Beethoven: Orchestral Works

Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven
Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles

...culmination of epic proportions. In the Fourth he made decisive moves to make the timpani a musical instrument instead of providing mere accented highlights during crescendos. He also added much romantic and poetical feel to the work that is especially apparent in the quiet B flat minor introduction. In the Fifth he brought us the concept of the "victory symphony" where we move from a great struggle to a final, grand victory. This approach of beginning in the minor key and ending in an affirmative major would become a basic staple for the Romantics that followed. The Sixth on the other hand offered a very different kind of avenue that was also developed in the Romantic era: program music. Cast in five movements, Beethoven's scenes from the country created a prototype for the highly pictorial music of Berlioz, Liszt, Wagner, and many others with its... Read review

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Advantages: A work that changed the way we look at symphonies
Disadvantages: none whatsoever

...Eroica, to the memory of a great man," the title it has become known to us today. But it is also important to keep in perspective the influence of Napoleon in this work. Many have tried to see Napoleon in the programmatic sense, with the first being a "portrait" of him, the second an anticipation of his downfall or some other historic association with Napoleon, and the finale as his rise from corporal to general. This is of course utter folly. The symphony most probably represents Beethoven's own ideals and struggles with fate, his hero-worshipping and his own desires to evolve the symphonic design. The symphony was mostly written in 1803 and was finished in the beginning of 1804. When we forget all the irrelevant programmatic ideas, we can focus on a work that is truly groundbreaking for its time. In 1803 a normal symphony was usually... Read review

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Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments
Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.

...are used to and slower fast movements. This is more in line with the traditions that Beethoven himself would have been familiar with. The metronome markings from when his deafness prevented him from hearing the music too properly conduct a performance of a work. The 18th and 19th century orchestra was changing during this period. It had come to fruition under such masters as Haydn and Mozart. The elements need to be not just a beautiful sound but a dynamic dialog between the sections. The new Romantic period was just starting. What Sir Roger has tried to do with these recordings is to make Beethoven NEW. We will all be familiar with the usual recordings and performances of the works of Beethoven. But in this set we have a new and vibrant interpretation that is closer to the music that would have been heard if we had have been... Read review

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