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

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

He/they take/s different approaches to repeats in the YouTube performances.

Yes - the absence of repeats in some of the videos was what put me off sampling the others. No such problems here - all repeats carefully, lovingly and Musically observed.


(And the way they bring out both the dancing and songlike elements of the Music - and that Figaroesque fizzing finale. Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!)

[Petrushka]

I have more Beethoven 4's than you can shake a stick at but my default version is the 1960s BPO/Karajan. Quite apart from anything else, one can really appreciate Beethoven's use of the timpani in this recording.

This symphony was on the programme of my very first classical concert (RPO/Kempe, 1972) so it has a special place for me.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I defy anyone to watch at least the whole first movement without pleasure!

Oh - a great deal of pleasure, many thanks, Cali. I can think of no other composer that I would contemplate listening to two performances of the same large-scale work in sequence and derive so much pleasure, satisfaction and astonishment. Fantastic work - and for all their differences, what the two Konductors have in common is their joy in making this joyful Music with other excellent Musicians.

Doesn't get any better than that Concertgebouw performance, just different.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes - the absence of repeats in some of the videos was what put me off sampling the others. No such problems here - all repeats carefully, lovingly and Musically observed.

I would say musically observed.

[teamsaint]

I would say musically observed.

Whats wrong with B flat Major anyway?
For one thing,it's of the easier scales to play ( edit: on the piano)

i think I shall start a " favourite works in B flat major " thread .

( I am assuming that you do know about The Spring Symphony.....)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Whats wrong with B flat Major anyway?
For one thing,it's of the easier scales to play

i think I shall start a " favourite works in B flat major " thread .

( I am assuming that you do know about The Spring Symphony.....)

Don't mind me, but I'm not that keen on many famous works in that key:
Bach: Brandenburg 6
Mozart: Piano Concerto 27
Haydn: Symphony 102
Beethoven: Piano Concerto no. 2; Symphony 4; Hammerklavier Sonata
Schumann: Spring Symphony

However, Brahms's Piano Concerto no. 2 is an exception.

Could it be because I became bored with hearing youth bands playing in the key for most of the time?
Or it is because I became disillusioned with piano playing when I first encountered the key, back in 1959?

[Pulcinella]

Whats wrong with B flat Major anyway?
For one thing,it's of the easier scales to play ( edit: on the piano)

Really?
You don't start with your thumb (right hand) and I always found that tricky!
:-)

[teamsaint]

Really?
You don't start with your thumb (right hand) and I always found that tricky!
:-)

I always found it easy starting on second and thumb underneath for C. Maybe just suited my idiosyncratic style !!
Left hand is a doddle too.

(Sorry , off topic obviously).

[verismissimo]

Working my way through the LP recordings I have of this symphony (my CD player being indisposed), greatly enjoy the VPO with Schmidt-Isserstedt from 1967. All so right-sounding, full of life! I've always enjoyed that cycle - only available by download now, it seems.

[peterkin]

I have,and very much enjoy,Haitink/LSO Live

[visualnickmos]

Working my way through the LP recordings I have of this symphony (my CD player being indisposed), greatly enjoy the VPO with Schmidt-Isserstedt from 1967. All so right-sounding, full of life! I've always enjoyed that cycle - only available by download now, it seems.

Hope your CD player 'gets well soon'

...and yes - this is a fabulous cycle; also with the piano concertos, violin concerto and the usual overture fillers. Hens teeth syndrome, nowadays I expect.

[Bryn]

Hope your CD player 'gets well soon'

...and yes - this is a fabulous cycle; also with the piano concertos, violin concerto and the usual overture fillers. Hens teeth syndrome, nowadays I expect.

The HS-I recordings of 2, 4 and 9 are in the Decca VPO box.

Also, all nine symphonies are available as lossless downloads for £11.56 from QOBUZ.

Hmm. The set with the Symphonies and Concertos is also on QOBUZ, at a rather inflated price. Bit naughty of Decca to only mention the VPO on the front of the box. The orchestra for the Violin Concerto is the LSO.

Ah, the Backhaus/VPO/ HS-I concertos are also in this box.

[visualnickmos]

The HS-I recordings of 2, 4 and 9 are in the Decca VPO box.

I guess for anyone who doesn't have the HS-I cycle, it's good value. I was fortunate to stumble across the HS-I set some years ago in a second-hand video and CD shop. I must have been nuts, as I hesitated(!) for 5 days, then went back expecting the worst. But it was still perched on the shelf, and with the price even more reduced......

I still haven't listened to the 9th..... why? I don't know..... one evening this week, I must.

[rauschwerk]

Thought I'd re-visit Toscanini and the BBCSO in 1939. Norra lorra laughs there, I fear. Just as in his later recordings - hard-driven and beetle-browed.

I disagree. One's impression is unavoidably affected by the recording quality, which naturally is pretty rough compared with (say) Karajan in 1962 (I find that a bit of mid-range cut improves the 1983 EMI remastering somewhat). But the finale tempo is certainly not rushed compared with other versions I have (RLPO/Mackerras, LCP/Norrington as well as the aforementioned HvK).

[richardfinegold]

I have more Beethoven 4's than you can shake a stick at but my default version is the 1960s BPO/Karajan. Quite apart from anything else, one can really appreciate Beethoven's use of the timpani in this recording.

This symphony was on the programme of my very first classical concert (RPO/Kempe, 1972) so it has a special place for me.

That is one of my favorite Karajan recordings and a real highlight of that set