Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings; Francesca da Rimini.(Sound recording review)

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings; Francesca da Rimini. Leopold Stokowski, London Symphony Orchestra. Pentatone Classics 5186 122.

I know I've mentioned this before, but it bears repeating so stick with me. In the 1970s, Philips and several other record companies jumped on the quadraphonic bandwagon and made a number of recordings in four-channel sound. However, because of the limitations in playback equipment back then, it was difficult to appreciate the advantages that multichannel sound brought to the table. Philips eventually released their quad recordings in ordinary two-channel stereo, and laid the multichannel tapes to rest. Until recently, that is, when SACD opened the door once again to multichannel audio.

This Stokowski recording of works by Tchaikovsky comes from 1974, and for the first time since its recording Pentatone Classics present it in its original four-channel configuration. Unfortunately, neither the SACD sound nor the Stokowski performances are anything to write home about. Playing the recording in SACD, I found the audio more than a little soft, round, billowy, and overblown. Moreover, I found the performances of both the Serenade for Strings and the tone poem Francesca da Rimini less than inspired. It isn't that the works aren't taken at a quick tempo or without enthusiasm. They are. ...