BaL 19.09.15 - Beethoven: Symphony no. 4 in B flat

**umslopogaas** · 11-09-15, 12:48

I have nine versions of this symphony on LP - Jochum (two), Walter, Ansermet, Dorati, Schmidt-Isserstsedt, Solti, Karajan, Klemperer - and one - Furtwangler - on CD and am not in the market for any more. I wish BAL would concentrate on less mainstream stuff, surely anyone who is interested in classical music will have multiple recordings of Beethoven's symphonies?

**Roehre** · 11-09-15, 12:59

Originally posted by umslopogaas View Post

I have nine versions of this symphony on LP - Jochum (two), Walter, Ansermet, Dorati, Schmidt-Isserstsedt, Solti, Karajan, Klemperer - and one - Furtwangler - on CD and am not in the market for any more. I wish BAL would concentrate on less mainstream stuff, surely anyone who is interested in classical music will have multiple recordings of Beethoven's symphonies?

My two are multiple, undeniably so

**verismissimo** · 11-09-15, 13:06

Originally posted by Roehre View Post

My two are multiple, undeniably so

So which do you prefer, Roehre? And why the excess baggage?

**Roehre** · 11-09-15, 13:09

Originally posted by verismissimo View Post

So which do you prefer, Roehre? And why the excess baggage?

I prefer Krivine and Brüggen for the HIP and Böhm/VPO for the "big band" approach.
Only the two latter are on my shelves, Böhm as a 1977 LP.

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 11-09-15, 15:29

Originally posted by umslopogaas View Post

I wish BAL would concentrate on less mainstream stuff, surely anyone who is interested in classical music will have multiple recordings of Beethoven's symphonies?

Well, there will be some who are almost literally "building (up) a library" for whom Beethoven #4 isn't yet "mainstream".

For the rest of us, it'll just be the usual fun disagreeing with the reviewer's idiotic choices - so win-win!

For me - top choice Krivine (joy, impudence and life-energy in abundance).
"Historic"/"old-style" = Klemperer/PO (one of his very best recordings - and, in the Finale, the first recording of a Beethoven symphony that had me laughing out loud at Beethoven's humour - back in 1977.)

But, it's Rob Cowan, so Krivine won't feature - nir will Karajan, probably, except as a sideline to use up the Cowan library of clichés - "smooth, suave, lacking rhythmic vigour" etc etc

**jayne lee wilson** · 11-09-15, 17:02

"Fond as I am of Bruggen, Harnoncourt, JEG, Mackerras, Zinman, Paavo Jarvi, Vanska, I'm inclined to place this new cycle fairly near the top of the pile, principally because it has such strong character. If you know someone yet to discover this greatest of all symphonic cycles, you could hardly do better than give them this as a gift. It could set them up for life."

ROB COWAN, REVIEWING EMMANUEL KRIVINE'S COMPLETE BEETHOVEN CYCLE, GRAMOPHONE 7/2011.

**Jonathan** · 11-09-15, 17:32

I'd also point out that the Liszt transcription has also been recorded by Leslie Howard and Cyprien Katsaris (and maybe Jean Bernard Pommier as well, need to check!)

**richardfinegold** · 11-09-15, 17:33

I'm surprised that no one has evoked the "slim Norse Maiden flanked by two brawny behemoths" analogy that is routinely trotted out for this work and the 4th PC.
I've never heard a recording of 4 that I didn't like. Szell/Cleveland is my favorite

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 11-09-15, 17:49

Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post

"Fond as I am of Bruggen, Harnoncourt, JEG, Mackerras, Zinman, Paavo Jarvi, Vanska, I'm inclined to place this new cycle fairly near the top of the pile, principally because it has such strong character. If you know someone yet to discover this greatest of all symphonic cycles, you could hardly do better than give them this as a gift. It could set them up for life."

ROB COWAN, REVIEWING EMMANUEL KRIVINE'S COMPLETE BEETHOVEN CYCLE, GRAMOPHONE 7/2011.

My bad!

**Alison** · 11-09-15, 20:47

Shame we don't have Richard Osborne taking on this one.

Rob likes chucking in a little known version: Could it be Bazza Wordsworth ?

**EdgeleyRob** · 11-09-15, 20:52

Originally posted by Roehre View Post

My two are multiple, undeniably so

My one is all on it's self by it's own. (Karajan DG 60s)
Wonder if anyone on here hasn't got any LvB 4s ?

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 11-09-15, 21:12

Originally posted by EdgeleyRob View Post

My one is all on it's self by it's own. (Karajan DG 60s)
Wonder if anyone on here hasn't got any LvB 4s ?

I have VPO/Furtwangler 1952, Columbia SO/Walter, VPO/Schmidt-Isserstedt, VPO/Bohm, BPO/Karajan 1984, Leipzig/Masur. The Walter is my favourite, though I'm ambivalent about works in B flat major; don't ask me why.

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 11-09-15, 21:19

Originally posted by EdgeleyRob View Post

(Karajan DG 60s)

A great performance, Edgey

**Tony Halstead** · 11-09-15, 21:23

I do remember playing on an ECO recording ( CBS /Sony?) at Abbey Road, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, maybe in the early 1980s. At the time, it seemed 'lithe and coherent', and anticipated many of the HIPP practices that were to follow.
Is it no longer available?
We also recorded all the other Beethoven symphonies apart from - inexplicably - the 3rd, which was done by the USA 'Orchestra of St Luke's' conducted by MTT. I must confess, I've always been a bit 'touchy' about this as I was very keen to play those superb, idiomatic horn parts, even on the 'wrong instrument'..( modern valve horn

).

BaL 19.09.15 - Beethoven: Symphony no. 4 in B flat

BaL 19.09.15 - Beethoven: Symphony no. 4 in B flat

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