Error processing SSI file

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (1808) [33’29]

Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68, ‘Pastoral’ (1808) [40’38].

Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra/Sir Roger Norrington.

Rec. live at the Beethovensaal, Liederhalle, Stuttgart, on September 3rd, 2002. DDD

HÄNSSLER FASZINATIONMUSIK CD93.086 [74’15]

CD available for post-free online mail-order or you may download individual tracks. For some labels you can download the entire CD with a single click and make HUGE savings. The price you see is the price you pay! The full booklet notes are available on-line.

NOTE • Click on the button and you can buy the disc or read the booklet details • You can also access each track which you may then sample or down load. • Further Information.


 

Sir Roger Norrington’s recordings of the Beethoven symphonies with the London Classical Players (currently on Virgin Classics 561 943-2) certainly served as a wake-up call in critical circles and forced reappraisal of one’s long-held assumptions about this music. Hänssler are in the process of releasing another traversal spearheaded by this conductor, this time with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, with natural brass mixed with modern strings, and taken from live concerts in Stuttgart’s Beethovensaal. All credit should go to Hänssler’s engineers, for the recording quality is exemplary.

Norrington’s approach may take some getting used to. Take the very opening of the Fifth, probably the most famous opening of anything in all music. Norrington adds a swell to the second held minim, which momentarily disconcerts (Track 1). The whole approach to the first movement is fleet, scampering and often punchy. The problem is that it does not add up to a momentous statement; the music sounds, if not trivialised, certainly a trifle belittled. The interventionist feel encroaches into the Andante con moto, which is relentless and can be rather breathless (certainly the louder brass statements seem this way). The finale, however, is undeniably exciting (if course it includes the repeat) (Track 4), although ironically the adrenalin does not flow as freely as it might in the coda. When the ‘finishing line’ is reached, there is unfortunately no way that this performance gives the impression of having taken one on an heroic and epic journey.

Fast tempos and Roger Norrington go together like strawberries and cream, so it comes as no surprise to learn that the first movement is very brisk indeed (leading, again, to a rather superficial, rushed effect). One has to wait for the third movement for any real delight. Here all is jollity (TRACK 7), and there is some lovely, pointed oboe playing. The finale, however, does not afford much of a sense of relief, it sags in the middle and the result is that the ending sounds curiously incomplete. An immediate, and vociferous, call of ‘Bravo’ from a gentleman in the audience tells me not everyone will agree, however.

Norrington’s thoughts and reappraisals of the core repertoire always present plenty of fodder to chew on. Expect to be surprised, moved and, possibly, irritated.

Colin Clarke


CD Price: £ 11.49 Post-free Air Mail World-wide
- Download Price:
£ 10.41
Buy CD:
Download all tracks:



FREE SOUND SAMPLES
(minimum 30 secs)
Click on the appropriate link. On the next page click on broadband beneath the CD cover

View track details:
CDTnº1
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
Allegro con brio

CDTnº2
Andante con Moto
CDTnº3
Allegro
CDTnº4
Allegro
CDTnº5


Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68
Allegro ma non troppo

CDTnº6
Andante molto moto
CDTnº7
Allegro
CDTnº8
Allegro
CDTnº9
Allegretto




You require QuickTime to listed to samples.

Get a free QuickTime download here



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • You can sample only 30 seconds (or 15% if that is longer) of a given track. Select from the View tracks list. Each sample will normally start from the beginning but you can drag the slider to any position before pressing play. • PLEASE NOTE: If you are behind a firewall and the sound is prematurely terminated you may need to register Ludwig as a trusted source with your firewall software. •You will need Quicktime to hear sound samples. Get a free Quicktime download here • If you cannot see the "Sample All Tracks" button you need to download Flash from here.

Return to Index

Error processing SSI file