Beethoven: Symphony No. 5; Egmont Overture

Advantages: Dramatic, emotional music
Disadvantages: The introductory chords will wake you up

...Ludwig van Beethoven was born on 16th December 1770 in Bonn, Germany and died in Vienna on 26th March 1827. The story of Beethovens deafness is well known. By the time he composed the “Eroica”, he was already aware of some signs of hearing difficulties. Beethoven had a distict and individual musical style that encompassed elements of the traditional classical period and was innovative in introducing elements that were to become the Romantic period with emphasis on expressing personal feelings. Beethoven – Symphony No 3: Egmont Overture Performed by Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Composed by George Szell Released 1995 Label Salzburg Festival Servies Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 “Eroica” This is one of the best known classical pieces. It’s striking opening making it immediately recognisable. Luigi van Beethoven composed... Read review

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

...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 This will not be to everybody’s liking though I do believe that it gives a new perspective on some... Read review

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

...slower pace than normal, bringing to mind the ticking of one of those big clocks like Big Ben. This slow tempo is also maintained as we prepare for the grand appearance of "Freude, schöner Götterfunken", something that is usually played much faster. The coda is also somewhat slower than usual but gathers enough energy for its last flourish of celebratory energy. A flawed, but still rather exciting version, the first of its kind. To complement the symphonies the set also includes three famous overtures as make-weights: Die geschöpfe des Prometheus, Coriolan, and Egmont. Each is well performed and are a nice addition to the symphonies. FINALLY To sum up, the First and Second are genuine delights to hear; the Third comes off as powerful albeit a little unemotional; the Fourth is a little ordinary but still fine; the Fifth is exceedingly... Read review

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