Freccia/LPO: Tchaikovsky 1812 Ov, March Slave, Andante Cantabile - RCA CSC-308

Jacket VG / LP NM

This handsome LP from RCA (CSC-308, US pressing, black label, stereo) entitled "Tender and Triumphant · The Beautiful Music of Tchaikovsky" features conductor Massimo Freccia and the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a high-octane all-Tchaikovsky program, sumptuously recorded in demonstration quality sound in 1964 and sounding splendid here.

The exact program is as follows, all works by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky:

1812 Overture Op. 49

Andante Cantabile, arr. for full string orchestra from the String Quartet No. 1 in D Major Op. 11

March Slave Op. 31

This recording boasts among the most realistic cannon fire heard on disc for the simple reason that it does not sound heavily "pasted on" after the fact. All three performances are imbued with the frisson of "live" performance. It is a pity that Freccia did not record more – he was clearly an inspiring podium presence and this superb Tchaikovsky album should be much more widely known.

There are insightful liner notes (uncredited) on the reverse side of the jacket, printed in English only. The memorable cover design / photo is similarly uncredited.