Tchaikovsky’s unnumbered ‘Manfred’ Symphony has always defied easy categorisation, either as a symphony or a four-movement symphonic poem. Based on a poem by Byron and sharing some similarities with Berlioz’s Harold in Italy, it charts the tempestuous journey of Manfred towards the long-sought peace of death. The rousing Marche slave is a long-established concert favourite. The much-admired Tchaikovsky recordings of 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.

Also available are the Utah/Abravanel recording of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony nos. 1 and 2 (VOXNX3020CD), and their Symphony no.6 with the Hamlet: Fantasy Overture after Shakespeare, op.67a (VOXNX3024CD).

The recordings were originally released in 1974 and so are coming up to their 50th anniversary.

2023 marks both the 120th anniversary of Maurice Abravanel’s birth and the 30th anniversary of his death.

Produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz, these VOX recordings are acknowledged as Audiophile classics.

‘His [Abravanel’s] ‘Manfred’ Symphony also is one of the best available. You simply won’t hear that problematic finale build to a more logically satisfying conclusion, with the tones of the organ ideally blended with the orchestral winds... a sensational Marche slave that’s not afraid of its own vulgarity.’ – ClassicsToday.com