Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture

By Herbert Kupferberg
(Igor Buketoff conducting New Philharmonic Orchestra, New Cathedral Choirs, Guns of the King’s Troop, Russian Church Bells; RCA LSC3051). The best idea in this super-duper sonic special is the use of a choir to sing the hymns and chants Tchaikovsky set instrumentally. The voices contribute depth and feeling, but the conducting lacks thrust and excitement. Still, better than most.