The remarkable success of the first two volumes of Tchaikovsky Orchestral works from by Alpesh Chauhan and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra exploring both the composer’s familiar and lesser known pieces is confirmed as a winning formula by this release of the third volume of their series. Chauhan’s clear affinity with Tchaikovsky’s music and his rapport with the BBC orchestra is once again on display here in this attractive and generous (78.44) programme.

The disc opens with the long-overdue SACD debut of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Suite No. 2 in C major, Op. 53’, composed in 1883. This five-movement work, running just over 39 minutes, clearly showcases the composer’s inexhaustible melodic invention and his flair for orchestral colour. While each movement offers its own distinct character, together they form a compelling whole that deserves far more prominence in the concert hall as well as on disc. Chauhan’s interpretation is affectionate and alert to the suite’s shifting moods. The opening ‘Jeu de sons’ is lithe and spacious, while the central ‘Rêves d’enfant’ unfolds with lyricism and delicate rubato. Crucially, he includes the part for four accordions in the Scherzo humoristique – a detail Tchaikovsky himself deemed “very much desirable.” This does add a unique texture to an already spirited performance, bringing out the wit and charm of this often-overlooked work.

The central portion of the disc turns to the stage, with orchestral excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s most popular opera ‘Eugene Onegin’. The ‘Entr'acte’ and ‘Waltz’ from Act II and the ‘Polonaise’ from Act III are rendered with sensitivity and panache, their familiar melodies reanimated with fresh energy. In contrast, the inclusion of the effervescent ‘Danse des Histrions’ from the composer’s least performed opera ‘The Enchantress’ is a further welcome addition to the SACD catalogue and Chauhan and the BBC SSO deliver this little-known gem with infectious verve.

Another rarity follows in ‘The Storm Op. Post. 76’, a student work composed while Tchaikovsky was at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. It was inspired by Alexander Ostrovsky’s drama that would later serve as the basis for Janáček’s ‘Katya Kabanová’. This overture is admittedly not among Tchaikovsky’s mature masterpieces. However, Chauhan brings such conviction, momentum, and structural clarity to the piece that it becomes a highly engaging listen. His command of pacing ensures the music never stagnates and reveals moments of genuine dramatic intensity.

The programme concludes with the well-known ‘Marche slave’, a perennial audience favourite since its premiere in November 1876. Though this piece has received countless fine recordings on disc Chauhan manages to inject new life into it through his nuanced phrasing and well-judged pacing. His reading balances grandeur with urgency, highlighting the work’s nationalistic fervour without ever descending into bombast.

Sonically, this SACD release is fully in line with its predecessors. The 5.0 multi-channel recording is warm, detailed, and immersive – perfectly capturing the dynamic range and textural richness of Tchaikovsky’s orchestrations. For further impressions of this series, see my reviews of the two earlier volumes on HRAudio.net.

Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 - Chauhan
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 - Chauhan

Highly recommended.

Copyright © 2025 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net

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