BaL 18.01.20 - Beethoven: Symphony no. 1 in C, Op.21

[Nick Armstrong]

... a pretty fair statement of the choices available, as far as I can see

Incorrigible, vinteuil, incorrigible

“...putting all such thoughts from your mind, you are now to retire - as indeed should I - you are now to retire, carefully to consider your verdict of "Not Guilty"”

[vinteuil]

Hmm. But what about the Little Orchestra of London (with Leslie Jones at the helm)? I remember that a very real breath of fresh air when it came out. Modern instruments but by no means a "bloated symphony orchestra".

... fair point. I have recently been enjoying Peter Stangel's pocket orchestra versions -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078X9H8F6

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[Bryn]

... fair point. I have recently been enjoying Peter Stangel's pocket orchestra versions -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078X9H8F6

.

By the way, I note the Little Orchestra of London/Leslie Jones recording is not only available as a download. Presto Classical have the CDs listed at a lower price than either their mp3 or FLAC offerings.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8646145--leslie-jones-the-little-orchestra-of-london-vol-ii

The lossless download version os even cheaper from QOBUS, https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/le.../x37gqgc3a1nmc

[seabright]

By the way, I note the Little Orchestra of London/Leslie Jones recording is not only available as a download. Presto Classical have the CDs listed at a lower price than either their mp3 or FLAC offerings.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8646145--leslie-jones-the-little-orchestra-of-london-vol-ii

The lossless download version os even cheaper from QOBUS, https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/le.../x37gqgc3a1nmc

For quick audition purposes, the Leslie Jones Beethoven 1 & 8 performances are both on YouTube but uploaded in separate movements ... Here is the 1st mvt of No. 1 from a 'Heritage' release entitled "The Leslie Jones Collection Volume II" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X6fZWb516I

2nd mvt ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we3GW4rFAjs

3rd mvt ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjGEJY3D254

4th mvt ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEKP8n3yJ_Y

All very civilised!

[Barbirollians]

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... a pretty fair statement of the choices available, as far as I can see




.

Or perhaps is it best performed by scratchy old instruments in ensembles conducted by second rate conductors or by great conductors on instruments that sound much better

Both would be equally stupid statements

[Tony Halstead]

HIPP = Historically Informed Performance Practice. It can, as in the case of the SWR/Norrington Beethoven Symphonies survey, relate to performances utilising modern, beefed-up instruments, though not, of course, to the degree achievable with instruments reflecting the construction of those available at the time the works were composed, i.e. those for which they were written. As Norrington points out, the SWR performance of the 9th corrects his misreading of the final movement of the 9th as found in the LCP recordings (both those on CD and as televised).

Oh dear oh dear.... I played on that LVB 9 LCP recording; what exactly was the misreading that was corrected? The tempo of the Trio maybe, or the tempo of the March in the 4th mvt?

[Bryn]

Oh dear oh dear.... I played on that LVB 9 LCP recording; what exactly was the misreading that was corrected? The tempo of the Trio maybe, or the tempo of the March in the 4th mvt?

I can't find the reference right now but it appears not to be, as I mistakenly recalled, in the notes for the SWR recording. However, as I recall, it was the tempo for the march which he said he got wrong in the LCP performances. For my part, I continue to enjoy the LCP recording issued by EMI, questionably slow march tempo and all.

[richardfinegold]

Well that's a strange choice of words..
...."nobody.. better etc" - comment on German Radio Recordings back to the 1950s...(Production/engineering for Rosbaud etc)...

"claiming to be HIPP with modern instruments".....

I prefer to listen to the musical result rather than scrutinise any rubric or credo.... which, in the SWR/RN Beethoven Cycle, is self-evidently outstanding.
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Well said

[BBMmk2]

I have Abbado, Karajan(1962), and Harnoncourt, with CoE. All most excellent.

[John Wright]

What a list you have put together Alpine
There are two to add, from my modest collection, ECO - Tilson Thomas, Schuricht - Paris Conservatoire, charity shop both and I can't remember ever playing

[Bryn]

What a list you have put together Alpine
There are two to add, from my modest collection, ECO - Tilson Thomas, Schuricht - Paris Conservatoire, charity shop both and I can't remember ever playing

Indeed. There is a Warner Icon box with all the PCO/Schuricht Beethoven Symphonies + 3 of Bruckner's.



The 5th and the final movement of the 9th were on the first LP of these works I heard. I would have been around 8 years old at the time. My father bought just that one HMV disc, so I did not get to hear the first three movements of the 9th until a year or so later. I bought the CD set a few years ago (nostalgia).

[pastoralguy]

I wonder if anyone here remembers 'Ludwig', the BBC teatime slot before the 6 0'clock News, that was a strange egg shaped machine who seemed to stick its nose into various situations. I'm sure the final movement of Symphony 1 was used as well as the Minuet and Trio from the Op.20 Septet.

That was my introduction to Beethoven 1!

[John Wright]

I remember it well, and was certainly my intro to the Septet. Here's an episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vEyTK3LjM

[pastoralguy]

I remember it well, and was certainly my intro to the Septet. Here's an episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vEyTK3LjM

[John Wright]

and here's all the episodes, really should have music credits - so,who can identify all the music in the episode here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7vEyTK3LjM