Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 1 & 4; Brahms: Haydn Variations

Beethoven's symphonies: the rediscovered frontier

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

INTRODUCTION Beethoven's nine symphonies cover one of the major cornerstones of symphonic literature along with the likes of Haydn, Brahms and Sibelius. Beethoven was born in turbulent times when the common people's dissatisfaction toward the ruling monarchs in Europe was reaching new heights which finally culminated in the French Revolution in 1789. Against this came Beethoven, who was born into a family of musicians in Bonn in 1770. His father wanted to coin in on the child prodigy market created by Mozart whose father had exploited his genius in a similar way. But Beethoven was no Mozart. He wasn't born a child progidy and his performing skills were nowhere near as natural as they were with Mozart. Still he made rapid progress as a piano virtuoso and an amateur composer. He was even supposed to take some lessons with Mozart in Wien ...

berlioz 16.04.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Beethoven Symphonies 1-9 (London Classical Players) - Sir Roger Norrington

Beethoven's music as he should have heard it.

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

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 ...

Coloneljohn 04.12.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Beethoven Symphonies 1-9 (London Classical Players) - Sir Roger Norrington

An expession of feelings

Advantages: Contrasting: dramatic and relaxing, darkness to light
Disadvantages: Frustrating if you live in a city

. They were both performed for the first time in 1808 for Beethoven's benefit concert in Vienna. Symphony no 5 in C minor 1st Movement: Allegro con brio 2nd Movement: Andante con moto 3rd Movement: Allegro 4th Movement: Allegro The period when these symphonies were composed is known as Beethoven's heroic period. The fifth sympony is probably the most characteristic of this phase: Darkness defeated by light. It opens with a dramatic four-note motif that is repeated threatenly through the first movement. (The motif was used by the allies during WW2 as a Victory symbol) The second movement is slower and more lyrical. The tempo of the short third movement speeds up to lead into the triumphal finale. Symphony no 6 in F major 1st Movement: Allegro ma non troppo Awakening of cheefulfeelings upon arrival in the country 2nd Movement ...

MAFARRIMOND 03.05.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Beethoven: Symphony Nos 5 & 6