"I have put my whole soul into this symphony" – Tchaikovsky on Symphony No 6

Tchaikovsky's final symphony, known as the "Pathétique", is a work of haunting beauty and emotional depth—a journey from darkness to fragile light.

From its doom-laden opening to the desperate, fading sorrow of its final notes, this is music that doesn't just tell a story, it feels one. Tchaikovsky never revealed the symphony's hidden narrative, but with it he created new, intensely personal possibilities for the musical form.

With Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda leading the London Symphony Orchestra, this recording captures the full force of Tchaikovsky's vision. Noseda's deep connection to the Russian musical tradition brings out the symphony's vivid colours, sweeping melodies, and aching vulnerability.

The album then journeys further into the heart of Russian history with Mussorgsky's Prelude to 'Khovanshchina', an atmospheric piece that evokes the break of dawn over the Moscow River, as the city slowly stirs to life.

Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Modest Mussorgsky
Conductor Gianandrea Noseda
Performers London Symphony Orchestra

Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74, "Pathétique"
1. I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo
2. II. Allegro con grazia
3. III. Allegro molto vivace
4. IV. Finale. Adagio lamentoso - Andante

Khovanshchina
6. Prelude. Dawn over the Moscow River (Orch. by Rimsky-Korsakov)

Release Date 6 February 2026
LSO0895 | 0822231189527
LSO0895-D | 0822231189565

Producer Nicholas Parker
Engineers Jonathan Stokes for Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 6-7 December 2023 (Tchaikovsky) and 30 January & 9 February 2020 (Mussorgsky) in the Barbican Hall, London

Digital booklet in English, French and German

ALAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Apple devices (MacOS and iOS)
FLAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - Stereo 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Stereo & 5.1 multi-channel - Compatible with all CD players