I think the key to the SF Symphony performance under Michael Tilson Thomas is MTT's boldness to accelerate the tempo at the end. Makes for overwhelming excitement. MTT knows his orchestra very well, what they can do without falling apart. Very professional.
MTT's huge smile at the end gives me goosebumps. I can't imagine how amazing it would feel to be on the receiving end of that: a world-renowned conductor saying, "hey folks, you just played one of the hardest and most exciting symphonies ever written, and you NAILED IT."
Totally agree. I've just sent this to my sons with a message saying that exact thing. Seemingly a lovely man with a smile to turn lemons into chocolate. No wonder he gets total cooperation from his players.
Wow - I love Tchaikovsky (have been listening to him for years) but have almost never seen any live performances. This is great! I would probably cry if I saw it live... oh lor...
I adore MTT, his passion, gentleness, kindness, sense of humor... what an incredible conductor and person, thanks to him our SF orchestra became one of the best in the world.
Ahhhh... MTT and Davies Symphony Hall! I grew up in the bay area so I've been to many concerts here over the years. Amazing piece played by a great orchestra! Thanks for posting!
Bravissimi. M. T. Thomas is an inspired conductor and pianist. Conceiving 100% the real spirit of this symphony's finale,he managed to transform the various orchestra sections into splendidly collaborating ensembles.(brass & strings). He coloured this excerpt with dynamism and especially breathtaking crescendi. A bit pompous performance, but, sincerely, nowadays, we don't have many opportunities to" enjoy" such an exceptionally triumphant sound.
This is the most utterly fucking VISCERAL performance of ANYTHING I've ever heard. Even more so than top drum corps performances. Holy fucking shit. That is all.
CowApocalypse I think your foul and perverse choice of words is visceral, not the San Francisco symphony's music. There are much more intelligent ways to disagree about Tchaikovsky.
Lol. It was a compliment. Didn't "disagree" w/ anything. I find MTT/SFSO performances extremely exciting and visceral, hence their appeal. As far as my "foul and perverse" word choice, guess I've been commenting on DCI videos for too long. Lol.
wooow, this is absolutely amazing performance!!! there are a lot of brilliant videos of this movement... but I love this one, MTT is so hot and orchestra plays not just technically but also with a loooot of feeling. I can recognize Mrs. MUSIC in flute or oboe solos :D :) nice!
Bill, thanks to MTT and to all of you for the Keeping Score vids!! The Tchaik DVD is shown to nearly every music class I teach within the first two weeks of the first term, and gives me amazing reference points to use to keep expectations high throughout the year. Keep them coming, and I'll keep buying them!
This has to be my favourite song by Tchaikovsky or any composer. I'd also like to say the cymbal player at the end of this song was AMAZING!!!! just too good
I thought the same you say in your comment about two forms of conducting! Two wonderful performances and different (thaks for this and for your video contribution)
The NY Phil is currently doing this symphony and I experienced it last Saturday night. Very lovely, highly recommended if you're close or looking to take a trip.
On the full DVD of this, I love the moment when one of the cams catches MTT offstage just afterwards, joking with the crew -- "That was a GRRRROWL-worthy performance!" lol...perfect.
love it! we played the concert band arrangement of this in high school band. it was in E flat instead of F. lol. but it was fun and this is a great work!
That 2nd chair Oboe should be first chair she is that good. I been watching her for years and she is my favorite by far. Great posting medpiano. SF hit the big time.
yay! i love this song, i just played it at my all-state orchestra thingy and it was really really hard (high stuff...violin...) but it was still so much fun to play! XD
It makes me sad that amazing music like this is only getting 142,349 views while Rebecca Black and Justin Bieber are getting way into the millions. I don't wanna live in this world anymore. People's perception on real talent is dead. If our most famous artists are digitally enhanced people "singing" the same chord progression... I quit. Tchaikovsky is simply amazing. The musicians in this orchestra (along with Chicago Symphony, and New York Phil, etc) are the epitome of talent.
Thank you, medpiano, for posting this. I always loved this best of Tchaikovsky's. Especially when I found out he dedicated it to Countess Von Meck. I can't help but think of it as a "love letter", among all his other letters to her. I hope she was grateful. I know my old heart is.
it's amazing, this orchestra is quite talented, dedicated and AMAZING. i watched the Keeping Score of this, and the musicians meet days before they perform and perfect it. SOUNDS SOO AWESOME. :D
John Engelkes is a boss. Look at him playing that bass trombone. Great tuba/bass trombone sound. Who's playing tuba in this? All I know is that it's not Jeff.
