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
, making it an unfortunately weak link in the set. The wonderful Allegretto is taken at a properly fast speed but there is a strangely thin string timbre apparent throughout the movement and the orchestra also has a number of impurities in their playing that is most distracting. A fair version, but not even close to being the best.
Symphony No.8 in F major, Op.93
Coupled with the Second Symphony, you can't go wrong at having the Eighth follow right after. Beethoven considered the Eighth as one of his personal favourites and it is clear to see why. It is so filled with Beethovenian humor that it is just an incredible pleasure to listen to. With no slow movement present, it is a work that is consistently jolly as well as being Beethoven's shortest symphony (at least the shortest since the First). There is really very little that need be ...
Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.
The 9symphonies 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 ...
Advantages: Contrasting: dramatic and relaxing, darkness to light Disadvantages: Frustrating if you live in a city
I studied Beethoven as an Open University course leading to a Degree in Music which I achieved in 2002. My admiration of Beethoven is immense. The sixth symphony has to be one of all time favourites: an homage to the countryside.
The Composer
Beethoven has to be the most dynamic and original of all composers. His work influenced and inspired so many orchestral works that followed.
He was born in Bonn in Western Germany in 1770. It was while he was in his twenties that he first became aware of his hearing problems. When he was told that the condition could not be cured, he understandibly fell into a deep depression.
Thankfully he came through and began to explore new approaches to compositional techniques.
The Music
Both the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies are large scale performances lastly for approximately 4o minutes each ...
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