Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

[arthroceph]

Sorry beforehand to anybody whom I may bore the teeth out of.

Let me say I've never been called to programme listening to the 5th Symphony, because it's always around somewhere, so I never actively seek it out.

The other day, the beginning of the second movement crept upon me and as I paced up and down my private beach in Big Sur :-) , and I was sure it was Brahms.

I remembered having heard the first movement on the radio a few days previously, and honestly wondered if all my money had softened my brain so much that when I hear a first movement, it replies with the beginning of the second.

Suffice it to say, that since then, I decided to expend a bit of effort in getting to know it slightly better than I know it already. Anyhow, I wanted to know if anybody also has takenthis active angagement and what interpretations they like and for what reasons.

I myself really like the Fricsay version from 1960 with the BPO available on youtube, but was looking for an especially slow or ponderous version. Like one that Celibidache might record. Comments and insults tinged with jealousy, welcome.

[Thropplenoggin]

Sorry beforehand to anybody whom I may bore the teeth out of.

Let me say I've never been called to programme listening to the 5th Symphony, because it's always around somewhere, so I never actively seek it out.

The other day, the beginning of the second movement crept upon me and as I paced up and down my private beach in Big Sur :-) , and I was sure it was Brahms.

I remembered having heard the first movement on the radio a few days previously, and honestly wondered if all my money had softened my brain so much that when I hear a first movement, it replies with the beginning of the second.

Suffice it to say, that since then, I decided to expend a bit of effort in getting to know it slightly better than I know it already. Anyhow, I wanted to know if anybody also has takenthis active angagement and what interpretations they like and for what reasons.

I myself really like the Fricsay version from 1960 with the BPO available on youtube, but was looking for an especially slow or ponderous version. Like one that Celibidache might record. Comments and insults tinged with jealousy, welcome.

Good topic. I keep hearing Mahler in Brahms, when I suppose it should be vice versa.

I've always enjoyed Carlos Kleiber's very special account with the VPO on DG. I can't help thinking that this discussion would easier sat on that beach of yours.

[jayne lee wilson]

The very latest one I bought is one of the best I've heard:
ORR/Gardiner, live at Carnegie Hall, 18/11/11 on SDG. Very dramatic, sharply articulated and fiery reading, including all the repeats (3 scherzos, 2 trios, 3 Big Bangs in the finale) c/w an even finer 7th. Surprisingly warm, full sound from a hall which can be acoustically recalcitrant. A Great Disc!

Otherwise I favour SWR Stuttgart/Norrington, live 2003 on Hanssler; and despite the lack of repeats Hermann Scherchen's mono RPO one from 1954. Haven't played it for ages but fond recall of O18thC/Bruggen on Philips from 11/91.

[Barbirollians]

Slow and ponderous ? Klemperer's stereo remake ?

[cloughie]

Slow and ponderous ? Klemperer's stereo remake ?

almost 40 mins worth! Surprisingly Celi takes about 4 mins less. Furtwangler and Giulini are not the briskest in the world.

[Parry1912]

I've always enjoyed Carlos Kleiber's very special account with the VPO on DG

+1

I recently (and belatedly) discovered Harnoncourt's COE cycle which contains an excellent 5th. I must also recommend Ashkenazy along with Haitink's 80s account.

For a slow version, I don't think Sanderling rushes through it (his 7th is pretty turgid).

[Barbirollians]

+1

I recently (and belatedly) discovered Harnoncourt's COE cycle which contains an excellent 5th. I must also recommend Ashkenazy along with Haitink's 80s account.

For a slow version, I don't think Sanderling rushes through it (his 7th is pretty turgid).

Do you think so ? I recall after all the ravings about his cycle buying the coupling of No2 and 5 and not being at all impressed . I will dig it out .

[BBMmk2]

HvK's first one wioth the berliner's(1962/3?)
NikolausHarnoncourt, CoE?

[pastoralguy]

I've just bought a new DG version from the Seoul Orchestra under Myung-Whung Chung and it's pretty good, coupled as it is with the 'Emperor' concerto. It's a very good reading but the recording is a bit 'plummy' which tends to obscure detail.

I love the cheapy Zinman version which has fab double basses in the scherzo! I'm quite partial to Herbie's 1977 version with the mighty Berlin Philharmonic too!

[gurnemanz]

I am one of the people (like the BBCMM reviewer) who absolutely loves the Douglas Boyd/Manchester Camerata live version - an invigorating antidote to some more bloated renderings.

[arthroceph]

Many thanks for all the suggestions everybody, you're all invited to my beach ... but bring your own mats for sitting please :-)

[seabright]

I was amused to see in the Letters page of the current Gramophone (July) a reader proclaiming the 100th Anniversary of "the full first-ever complete recording of the Beethoven 5th under Nikisch in 1913". The Gramophone then states that they'll be "marking this important event in the September issue." Oh dear. You'd think they'd know their facts at the Gramophone. The first Beethoven 5th recording, conducted by Friedrich Kark, was in fact made in 1910 and has been readily available on You Tube for nearly a year now. I wonder what the Gramophone will do in September after all? ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjqybFAGGcs