I just jump about 12 minutes in on track 1 to hear the final build-up and cannons :D

Classical music really isn't my thing anyway.

[blackzarg]

I have the Telarc recording with Kunzel and Cincinnati as well (that's the one you guys are talking about, right?), not on SACD, but an MP3 from Amazon. I really recommend trying the Jarvi and Gottenburg symphony one, though - the Telarc recording pales in comparison! It's only 99 cents!

[m-fine]

I have this 4 minute MP3 in my music library titled "1812 Overture", and the Artist was just "Tchaikovsky". That was all the data that I had on it. I have no idea where I got the recording, but I have been searching for years for whichever group played it.

Dude, you so needed Shazam! Play a clip of the track into your phone, and it looks up the title performer and album info for you.