Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 4 & 6

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

Beethoven's symphonies: the rediscovered frontier

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

of the symphony also comes off quite well, although there is a certain something that doesn't quite convince in the transition of the Scherzo's C minor to the Finale's C major. The work is played with all repeats included, that is the Scherzo is repeated and the Finale's exposition is also reprised, making it (whether accurate or not to what Beethoven finally wanted) a grand symphony rather than a compact one. Still the effect is rather the opposite. Symphony No.6 in F major, Op.68 "Pastoral" The Pastoral, like just about all the symphonies, runs at a fairly brisk pace. This is particularly effective in the village band third movement and in the thunderstorm fourth movement, the former presenting a true rustic feel of unprofessional players and the latter really brings out the violence of a country storm. The rest of the symphony is also well ...

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

MAHLER CREATED THIS ON HOLIDAY - SYMPHONY NO.4

Advantages: Varied movements, esp. 1st and 4th. One of Mahler's most popular works.
Disadvantages: 2nd movement a little weak.

to complete it. --- MUSIC --- Mahler himself thought of this work as transparent, relatively brief, and non-aggressive. Comprising of 4 movements, it is fairly short compared to his other symphony's and certainly more upbeat, using only a small section of the orchestra compared to his other works. The first movement would almost look like a pyramid if drawn. The start and end are very gradually built up/down (the same melody used at the start and finish) with the climax of the piece about 10mins in with bells and horns making an appearance. The second movement relies far too much on strings for my liking and lacks the distinctiveness of the 1st movement. The 3rd draws a more subtle manner which makes you believe it is the same as the 2nd at first, but then provides differences to illustrate its superiority; it also leads ...

Puma1000 24.03.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Mahler: Symphony No 4