Prom 1 - 14.07.17: First Night of the Proms

[Barbirollians]

It seems that the Beethoven 3 is the first performance of the Proms on which forumites differ . I didn't like it at all . The music is quite fiery enough without exaggerated effects.

[jayne lee wilson]

It seems that the Beethoven 3 is the first performance of the Proms on which forumites differ . I didn't like it at all . The music is quite fiery enough without exaggerated effects.

But you picked up on the inter-movement contrasts? As if to say: why limit yourself to one interpretative approach? TRULY creative....(v. #85)

Afterward, I sought out the Harmonium via the indispensable Qobuz HiFi... Adams' own recording (c/w the Klinghoffer Choruses - music & politics again!) is superior to de Waart's, fresher and more dynamic, more spacious and atmospheric. Despite my aural-choral sensitivities I'm really coming to love the piece now, after all this time...I'm beginning to perceive Adams' insights into the Dickinson texts, but still feel the Donne poem is impossibly complex to be revealingly set, much though I admire the beautiful, resulting creation.....
I'll try the Robert Shaw/Telarc later...

[edashtav]

But you picked up on the inter-movement contrasts? As if to say: why limit yourself to one interpretative approach? TRULY creative....(v. #85)

Afterward, I sought out the Harmonium via the indispensable Qobuz HiFi... Despite my aural-choral sensitivities I'm really coming to love the piece now, after all this time...I'm beginning to perceive Adams' insights into the Dickinson texts, but still feel the Donne poem is impossibly complex to be revealingly set, much though I admire the beautiful, resulting creation.....
I'll try the Robert Shaw/Telarc later...

Your fairness and intellectual honesty make your beautifully composed contributions stimulating and invaluable, Jayne!

[Barbirollians]

But you picked up on the inter-movement contrasts? As if to say: why limit yourself to one interpretative approach? TRULY creative....(v. #85)

Afterward, I sought out the Harmonium via the indispensable Qobuz HiFi... Adams' own recording (c/w the Klinghoffer Choruses - music & politics again!) is superior to de Waart's, fresher and more dynamic, more spacious and atmospheric. Despite my aural-choral sensitivities I'm really coming to love the piece now, after all this time...I'm beginning to perceive Adams' insights into the Dickinson texts, but still feel the Donne poem is impossibly complex to be revealingly set, much though I admire the beautiful, resulting creation.....
I'll try the Robert Shaw/Telarc later...

Yes but I found the contrasts exaggerated and they made the piece seem less of a whole and I found the finale very over the top . I don't think I can accept the idea of being open to only one approach I have and love numerous recordings of Beethoven 3 from Argerich to Uchida via Solomon A Fischer,Katchen, Gilels , Barenboim ,Fleisher, Kovacevich , Lill and Brendel .

I just did not like the hard driven over emphatic approach coupled with a rather superficial sounding slow movement .

[oddoneout]

It seems that the Beethoven 3 is the first performance of the Proms on which forumites differ . I didn't like it at all . The music is quite fiery enough without exaggerated effects.

I didn't like it either,rather too many 'aural snags' in terms of tempi, rhythm,dynamics for my liking - but reading the comments it seems those are what appealed to other listeners. For me, it didn't 'flow'. In fairness I should acknowledge that my sound system is not up to the demands made of it by this performance and that also this soloist is not one I particularly favour. A useful exercise none the less for helping to refine what I do like/would prefer to hear in this work.