Christoph Eschenbach’s interpretation of the “Pathétique” Symphony is the best in his traversal of the big three Tchaikovsky symphonies. It provides still more evidence that the music Eschenbach and the Philadelphia Orchestra are capable of producing together makes their apparently acrimonious separation all the more regrettable

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After a very good Tchaikovsky Fifth symphony and a so-so Fourth, Christoph Eschenbach and the Philadelphia Orchestra have hit a home run with the Pathétique. Like the previous editions in this cycle, this is a large-scale performance with movement durations somewhat longer than the norm. But this in no way suggests slackness on Eschenbach’s part, for his is a taut and tense reading, infused with drama and passion. The first-movement development releases tremendous energy without becoming maudlin, but the biggest climax comes at the second subject’s reprise, where Eschenbach milks the big tune for all its expressive power. Afterward the scherzo trips along lightly in its 5/4 meter.