BaL 12.10.24 - Beethoven: Symphony 4

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Wolfram
    Full Member
    • Jul 2019
    • 273

    #16
    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.

    Comment

    • akiralx
      Full Member
      • Oct 2011
      • 427

      #17
      Originally posted by Petrushka View Post
      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.

      Comment

      • silvestrione
        Full Member
        • Jan 2011
        • 1707

        #18
        Originally posted by akiralx View Post

        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?

        Comment

        • Barbirollians
          Full Member
          • Nov 2010
          • 11680

          #19
          Originally posted by Wolfram View Post
          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.

          Comment

          • Barbirollians
            Full Member
            • Nov 2010
            • 11680

            #20
            Rob Cowan chose Zinman in 2015 hope something much better this time.

            Comment

            • Pulcinella
              Host
              • Feb 2014
              • 10921

              #21
              Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post
              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).

              Comment

              • richardfinegold
                Full Member
                • Sep 2012
                • 7666

                #22
                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

                Comment

                • silvestrione
                  Full Member
                  • Jan 2011
                  • 1707

                  #23
                  Originally posted by richardfinegold View Post
                  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.

                  Comment

                  • smittims
                    Full Member
                    • Aug 2022
                    • 4141

                    #24
                    If I don't hear the bottom B flat on the horn at the start I give up.

                    Comment

                    • Barbirollians
                      Full Member
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 11680

                      #25
                      We had a Summer BAl started by Alison in 2013 see thread - 1962 Karajan did well there too.

                      Comment

                      • richardfinegold
                        Full Member
                        • Sep 2012
                        • 7666

                        #26
                        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

                        Comment

                        • Pulcinella
                          Host
                          • Feb 2014
                          • 10921

                          #27
                          Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post
                          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:


                          Comment

                          • silvestrione
                            Full Member
                            • Jan 2011
                            • 1707

                            #28
                            Originally posted by richardfinegold View Post
                            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.

                            Comment

                            • richardfinegold
                              Full Member
                              • Sep 2012
                              • 7666

                              #29
                              Originally posted by silvestrione View Post

                              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

                              Comment

                              • Darloboy
                                Full Member
                                • Jun 2019
                                • 324

                                #30
                                Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post
                                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.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X