Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.3 in D major ‘Polish’ is cast, uniquely for the composer, in five movements. There is nothing particularly Polish about the piece (the subtitle was added by the conductor Sir August Manns six years after Tchaikovsky’s death) but it does display some characteristically German touches with echoes of Mendelssohn, Schumann and Schubert. The tragic and tempestuous symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini is based on scenes from Dante’s Divine Comedy. The much-admired Tchaikovsky recordings by the Utah Symphony Orchestra and Maurice Abravanel – who brought his orchestra to prominence as one of America’s most distinctive and respected – were originally released on VOX in 1974.

The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings.

Re-released at the same time on Naxos-VOX reissues is the Tchaikovsky symphonic cycle with the Utah SO and Abravanel. ‘As a complete set of symphonies coupled to a mostly fine selection of other popular orchestral works, Abravanel’s achievement sports more consistency than most, at a price that’s well-nigh unbeatable.’ (ClassicsToday.com)

The VOX Audiophile Edition recordings, released in 1974 as quadraphonic LPs, have been newly transferred to CD in high definition. The newly restored edition of Tchaikovsky’s six symphonies, re-coupled with additional overtures and other orchestral works, was produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz, offers legendary sessions with finest sound, ideal for audiophile collectors and fans of classic performances.

Over his 30-year tenure as music director of the Utah Symphony, Maurice Abravanel led the ensemble to international acclaim by conducting live radio broadcasts and recording over 100 albums. Notably, under his leadership, the orchestra made history as the first American ensemble to record Gustav Mahler’s complete nine symphonies, cementing their legacy in classical music.

‘[Abravanel] turns in a deeply committed, extremely exciting Symphony No. 3.’ – ClassicsToday.com

‘His [Abravanel’s] VOX recordings have resulted in a remarkable range of recorded music…[and is] one of the more enlightened aspects of the recent recording scene in the United States…standard classical repertoire, such as the Tchaikovsky symphonies…are straightforward, clearly executed and absolutely honest…’ – John Holmes of Conductors on Record