Micky, that disc was basically a compilation of the overture recordings previously isued as fill-up to the Hanover Band's Beethoven symphonies CDs issued between 1984 and 1988. Two conductors are represented, Monica Huggett and Roy Goodman.
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Oh yes, I remember now. And didn't Mary Verney contribute in a couple of the piano concertos? I seem to recall getting concerto No.1 on the original LP - those were heady days for HIP, I remember being really excited at hearing Beethoven for the first time on period instruments. I believe the Hanover Band actually did the symphonies before Norrington or Hogwood. What you have to contend with is that cavernous Nimbus sound - some hate it, I rather like it.Comment
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Indeed, Mary Verney was the soloist in the '1st' and 3rd concertos. I still have those LPs.Comment
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I don't think he recorded all the Beethoven overtures, but van Beinum's performances with the LPO on Decca still sound very impressive - especially his recording of the Consecration of the House, wonderfully paced. I'm not sure how easy it is to get these on CD now unless they are part of a Decca box set.Comment
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The Karajan is very good on the 2 disc DGG Galeria set that I possess: recorded in 2 spells at the Jesus Christus Kirche which slightly shows in that the later one has a marginally softer sound and slightly less energy in the performance/interpretation. Don't let that put you off though: the complete overtures (inc the 3 Leonoras and Fidelio) are relatively early recordings and have none of the later sound and interpretative sheen in evidence. If you own the early complete symphonies on DG you won't be disappointed.Comment
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Some excellent transfers for download here - all out of copyright.Originally posted by aeolium View Post
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I have the Bavarian RSO set of the overtures with Sir Colin Davis, buy maybe it's deleted. The problem when you have a large collection made over a long time is that it's difficult to keep tabs on what's still in circulation.Comment
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There is an interesting CD of Beethoven overtures in the Brilliant Classics complete works boxes. It has the Minnesota Orchestra under Stanislav Skrowaczewski and the Consecration of the House overture is supplemented by the other new music Beethoven wrote for the event, "Wo sich die Pulse" WoO 98, with Phyllis Bryn-Julson as the soprano soloist. That recording is also to be found on a VOX double CD album, but at a much higher pro-rata price than the CDs in the Brilliant Classics boxes.Comment
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Masur for me too.Comment
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Well, that was interesting, I went to check my LPs to see what versions of the Beethoven overtures I've got and found one I've never otherwise heard of: 'Zur Namensfeier' ('Nameday') Op.115. The sleeve note (on an early stereo Philips, SABL 202) says: 'The Grand Overture in C, derives its title Namensfeier from a note on the autograph which says "in the first vintage month, 1814, on the Emperor's name day."' The orchestra is the Concertgebouw, cond. Jochum. Turns out its not so obscure, the Penguin Guide lists a couple of recordings.
Back in the glory days of vinyl the major players included Klemperer, Jochum, Schmidt-Isserstedt, Ansermet, with occasional contributions from Kempe, Previn, Menuhin, Giulini, Leinsdorf, Mehta, Szell, Dorati. I would have thought Klemperer was essential. However (apologies if I've posted this thought before), I reckon that while you should always hear what Klemperer has to say, because he is a unique voice, you should never only hear him, he does take a very individual course. He recorded all the symphonies and as someone pointed out, the overtures were used as fillers whenever there was room to squeeze one in. Columbia also gathered the three Leonoras and Fidelio together on a separate Klemperer disc.Comment
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The Nameday overture is Beethoven's only concert overture i.e. not meant to open a staged work (opera, a ballet or incidental music).Originally posted by umslopogaas View PostComment
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Roehre, what about 'Consecration of the House' is, I think, a concert piece and what could be termed an Occasion Piece?Comment
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The Consecration of the House overture is a strange case. It was written, along with a vocal setting, Wo sich die Pulse WoO 98, to replace The Ruins of Athens overture as part of a suite to be used for the opening of Vienna's Theater in der Josefstadt. So it was indeed a piece d'occasion, but in a theatrical context.Comment
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Though not exhaustive I've always enjoyed this recording:-
Composer/Artist Beethoven, Ludwig van
Title Overtures
Label RCA Classics, 1986
Publisher's No. 74321212812
Series Classical navigator, 29: Viennese classicism
Notes/Performers Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by E Jochum
Contents Contains: Egmont, The ruins of Athens, Prometheus, Coriolan, Fidelio, Leonore No. 1 and No. 3
Record Number W000003651
Category ORCHESTRAL
Best Wishes,
Tevot
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It even goes a bit further.Originally posted by Bryn View Post
As the text for Die Weihe des Hauses had to be adapted to the music of Die Ruinen von Athen, including the completely new choral piece Wo sich die Pulse WoO 98 as mentioned by Bryn, the great march with chorus in the Ruins (op.113 no.6, NOT the turkisch march!) underwent two or three very slight changes in the music (without a score you won't discover them). Nevertheless it was published separately as well as opus 114.
In the Kinsky-Halm you'll find the incidental music to Die Ruinen as opus 113, and to Die Weihe as opus 114 + opus 124 + WoO 98
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