It has a hole in it because I believe those are awesome old cymbals that got cracked. Rather than throw them away, they simply cut out the part with the crack. There is no discernible change to the tone color. If playing the end of Tchaik 4 correctly required having holes in the cymbals, someone would be marketing "Tchaik 4 SpeedDemon Cymbals" for $1000. It's possible to play on any sized cymbals without the vacuum; just watch the position of the plates and have a nimble wrist.
I d'ont know the USA orchestras, but without seing the videos, just listening, the San Francisco seems having better quality. Barenboim conducting is more exotic, and that is always atractive to see, but I personally prefered the meaning Michael Tilson Thomas gave to this particulary mvmt.
@hollytree1996 Don't quit! Only those whom remain affiliated with true talent and art will know what true art is! Yes, it is sad that certain individuals get recognition for noise they produce! At least an artistic elite minority know what true music is and how emotional it can be when it reaches the soul! "Don't quit! It's society's mask, it's society's way." Just don't follow modern music. Doesn't matters what others think! At least you know this is real art!
love his interpretation! very grandiose and powerful yet not macho-strong or too "pungent". quite perfect! i think tchaikovsky himself would probably approve!
@peanutmabob It's hard to tell if there is a hole, but if there is, it could be to prevent a vacuum when the two cymbals are hit together....I've seen one pop inside out once from that.
This movement always leaves me breathless. This is true music at it's finest.
First heard this piece as a kid in the movie "What A Way To Go" , when Paul Newman's character meets his demise.
This cymbalist is legendary.
I think the key to the SF Symphony performance under Michael Tilson Thomas is MTT's boldness to accelerate the tempo at the end. Makes for overwhelming excitement. MTT knows his orchestra very well, what they can do without falling apart. Very professional.
I heard the Cymbal player suffered second degree burns when his Cymbals burst into flames.
Chuck Freeman Just like my hands from applauding this magnificent performance!
MTT's huge smile at the end gives me goosebumps. I can't imagine how amazing it would feel to be on the receiving end of that: a world-renowned conductor saying, "hey folks, you just played one of the hardest and most exciting symphonies ever written, and you NAILED IT."
Totally agree. I've just sent this to my sons with a message saying that exact thing. Seemingly a lovely man with a smile to turn lemons into chocolate. No wonder he gets total cooperation from his players.
Wow - I love Tchaikovsky (have been listening to him for years) but have almost never seen any live performances. This is great! I would probably cry if I saw it live... oh lor...
I adore MTT, his passion, gentleness, kindness, sense of humor... what an incredible conductor and person, thanks to him our SF orchestra became one of the best in the world.
Rousing. And some of the best cymbal work I've ever heard or seen!
What an electrifying performance!
I've listened to this at least 100 times, enough to where I can whistle the whole thing!
I love it so much!
Oh. My. God. I'm in love with this piece.
I must say, the director for this recording made it look like a movie unlike most of other orchestral DVDs. Very Cool.
Ahhhh... MTT and Davies Symphony Hall! I grew up in the bay area so I've been to many concerts here over the years. Amazing piece played by a great orchestra! Thanks for posting!
I've heard it hundreds of times. Now even say: BRILLIANT!
What an absolutely incredible performance!!
Bravissimi. M. T. Thomas is an inspired conductor and pianist. Conceiving 100% the real spirit of this symphony's finale,he managed to transform the various orchestra sections into splendidly collaborating ensembles.(brass & strings). He coloured this excerpt with dynamism and especially breathtaking crescendi. A bit pompous performance, but, sincerely, nowadays, we don't have many opportunities to" enjoy" such an exceptionally triumphant sound.
I love the comment about how MTT is so enthusiastic he looks like a little kid given candy. :)
a world without classical music is not worth living :(
Agreed😉
👍
I touch myself when I hear this music.
Too funny, you made my day. ^^
Do we really need to know this?
I like MTT and SFS very much actually my fav. American Symphony
Wow, so high energy on the runs and precision, sooooo beautiful at the slow 5:44-7:17.Every note heard despite the echos. Brilliant!
