Schubert’s 4th Symphony: Advice please

[Bryn]

The Hanover Band's Beethoven cycle was of course recorded at Tooting as well. As was a fascinating 2 CD set called 'Beethoven and the Royal Philharmonic', a reconstructed concert of works by different composers. The highlight for me is their rendition of the overture to "Anacréon" by Cherubini - the acoustic of the church is used to great effect with the earthy, rasping sounds of the Hanover Band brass. A pity it no longer seems to be available.

It was these Nimbus ambisonic recordings which eventually led to my investing in a RØDE NT-SF1 Ambisonic Microphone recently. Now all I have to do is learn how to best employ it and prepare recordings made with it for reproduction.

[jayne lee wilson]

The Hanover Band's Beethoven cycle was of course recorded at Tooting as well. As was a fascinating 2 CD set called 'Beethoven and the Royal Philharmonic', a reconstructed concert of works by different composers. The highlight for me is their rendition of the overture to "Anacréon" by Cherubini - the acoustic of the church is used to great effect with the earthy, rasping sounds of the Hanover Band brass. A pity it no longer seems to be available.

I guess it's this one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-Philharmonic-CHERUBINI-Luigi/dp/B002VCHAUI/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1549657336&sr=8-8

[Bryn]

I guess it's this one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-P...9657336&sr=8-8

Those with compatible equipment linked up to their music playing system might like to try https://www.amazon.co.uk/Surround-Yo...oven+audio+dvd Sounds best in DVD Audio playback, but the audio DVD Video option is not too bad.

[visualnickmos]

I don't really like the idea of "surround" sound. I don't actually think there's much to be gained from feeling as if one is in the midst of the orchestra. I'm guessing that's braodly what surround sound equates to. I prefer to hear the music emanating from a distinct source - ie speakers. I'm probably taking rubbish, so I'll shut up!

[Bryn]

Hmm. Only the very worst surround sound recordings (other than for works such as Stockhausen's Gruppen or Carré), put the listener in the middle of the performers. The recordings on the "Surround Yourself . . . " series aimed to capture the ambience of the recording venue, along with the performance. The Soundfield Microphone cluster was placed at a considerable distance in front of the orchestra for those Beethoven recordings. Though the Soundfield microphone cluster captures the sound in 3D, only two dimensions are presented via the surround DVD Audio.

[MickyD]

I guess it's this one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-P...9657336&sr=8-8

That's the one, Jayne! I see it is going very cheaply second hand - if you don't have it, snap it up, it's worth it just for the "Anacréon" overture!

[Bryn]

That's the one, Jayne! I see it is going very cheaply second hand - if you don't have it, snap it up, it's worth it just for the "Anacréon" overture!

Here's the back illustration, showing the content listing:

[cloughie]

Here's the back illustration, showing the content listing:

What a strange mix!

[alycidon]

As OP I don’t often initiate discussions in the forum, but this one has generated a fair bit of mileage with some very interesting comments - even those that have been slightly off-topic which have also been of interest.

You experts have tended to agree that Schubert’s 4th is not, perhaps, without its imperfections but I suppose what really matters is how it is received in the ears of the listener. Although I am a raving perfectionist in all matters, I am more than happy to enjoy an imperfect work like the 4th, rather than to try to enjoy perfect works such as Beethoven’s piano sonatas very few of which appeal to me.

Incidentally - Tragic? How about the same composer’s Octet? Now that is one piece of music that nearly makes me cry because it is so, so mournful! Thank you all for your replies.

[Darkbloom]

In the early 1960s I purchased a Pelican entitled ‘The Symphony’ where Schubert’s were discussed by William McNaught. Referring to the 4th in C minor he says, and I quote - ‘an analytical note on the fourth symphony has to take the line that it is not a very good work.’

Now, I happen to like this symphony to the extent that if I were only allowed one symphony on my desert island, then this is the one that I would choose. I was therefore highly miffed by his disparaging comments - as I still am. I am not musically trained so I cannot pretend to understand just what he meant and I wondered if someone on this forum could suggest what is so wrong with the work.

I have never understood why Schubert termed it ‘Tragic’ as I find it extremely joyful, and it never fails to lift my spirits. I am currently listening to a performance by Loren Maazel and the Bavarian RSO and my word, does it sparkle?

I have that book as well, and I remember the chapter on Mendelssohn being very dismissive of his First Symphony, which I have always thought a wonderful piece full of vigour and freshness. We attach too much importance to these kinds of printed judgements, which are, after all, no more valid than yours or mine.

[alycidon]

I have that book as well, and I remember the chapter on Mendelssohn being very dismissive of his First Symphony, which I have always thought a wonderful piece full of vigour and freshness. We attach too much importance to these kinds of printed judgements, which are, after all, no more valid than yours or mine.

Thank you for that, and I could not agree more.

[Tony Halstead]

Here's the back illustration, showing the content listing:

Hmmm... not very accurate with the credits, Nimbus! Beethoven 5 was directed from the violin by Monica Huggett, not conducted by Roy Goodman.

[Bryn]

Hmmm... not very accurate with the credits, Nimbus! Beethoven 5 was directed from the violin by Monica Huggett, not conducted by Roy Goodman.

I did wonder about that but hoped it had been re-recorded with RG at the helm. It doesn't help that the above gives a timing of 35'15", the boxed set of all 9 gives 35'13" and the Surround yourself with Beethoven hybrid DVD Audio has 35'22", though the former and latter are correctly credited to Ms. Huggett.

[MickyD]

Hmmm... not very accurate with the credits, Nimbus! Beethoven 5 was directed from the violin by Monica Huggett, not conducted by Roy Goodman.

Tony, I am sure you were playing on the Cherubini overture! Brilliant performance....same goes for the Weber Concertino, I laugh out loud each time I hear you making such fruity noises in it!

[Tony Halstead]

Tony, I am sure you were playing on the Cherubini overture! Brilliant performance....same goes for the Weber Concertino, I laugh out loud each time I hear you making such fruity noises in it!

Very kind of you, MickyD. Yes, 'confession time', I own up to a hands-on (lips on?) involvement in the Cherubini and the Weber, plus the Haydn March and the Minuet from Symphony 94.