BaL 12.10.24 - Beethoven: Symphony 4

[Wolfram]

Just listened to Paul Kletzki and the Czech Phil. This was the first Beethoven 4 I owned on LP, bought from the old Dillons on the corner of Gower Street some time in the 70s. Very engaging performance with woodwinds given a forward balance, very much in the manner of Klemperer. Lots of detail in a what is a very open recording, particularly considering its 1965 vintage. Liked this a lot on rehearing. Doubt that it will figure among Richard Wigmore’s selection though.

[akiralx]

My favourite Beethoven 4, for many years now, has been Karajan's 1962 recording on DG.

HvK said that the Fourth was the hardest Beethoven symphony to bring off successfully.

[silvestrione]

HvK said that the Fourth was the hardest Beethoven symphony to bring off successfully.

A matter of balancing the four movements, making a whole, whereas the third, fifth and ninth, to go no further, have a clear trajectory, journey, and cumulative power?

[Barbirollians]

Just listened to Paul Kletzki and the Czech Phil. This was the first Beethoven 4 I owned on LP, bought from the old Dillons on the corner of Gower Street some time in the 70s. Very engaging performance with woodwinds given a forward balance, very much in the manner of Klemperer. Lots of detail in a what is a very open recording, particularly considering its 1965 vintage. Liked this a lot on rehearing. Doubt that it will figure among Richard Wigmore’s selection though.

Its a great underrated set of the symphonies - like them all but 1,2,4,6, and 9 in particular.

[Barbirollians]

Rob Cowan chose Zinman in 2015 hope something much better this time.

[Pulcinella]

Rob Cowan chose Zinman in 2015 hope something much better this time.

Following the Brahms 1 example, I'm expecting a full set to be recommended, with number 4 not available separately (other than by streaming, of course).

[richardfinegold]

I personally highly value the air of mystery that pervades the introduction. Some conductors seem impatient with it and some perhaps linger a bit to portentously. I think this is one area where modern instruments might have an advantage, in that they strings can sustain the sound longer if desired. Some HIPP recordings in this part remind me of a lawn mower running out of gas

[silvestrione]

I personally highly value the air of mystery that pervades the introduction. Some conductors seem impatient with it and some perhaps linger a bit to portentously. I think this is one area where modern instruments might have an advantage, in that they strings can sustain the sound longer if desired. Some HIPP recordings in this part remind me of a lawn mower running out of gas

Yes indeed, a marvellous start to the work. Did Lutoslawski have it in mind I wonder, in his Third, where a mysterious 'nothing much is happening' intro passage emerges into the first movement.

[smittims]

If I don't hear the bottom B flat on the horn at the start I give up.

[Barbirollians]

We had a Summer BAl started by Alison in 2013 see thread - 1962 Karajan did well there too.

[richardfinegold]

Listening currently to HvK/BPO sixties studio recording. The second movement is pure magic-I just love the way these melodies sing, how they move from clarinet to flute and onward…I tend to think as Beethoven’s symphonies as driven by their rhythmic motifs, such as the famous 4 note opening of the Fifth. In the Andante of the Fourth Beethoven the melodist comes to the fore. Just lovely

[Pulcinella]

We had a Summer BAl started by Alison in 2013 see thread - 1962 Karajan did well there too.

Here's a link to the Summer BaL:

https://www.for3.org/forums/forum/classical-forum/record-review/our-summer-bal/8225-our-summer-bal-no-22-beethoven-s-fourth-symphony

[silvestrione]

Listening currently to HvK/BPO sixties studio recording. The second movement is pure magic-I just love the way these melodies sing, how they move from clarinet to flute and onward…I tend to think as Beethoven’s symphonies as driven by their rhythmic motifs, such as the famous 4 note opening of the Fifth. In the Andante of the Fourth Beethoven the melodist comes to the fore. Just lovely

Absolutely right of course, but the opening rhythmic motif, of the slow movement, is there all the way through also.

[richardfinegold]

Absolutely right of course, but the opening rhythmic motif, of the slow movement, is there all the way through also.

Yes it is. I particularly like the way that tympani subtly provide rhythmic reinforcement toward the end of the movement

[Darloboy]

Rob Cowan chose Zinman in 2015 hope something much better this time.

He also recommended Bruggen's 2011 recording as a period version - the majority of critics prefer Bruggen's earlier version.