Finally, for me, a venue with a lot of acoustical reverberation. I think this also elevates the performance.
This is a very meaty, spacious recording. Love the sound. Bass drum and cymbals are delicious
Love watching this.a big shout out to my classmate Dan Smiley and his sister Mariko Smiley.
Regards,
Jan P
That was BREATHTAKING!!! What an explosive conclusion =D
Holy crap!!! Did you see the symbol player at the end?! Freaking beast!!!!!
This is the most utterly fucking VISCERAL performance of ANYTHING I've ever heard. Even more so than top drum corps performances. Holy fucking shit. That is all.
CowApocalypse I think your foul and perverse choice of words is visceral, not the San Francisco symphony's music. There are much more intelligent ways to disagree about Tchaikovsky.
Lol. It was a compliment. Didn't "disagree" w/ anything. I find MTT/SFSO performances extremely exciting and visceral, hence their appeal. As far as my "foul and perverse" word choice, guess I've been commenting on DCI videos for too long. Lol.
CowApocalypse - For the record, this classical percussionist thinks your comment was fucking right on. 😆✌🏻
hell yeah. thanks man!! xD
wooow, this is absolutely amazing performance!!! there are a lot of brilliant videos of this movement... but I love this one, MTT is so hot and orchestra plays not just technically but also with a loooot of feeling. I can recognize Mrs. MUSIC in flute or oboe solos :D :) nice!
Just how I like my Symphonies. Big and Loud.
EXCELLENT FINALE!
hey the cymbal part is like one of the most important/impressive parts of this piece.
and i think this guy played it pretty damn well!
omg the sound he commands is superb freakin sweet man
we've discovered the gift of tchaikovsky, it will be with us forever...to the millions watching the dreck they will have no long lasting memory of it.
Bill, thanks to MTT and to all of you for the Keeping Score vids!! The Tchaik DVD is shown to nearly every music class I teach within the first two weeks of the first term, and gives me amazing reference points to use to keep expectations high throughout the year. Keep them coming, and I'll keep buying them!
This has to be my favourite song by Tchaikovsky or any composer.
I'd also like to say the cymbal player at the end of this song was AMAZING!!!!
just too good
I thought the same you say in your comment about two forms of conducting!
Two wonderful performances and different (thaks for this and for your video contribution)
I get to go see the San Francisco Symphony next week!!!
Conducting, tempo and musical phrasing SUPERB!
What an ensemble, words wouldn't not describe how marvelous they sounds.
AND the SFSO's brass section is a killa too... :))))
The sad thing is that the world lacks people like you and me. I wish everyone thought this way...
The first note hit you in the face like a fright train!
...
WHoooooph! "AAA!"
The NY Phil is currently doing this symphony and I experienced it last Saturday night. Very lovely, highly recommended if you're close or looking to take a trip.
I love this song!!!
OH MAN. SO GREAT.
I WAS THERE.
This version is PERFECTLY BALANCED orchestrally.
On the full DVD of this, I love the moment when one of the cams catches MTT offstage just afterwards, joking with the crew --
"That was a GRRRROWL-worthy performance!"
lol...perfect.
1:18 the secret of sound of these cymbals. The hole ;)
love it! we played the concert band arrangement of this in high school band. it was in E flat instead of F. lol. but it was fun and this is a great work!
THANK GOD FOR THIS MOVEMENT! :D
Ah, good old Russian music.
Grand, bombastic, audacious and loud enough to make those people with sub-woofers in their trunks question their manhood.
That 2nd chair Oboe should be first chair she is that good. I been watching her for years and she is my favorite by far. Great posting medpiano. SF hit the big time.
What an epic performanc! MTT is a god!
props to MTT for 3 crash cymbals at the epic climax.
What I love is how their conductor is most def not boring :D
god my youth orchestra just played this and it was insane, we didnt take it quite as fast, and we werent nearly as synchronus as these guys
un-freaking-believable.
I get to study with the timpani player next year...
