Beethoven Documentary on BBC 2 Tonight (28th May)

[Albert Gans]

Certainly would agree on Carlos Kleiber (assuming it was Carlos you meant). Among the fourteen or so versions I have, it certainly ranks near the top. At the other extreme in terms of tempo, you will find Klemperer, however, even if I'm not sure what Beethoven would have thought of it, that, too is a great recording.
Tastes differ. And that's fine, it makes it all even more interesting. It would be rather dull if there was only one interpretation that people would like.

[Humoresque]

There cannot be any more happy combination but Gardiner and Beethoven 5. I once saw him give a speech on the link with Cherubini in the Barbican, during a concert he was giving with the 5th. Absolute bliss.

By the way, yesterday evening, I saw Rattle, the Berliner and Krystof Zimerman do an extraordinary PC 4. Brilliant. Mitigates somewhat my not so enthusiastic view of Rattle. He was tops yesterday and my friends and I, together with 1500 or so others in Rotterdam, had a wonderful evening. It also included Dvorak's Slavonic Dances, and that also is amazing to watch: it does require the orchestra to be on the tip of their toes. They are all magic little miniatures, which demand utter concentration of the orchestra, with all the tempi changes, the FFFs and PPPs, the solos, and so on. Another great evening.

"Happy combination" perhaps but Kleiber remains the benchmark Beethoven #5 according to very many critics:

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cul...ral-recordings

Don't also forget Harnoncourt as a great Beethoven #5 interpreter with Chamber Orchestra of Europe. And then of course there's Concentus, I'm not so partial to Gardiner however.

[Albert Gans]

There cannot be any more happy combination but Gardiner and Beethoven 5. I once saw him give a speech on the link with Cherubini in the Barbican, during a concert he was giving with the 5th. Absolute bliss.

By the way, yesterday evening, I saw Rattle, the Berliner and Krystof Zimerman do an extraordinary PC 4. Brilliant. Mitigates somewhat my not so enthusiastic view of Rattle. He was tops yesterday and my friends and I, together with 1500 or so others in Rotterdam, had a wonderful evening. It also included Dvorak's Slavonic Dances, and that also is amazing to watch: it does require the orchestra to be on the tip of their toes. They are all magic little miniatures, which demand utter concentration of the orchestra, with all the tempi changes, the FFFs and PPPs, the solos, and so on. Another great evening.

[Michael]

That was quick! Well worth a look for those who can't get the BBC.

[AeolianHarp]

on you tube

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrr4HcniQT0[/YOUTUBE]

[AeolianHarp]

I was there three months ago but I'm not in the documentary.

Lucky you- would love to go there!

[AeolianHarp]

Yes the first movt is a good tempo, it was the 2nd movt and particularly the trio in the 3rd which I think are just too rushed.

All the tempos sound perfect to me, and as for the period violin- wow, just wow- what a difference!

[Peter]

I'm a few mins in- The opening and 1st mvt sound perfect to me, but then I'm an HIP nut who listens to mostly period performances anyway! I agree with John Eliot on the tempos- play what Beethoven wrote folks! The 5th is meant to hit you in the guts!

Yes the first movt is a good tempo, it was the 2nd movt and particularly the trio in the 3rd which I think are just too rushed.

[AeolianHarp]

Watched the 5th last night - personally I thought the tempi in the 2nd and 3rd movts were too fast, but enjoyed the sound of the period instruments. I'll watch the documentary later this week.

I'm a few mins in- The opening and 1st mvt sound perfect to me, but then I'm an HIP nut who listens to mostly period performances anyway! I agree with John Eliot on the tempos- play what Beethoven wrote folks! The 5th is meant to hit you in the guts!

[AeolianHarp]

Watched the 5th last night - personally I thought the tempi in the 2nd and 3rd movts were too fast, but enjoyed the sound of the period instruments. I'll watch the documentary later this week.

Period instruments you say? Gosh I must watch this tomorrow when having lunch!!

[Peter]

Finally got round to watching the documentary on the 5th - very interesting and worthwhile.

[Michael]

Yes - they positively scampered through the middle movements, but I was glad to see that Gardiner observed the repeat in the scherzo. Due to Beethoven's dithering, nine out of ten performances omit this - and then go on to include the exposition repeat in the finale which leads to a surfeit of C major. This performance was nicely balanced, formally and acoustically.

Someone should have had a word with Beethoven about the scherzo. Honestly, if I'm not there myself .........

[Peter]

Watched the 5th last night - personally I thought the tempi in the 2nd and 3rd movts were too fast, but enjoyed the sound of the period instruments. I'll watch the documentary later this week.

[Michael]

Thanks Michael! It will be nice to see Bonn!

I was there three months ago but I'm not in the documentary.

[AeolianHarp]

Thanks Michael! It will be nice to see Bonn!