★★★★★ Tchaikovsky so beautiful it almost hurts--a must listen

Tchaikovsky: Ballet Suites

Sometimes indulging in orchestral sumptuousness is irresistible, and that's certainly the case with these delectable Tchaikovsky ballet suites from James Levine and the Vienna Philharmonic. The playing is so rapturous it almost takes the breath away at times, and thankfully DG has captured the moment with warm, detailed sonics. I wish recordings always gave such full justice to the individuality of this great orchestra.

Of course these suites are all ballet selections. Levine doesn't try to read into the character of the individual ballets, nor is he aiming to be "danceable". That's no strike against him, though, as he pours out burnished sweetness with a tenderness that makes the heart ache. And I can't begin to describe the sound of the orchestra. It's unremittingly beautiful but also infectiously energetic. Levine makes the music effortless, letting it pour forth without a trace of mannerism or heaviness. We're far removed from Tchaikovsky's gloomy world. Instead the melancholy turns to nostalgia, with a distinct singing quality in the violins. The shadows are chased away in favor of pure sunshine, and I'm not about to complain. These musicians are playing with the utmost sincerity, and it's hard to resist the spell.

Surely this disc stands out in a crowded field. I'd also point listeners to Karajan's readings with both Vienna and Berlin. Karajan achieves his own striking intensity and orchestral glory. But for charm and sweetness, it's hard to beat Levine.