Beethoven: Syms Nos 6 & 8

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

...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 played and the Finale... 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: Outstanding music on period instruments
Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.

...extensively. The original set was a six boxed set from 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... Read review

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