Awesome!
such a beautiful trombone section!
yay! i love this song, i just played it at my all-state orchestra thingy and it was really really hard (high stuff...violin...) but it was still so much fun to play! XD
@kaosgirl213 GO FOR IT!! don't let you passion go!
i have set a goal to attempt to get into that syphony
It makes me sad that amazing music like this is only getting 142,349 views while Rebecca Black and Justin Bieber are getting way into the millions. I don't wanna live in this world anymore. People's perception on real talent is dead. If our most famous artists are digitally enhanced people "singing" the same chord progression... I quit. Tchaikovsky is simply amazing. The musicians in this orchestra (along with Chicago Symphony, and New York Phil, etc) are the epitome of talent.
Thank you, medpiano, for posting this. I always loved this best of Tchaikovsky's. Especially when I found out he dedicated it to Countess Von Meck. I can't help but think of it as a "love letter", among all his other letters to her. I hope she was grateful. I know my old heart is.
It's too Amazing!!
Totally agreed. I could not have put it better than you did.
Damn it Tchaikovsky how can you be this awesome!
Great great great performance
@icecreammman I think the world needs more people like you!
Great playing Jeff! Congrats!
Great counting cymbalist! You're hired! 8:28
it's amazing, this orchestra is quite talented, dedicated and AMAZING. i watched the Keeping Score of this, and the musicians meet days before they perform and perfect it. SOUNDS SOO AWESOME. :D
John Engelkes is a boss. Look at him playing that bass trombone.
Great tuba/bass trombone sound. Who's playing tuba in this? All I know is that it's not Jeff.
Thanks for Video......Tchaikovsky is THE BEST
It has a hole in it because I believe those are awesome old cymbals that got cracked. Rather than throw them away, they simply cut out the part with the crack. There is no discernible change to the tone color. If playing the end of Tchaik 4 correctly required having holes in the cymbals, someone would be marketing "Tchaik 4 SpeedDemon Cymbals" for $1000. It's possible to play on any sized cymbals without the vacuum; just watch the position of the plates and have a nimble wrist.
wonderful!!
I'm playing this now... So amazing!!
I did this with the Tennessee All-State Orchestra in 2005. So fricking amazing!!!
MTT PWNS Barenboim and the San Francisco Symphony PWNS the Chicago Symphony.
Absolutely!!
Why is the sound quality so high on this video? It's sooo awesome
I d'ont know the USA orchestras, but without seing the videos, just listening, the San Francisco seems having better quality. Barenboim conducting is more exotic, and that is always atractive to see, but I personally prefered the meaning Michael Tilson Thomas gave to this particulary mvmt.
Tchaikovsky is the best!!! And Michael Tilson and his smiles too :-))
amazing =]
Somebody else made this comment, but I think it's worth reposting. "Get it, crash cymbal line!" lol.
Mea culpa--of course it's the SFSO. I have honestly no idea why I wrote LA. It's been fixed in the blurb and tags--thanks for the heads up.
Great interpretation!!
Isaw this performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra last night!!!! im still speechless!!
El tercer movimiento de esta sinfonía es un clásico mundial. Viva el genio de Tschaikowsky. Nadie había hecho antes una cosa como esta
I want more!!! Can someone advise me some good stuff like this ?
the tubist is a freakn beast!!!!
most beautiful first note EVER!!!!!!!
@Lassannn The Tchai Man rules! :)
Best Tchaikovsky 4 EVER
Partial to Barenboim's interpretation myself, but I suppose I really out to be thanking Tchaikovsky for this masterpiece in the first place!
When the last few minutes of the melodies came, I wanted to stand up and jump around. So dramatic, so passionate.
@hollytree1996 Don't quit! Only those whom remain affiliated with true talent and art will know what true art is! Yes, it is sad that certain individuals get recognition for noise they produce! At least an artistic elite minority know what true music is and how emotional it can be when it reaches the soul! "Don't quit! It's society's mask, it's society's way." Just don't follow modern music. Doesn't matters what others think! At least you know this is real art!
@CrazyAd88 I agree. He loves the sound of his own voice and never shuts the hell up
love his interpretation! very grandiose and powerful yet not macho-strong or too "pungent". quite perfect! i think tchaikovsky himself would probably approve!
@vballstar5 can be used both as a time period or a genre in general
as a fellow string player... the ending is mindnumbingly difficult!!
does any1 remember that pbs special with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Fran symphony orchestra about this symphony
@peanutmabob It's hard to tell if there is a hole, but if there is, it could be to prevent a vacuum when the two cymbals are hit together....I've seen one pop inside out once from that.