This is a valuable reissue in the Deutsche Grammophon Originals series, containing the ... more
first domestic appearance on compact disc for the eighth and ninth symphonies in Rafael Kubelik's globe-trotting Beethoven cycle from the mid-1970s (nine symphonies, nine different orchestras). Eagle-eyed collectors will have doubtless already snapped up the glowing Vienna PO seventh when it resurfaced a few years ago on the super-budget Belart label coupled with Kubelik's imposing Boston SO account of the fifth. Here it precedes an admirably lithe, yet beamingly affectionate reading of the eighth with the Cleveland Orchestra--a performance whose unforced musicality and twinkling wit will have you grinning with pleasure from first measure to last. Better still is the "Choral", recorded on Kubelik's home patch with his exemplary Bavarian Radio forces in the sublime acoustic of Munich's Herkulessaal. This is, not to beat about the bush, a truly great ninth, evincing a profound humanity, authority and wisdom distilled from a lifetime's experience on the podium. After a marvellously unforced, cogent account of the first movement, Kubelik brings a distinctive, delectably rustic spring to the scherzo. The heavenly slow movement is a miracle of flowing grace and tender intimacy, while the finale welds all the necessary lump-in-the-throat universality to a joyous sense of occasion. Vivid with beautifully balanced sound throughout (with Kubelik's antiphonally divided fiddles always exceptionally well captured), this is a most desirable Beethoven twofer.--Andrew Achenbach
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Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles
played and the Finale brings a great sense of thankfulness from the country folk. This version makes for a nice breath of fresh air not apparent in many other Pastorals. There really is nothing more one needs to say.
Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92
The Seventh Symphony (my personal favorite among Beethoven's symphonies) receives a rather curious performance when it comes to this set. Whereas most of the other symphonies are quite fresh in inspiration, the Seventh seems to suffer from a lack of energy so important to this Beethoven's most rhythmic symphony. This is particularly noticeable in the Finale, where the tempo is surprisingly relaxed and particularly in the coda the excitement is practically killed off by this lack of energy. It could be that Norrington was still a little unsure of pulling it all out for this difficult work ...
Advantages: One of Beethoven's finest symphonies. Disadvantages: None from me, but some will say "classical music is boring".
THE END OF AN ERA
1812 can be seen as the markerpoint where Beethoven's middle-period came to an end and his late-period was ushered in. Beethoven's middle-period saw the composer at his most creative high with one masterpiece following the other in rapid succession. The beginning of this period can roughly be timed as starting in 1803 with the appearance of the Third Symphony "Eroica" and the "Kreutzer" sonata. These two works signalled Beethoven distinctly leaving the 18th century Classicism of Haydn and Mozart behind him and taking on a completely new and individual voice. This individuality became more and more apparent in the works that followed: the "Waldstein" and "Appassionata" piano sonatas, the "Razumovski" quartets, the Violin Concerto, the three last cello sonatas, the "Archduke" piano trio, Fidelio, the Fifth and Sixth ...
Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.
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"
CD 2 58?40" Symphony No 2 Symphony No 8
CD 3 48?43" Overture: Creatures of Prometheus Symphony No 3 "Erocia"
CD 4 64?36" Symphony No 4 Symphony No 5
CD 5 52?50" Overture; "Coriolan ", Overture: "Egmont", Symphony No 7
CD 6 62?23" Symphony No 9 "The Choral"
This new set from Virgin Classics Catalogue No 5619432 is as follows:-
CD 1 Symphony No 1 Symphony No 3 "Eeroica"
Creatures of Prometheus
CD 2 Symphony No 2 Symphony No 8
Coriolan Overture Egmont Overture
CD 3 Symphony No 4 Symphony No 7
CD 4 Symphony No 5 Symphony No 6 "Pastoral"
CD 5 Symphony No 9 ?The Choral"
Amazon price £13.99
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