Prom 10 (21.7.12): Beethoven Cycle – Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Saturday 21 July at 7.30 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B flat major (35 mins)
Pierre Boulez: Dialogue de l'ombre double (20 mins)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, 'Eroica' (50 mins)

Jussef Eisa clarinet, Proms debut artist
IRCAM live electronics
West–Eastern Divan Orchestra
Daniel Barenboim conductor

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Beethoven Symphonies are being presented chronologically - except in this concert.

[pilamenon]

The Beethoven Symphonies are being presented chronologically - except in this concert.

A slight pity in my view - since this is a wonderful chance to experience live the evolution of Beethoven's world. Why couldn't they have had No 3 - interval - then the Boulez and No 4?

Though far be it from me to criticise Barenboim's programming after last night's superb opener.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The Beethoven Symphonies are being presented chronologically - except in this concert.

Seven & Eight are being "swapped", too.

Unless LvB wrote #8 Before the Seventh? (And, if so, is this another way that he influenced Schubert? )

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Seven & Eight are being "swapped", too.

You are right, as ever.

And the Eroica seems to be many people's favourite. It's certainly mine, especially with Erich Kleiber.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

You are right, as ever.

And you are as generous as ever!

And the Eroica seems to be many people's favourite. It's certainly mine, especially with Erich Kleiber.

YES! My favourite "traditional/old-style/modern instrument" recording, too!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I wonder whether Barenboim will continue conducting Beethoven with a baton, and Boulez without. I would have thought the opposite would be more logical, with Beethoven being more straightforward rhythmically than Boulez,

[salymap]

I've always preferred the even number symphonies, perhaps being allergic to 'driven' performances of 5,7 and9 by over excited conductors. I'll record them all this year though as it's DB.

[EdgeleyRob]

The Eroica is my favourite too,that and the first 3 movements of no 9 I couldn't live without.

[John Wright]

Though far be it from me to criticise Barenboim's programming ......

Well, if anything could be criticised isn't it the placing of Boulez between the symphonies? Truly awful in my opinion, what is the purpose ?

I expect Barenboim explained why in the interval interview on BBC 4 last night but I skipped that too. I've already heard him speak at length on Beethoven on Sky Arts.

[Pegleg]

Boulez does nothing for me, except wanting to switch to something else, and why am I getting a "Emperor's new clothes” feeling about this PROMS DB Beethoven cycle? The BBC seem to have bought into the whole “Daniel Barenboim’s Beethoven for All 2012 global event” in a major why. I am already growing rather tired of the Hollywood style hype and OTT Tom Service commentary. I find it all distracts from the music.

[Alison]

Thoroughly enjoyable accounts if not for me quite attaining the heights of Friday evening.

4 (i) could have been more propulsive after the unusually tense and expectant introduction.

Just a shade underwhelmed at the end of 3, the fast coda not quite putting the seal on an often
illuminating traversal.


(I didn't hear the Tom Service commentaries and would avoid those at all costs !)

[Barbirollians]

Missed the 4th as out walking in the sunshine on the Suffolk coast ! The Eroica had more zip tonight than on the Cologne recording but I cannot imagine anyone getting close to the VPO/Erich Kleiber at one end of the spectrum or the astonishing live Furtwangler Tahra put out some years back.

[Ariosto]

Well. Tonight's concert. They went out on a huge high last night, and sort of came in on a low tonight. That's what being human is like.

The fourth symphony is a big problem to perform. Not an easy one. It either works or not. Baremboim seemed out of salts, the orchestra had intonation and ensemble problems, and balance problems. They needed a night off. Sometimes for me the tempos seemed too slow. But who am I to criticise. No winks from DB and he looked unhappy. A lack of flow - which this work needs.

The Boulez was interesting and very well played by the clarinetist. The orchestra was too loud!! (Only joking ...)

The Eroica was better, but I felt still not entirely happy. (If you can describe it as happy ...)

I now agree with Bryn about the timps. Soft heads just don't work. Well, that's my opinion in that accoustic.

But as performing creative musicians we have to take a good night followed by a bad night. That is what the creative arts are. We can only get the magic occasionally - it does not just happen. Tomorrow is another day, a chance for re-birth.

[teamsaint]

quick amateur view (based on watching on a telly with awful speakers !).
I also didn't quite get what I wanted from the 4th, a work I love.
Thought the Eroica was excellent.
Just a quick thought on last night, I thought the second mvt of No 1 was especially good.