Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 5 and 7

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... Read review

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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... Read review

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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... Read review

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