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My next offering is Furtwangler....





The opening movement is beautifully crafted; very much a contemplative approach yet it is a very confident one. The Marcia Funebre was very passionate without any hint of it being morose. The last two movements are very assured performances but simple in approach. Furtwangler obviously knew his score intimately and it comes through in every masterful note. I think that it is a really gorgeous performance. The mono recording was made in 1952 and to me it sounds great; one can only imagine how astonishing the same performance would sound if recorded on modern equipment.

Next up is Zinman who I think is always worth a listen....





This is a strong, powerful and confident performance very much in the von Karajan mould. The opening movement is driven but not excessively so thus lending excitement as the movement progresses. The Funeral March strikes a tone that is a mix of solemnity and contemplation. The Scherzo and Finale movements lilt along in the same fashion as the opening movement. The orchestration in this work is very noticeable in this performance which, I suppose, is testament to the quality of the recording.

Paul Kletzki is a conductor that I came to respect a number of years ago to the extent that if I am building up a collection of different versions of any work I would tend to search out if he had anything to offer. Beethoven is no exception so I offer his version of his Eroica from this set....






The opening movement is very lively and is taken at a brisk pace; it is full of exuberance and spirit which I think pays great tribute to Beethoven. As a complete contrast the funeral march is played very deliberately but gently and delicately in the requisite subdued tone but it is never heavy handed. However he does build the movement’s inherent tensions very deliberately and with great emphasis and emotion. The Scherzo is interesting in that it is not over boisterous but it is very well balance and it contains a lovely Trio section. The final movement is also a great exercise in momentum and balance and is more evidence of Kletzki’s great style of conducting.
In summary it is a great version of this work and would lie somewhere between the von Karajan/Zinman and Mackerras interpretations. The sound of the Czech Philharmonic and the fact that it was recorded by Supraphon were also added attractions on this cycle.

fergus wrote:Next up is Zinman who I think is always worth a listen....





This is a strong, powerful and confident performance very much in the von Karajan mould. The opening movement is driven but not excessively so thus lending excitement as the movement progresses. The Funeral March strikes a tone that is a mix of solemnity and contemplation. The Scherzo and Finale movements lilt along in the same fashion as the opening movement. The orchestration in this work is very noticeable in this performance which, I suppose, is testament to the quality of the recording.

I tend to have much the same feelings towards Zinman as I have towards Suzuki: the music is well played, beautifully recorded, it lacks drama and is devoid of a wide range of emotion and depth; it tends to leave me wondering at the end why I bothered. Perhaps I am being very unkind and I should pay more attention to Zinman?

fergus wrote:Paul Kletzki is a conductor that I came to respect a number of years ago to the extent that if I am building up a collection of different versions of any work I would tend to search out if he had anything to offer. Beethoven is no exception so I offer his version of his Eroica from this set....






The opening movement is very lively and is taken at a brisk pace; it is full of exuberance and spirit which I think pays great tribute to Beethoven. As a complete contrast the funeral march is played very deliberately but gently and delicately in the requisite subdued tone but it is never heavy handed. However he does build the movement’s inherent tensions very deliberately and with great emphasis and emotion. The Scherzo is interesting in that it is not over boisterous but it is very well balance and it contains a lovely Trio section. The final movement is also a great exercise in momentum and balance and is more evidence of Kletzki’s great style of conducting.
In summary it is a great version of this work and would lie somewhere between the von Karajan/Zinman and Mackerras interpretations. The sound of the Czech Philharmonic and the fact that it was recorded by Supraphon were also added attractions on this cycle.

I have to confess that I really do admire Kletzki and the CPO are to die for. That looks like a really interesting set, Santa is on his way, hmmmmm!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No 29 & 35
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Claudio Abbado - conducting.

Seán wrote:

fergus wrote:

I tend to have much the same feelings towards Zinman as I have towards Suzuki: the music is well played, beautifully recorded, it lacks drama and is devoid of a wide range of emotion and depth; it tends to leave me wondering at the end why I bothered. Perhaps I am being very unkind and I should pay more attention to Zinman?

I think that you are being just a bit unkind towards Zinman. However, the analogy with Suzuki is an interesting one and I can see where you are going with that one and if that is how you genuinely feel towards Zinman then that is fine. He is also very good with R Strauss but I do not think that will enhance my recommendation of him for you in any way LOL!!

Seán wrote:

fergus wrote:

That cycle comes with an unreserved recommendation Seán; all of the symphonies are universally good performances and for me there is no stand out performance here - they are all very good!

Seán wrote:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No 29 & 35
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Claudio Abbado - conducting.

Wrong thread for that one Seán??

fergus wrote:

Seán wrote:

fergus wrote:

I tend to have much the same feelings towards Zinman as I have towards Suzuki: the music is well played, beautifully recorded, it lacks drama and is devoid of a wide range of emotion and depth; it tends to leave me wondering at the end why I bothered. Perhaps I am being very unkind and I should pay more attention to Zinman?

I think that you are being just a bit unkind towards Zinman. However, the analogy with Suzuki is an interesting one and I can see where you are going with that one and if that is how you genuinely feel towards Zinman then that is fine.

I suppose that I haven't listened to enough of his recordings to be so dismissive of him and his work. I have tended to avoid his recordings, perhaps I am being unkind (about Zinman) I think that Suzuki fits the bill.

He is also very good with R Strauss but I do not think that will enhance my recommendation of him for you in any way LOL!!

Ah that's me Fergus: slow to absorb Strauss. I should get the Kempe recordings and move on from there, there is so much music and so little time.