Our Summer BAL no. 22: Beethoven's Fourth Symphony

[Andrew Preview]

It's only fair to say that I would not want to be without Immerseel and the Anima Eterna, or both the Brüggen sets, but if I had to limit myself to one HIPP set it would indeed be the Krivine (now again generally available, I think, after the original run quickly sold out).

Thanks very much for the advice. I liked what I heard on an initial listen, apart from the sound being balanced too close. The Immerseel sounds good too - very different! I'll sample some more before buying.

[Dave2002]

Bryn

I still like some of the other more pioneering HIPP recordings of some of the symphonies, e.g Norrington LCP for number 7, and Hogwood for number 3 (and also 7 - but it's different from Norrington LCP). I note your advocacy of Krivine - maybe I should buy that set as well, in case it goes out of circulation again, but then I suppose I need to buy Immerseel, and make sure I have all the Bruggen recordings .....

I don't actually know who I prefer in number 4 - the original topic of this thread. I've always thought Walter CSO was the one to go for, but there could be others I've not explored. How does Abbado do?

[Bryn]

Bryn

I still like some of the other more pioneering HIPP recordings of some of the symphonies, e.g Norrington LCP for number 7, and Hogwood for number 3 (and also 7 - but it's different from Norrington LCP). I note your advocacy of Krivine - maybe I should buy that set as well, in case it goes out of circulation again, but then I suppose I need to buy Immerseel, and make sure I have all the Bruggen recordings .....

I don't actually know who I prefer in number 4 - the original topic of this thread. I've always thought Walter CSO was the one to go for, but there could be others I've not explored. How does Abbado do?

Hmm. Abbado, eh? You have reminded me that I have been meaning to spool my treasured cassette recordings of the Radio 3 FM broadcasts from his LSO days to CD-R. I have not spun the DVDs of the Berlin Phil in Italy for some time. Bit soon after listening to the Krivine CD to play the Abbado DVD tonight. Tomorrow, maybe. Then there's Gielen on DVD too.

[Barbirollians]

I am tempted, re the above box, but may have duplications?

What about Andre Cluytens set?

The Cluytens set is a classic and available for less than a tenner ! Such lovely wind playing in particular throughout - very central performances , the Fourth is fine - the Eroica and Pastoral are particularly good to my ears but you are unlikely to regret getting it .

The 1962 Karajan Fourth is indeed as good as I remembered and as RO's review suggests .

[Dave2002]

I just listened to Harnoncourt with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Very good. Some very innovative and perhaps insightful moments, and generally played with great vigour.

[cloughie]

The Cluytens set is a classic and available for less than a tenner ! Such lovely wind playing in particular throughout - very central performances , the Fourth is fine - the Eroica and Pastoral are particularly good to my ears but you are unlikely to regret getting it .

The 1962 Karajan Fourth is indeed as good as I remembered and as RO's review suggests .

Cluytens' Beethoven is excellent, however I always disliked the way on LP the side break sopped the flow by splitting the 3rd and 4th movements. OK on CD!

[Bryn]

Cluytens' Beethoven is excellent, however I always disliked the way on LP the side break sopped the flow by splitting the 3rd and 4th movements. OK on CD!

A soppy side break it was indeed. However, I seem to recall the CfP re-issue had it all on one side. Long time ago though, so I could be misremembering.

[Sir Velo]

I just listened to Harnoncourt with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Very good. Some very innovative and perhaps insightful moments, and generally played with great vigour.

It's become fashionable to decry Harnoncourt's COE cycle. This performance sparkles with an intensity which is common throughout the vast majority of the set. Hearing it is to feel like some watcher of the skies when a new planet swims into his ken.

[Barbirollians]

It's become fashionable to decry Harnoncourt's COE cycle. This performance sparkles with an intensity which is common throughout the vast majority of the set. Hearing it is to feel like some watcher of the skies when a new planet swims into his ken.

Interesting, it may be a reaction to how in some quarters it seemed to be lauded as the cycle to end all cycles at the time . I have been disappointed with the symphonies I have heard which surprised me as I loved his Missa Solemnis.

[cloughie]

A soppy side break it was indeed. However, I seem to recall the CfP re-issue had it all on one side. Long time ago though, so I could be misremembering.

Seems you were:

http://www.discogs.com/Beethoven-Andr%C3%A9-Cluytens-Berlin-Philharmonic-Orchestra-The-Symphony-No-4-In-B-Flat/release/3085001

I think also that the first CFP issue of the Eroica (CFP203) had the funeral march split over two sides but a later one (CFP40076) had the whole 2nd movt on Side 1. Cluytens, as would be expected with the BPO had very authentically German/Austrian sounding Beethoven contrasting with wonderfully Gallic Ravel with the PCO. I see from wiki that he was the first Frenchman to conduct at Bayreuth.

[cloughie]

Interesting, it may be a reaction to how in some quarters it seemed to be lauded as the cycle to end all cycles at the time . I have been disappointed with the symphonies I have heard which surprised me as I loved his Missa Solemnis.

Sound rather than exciting! That would probably describe other conductor's Beethoven - Haitink?
Apropos of not a lot, I recall the 'battle' in 1974 between CSO/Solti and LGO/Masur - the former with all repeats and for Solti slow tempi cf his VPO 3/5/7. Masur's had the attraction of coupling all the overtures.

[Barbirollians]

Sound rather than exciting! That would probably describe other conductor's Beethoven - Haitink?
Apropos of not a lot, I recall the 'battle' in 1974 between CSO/Solti and LGO/Masur - the former with all repeats and for Solti slow tempi cf his VPO 3/5/7. Masur's had the attraction of coupling all the overtures.

Funny isn't it - few people would put those cycles now near the top of the league - though I do like Masur's Overtures .

[Sir Velo]

An opportunity to audition both the traditional approach and HIPP in tomorrow's CD Review. The programme opens with extracts from the ASMF/Bell and Philharmonia Baroque/McGegan new recordings. Should make for interesting listening.

[richardfinegold]

I love the 4th and I can't really remember hearing a recording of it that I disliked. My favorite is Szell/Cleveland.

[verismissimo]

An opportunity to audition both the traditional approach and HIPP in tomorrow's CD Review. The programme opens with extracts from the ASMF/Bell and Philharmonia Baroque/McGegan new recordings. Should make for interesting listening.

My sense is that current (excellent) ASMF under Bell will be rather closer to HIP than your post would imply, Sir V.