The 9 symphonies by Ludwig Van Beethoven. (1770 - 1827) Performed by The London Classical Players. Conducted by Sir Roger Norrington. With the Schutz choir of London.
Not everybody likes classical music. Even those who do, do not all like the same things.
This boxed set of CD's if different from previous recordings.
Firstly, it is played on period instruments. This is not to everybody’s taste.
These instruments are not like today’s instruments. For instance, the violin has a cleaner but more plaintive tone. The woodwinds each has a colour and clarity of tone that blends to a harmonious whole. The timpani, those smaller drums, are hit with hard sticks more reminiscent of military drum sounds. The horn section has a different feel to it.
Considering the lapse of some 184 years, it would be strange if the sounds produced were exactly the same. And that our tastes in music were the same. Techniques in production of instruments have changed, as have our methods of playing them.
Secondly, The orchestra has been structured more like an orchestra of the time of Beethoven. These orchestras were not like modern ones. Pitch for instance was not as important. There were a number in use all across Europe. What were important were phrasing, bowing, and note length and speed. There were different techniques in use then.
Thirdly, In this interpretation, Sir Roger Norrington has gone back to Beethoven's own manuscripts. From these he has taken the written and unwritten phrasing of an orchestra of the period. He has also used Beethoven's own metronome markings to regulate the tempo. This has led to some new interpretations. Faster slow movements than we 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 fortunate to have attended one of the original performances.
The works would have been played in a mixed programme of both vocal and instrumental works. This allowed for a rich cross pollination of ideas from theatre. Beethoven is using what he was provided with from his predecessors and making each symphony a drama.
The London Classical Players have been in many performances both here and abroad of music in period form. They have performed works by Handel, Bach, Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. This has been well received by the public.
The Schutz Choir of London started life in 1962, and carried out 10 years research into choral works. They became professional in 1973 and broke new ground in Baroque music.
With Sir Roger they have performed works by Monteverdi, Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Haydn and Schubert. The choir has toured extensively.
The original set was a six boxed set from EMI as follows:-
CD 1 66’06" Symphony No 1 Symphony No 6 "The Pastoral"
This will not be to everybody’s liking though I do believe that it gives a new perspective on some old favourites.
With a total playing time of over 5 hours there is a lot of music to enjoy. You can follow the development of the various symphonies ideas through the various pieces.
The only drawback is that the pieces are not sequential and that you have to get out of your chair to change CD's. Unless you have one of those things that takes a lot at once.
Put it on the Christmas present list .
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Outstanding
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