Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

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CD Details

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Edition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2006-11-14
Music Label: Lso Live UK
Soundtracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Andante Con Moto
Allegro
Allegro
Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
Andante Cantabile Con Moto
Menuetto & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace
Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace

Music reviews of Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Music Review: Exciting, memorable Beethoven
Rating: 5 Stars

While one reviewer found this recording unexciting, I found it to be full of life and vigor. Haitink and the LSO bring lots of punch to these great symphonies. Another reviewer was bugged by the sound quality. I didn't find anything at all distracting about the sound quality - in fact, I thought it was astounding for a live recording.

To start off this recording, we hear the very first of Beethoven's 9 Symphonies. Haitink's approach is one full of period awareness. The first movement comes across light and airy. The LSO shines, giving invigorating accents without ever sounding even slightly harsh. The 2nd movement is full of grace and charm; Haitink and the LSO deliver wonderful Mozartian beauty and lyricism. The 3rd movement is full of fun. This is young Beethoven, and while he doesn't have his later maturity, there is something extremely catchy about his early movements. Haitink obviously realizes this and gives an appropriately youthful reading. And then comes the finale, with its brilliantly witty beginning. The whole of the movement, thanks to Haitink, is full of humor and good spirits - it will inevitably thrill the listener.

Following the 1st Symphony, we hear the 5th. Practically everybody will recognize the ever-famous "fate knocking at the door" theme. How does Haitink do in delivering it? Marvelously. The music is catchy, full of pomp and power; it's stern and nearly scary. There is practically no way the listener could listen to this without feeling great excitement and thrill. The following movement, Andante con moto, is a bit of a sight of relief after that frightful Allegro con brio. But there's still some stress in the background. Haitink does an absolutely fantastic job of bringing this out. It is soothing, but you can still feel some tension. The tension certainly doesn't leave in the 3rd movement. The "fate knocking against the door" motif comes back, reminding the listener of approaching storm clouds. The trio, in triumphant C, comes across marvelously, thanks to the superb LSO bassists. This leads directly into the gloriously victorious finale. All the tension melts away as those freeing chords speak a message of victory. Haitink makes the victory march incredibly memorable. The timpani is loud and clear, making it almost impossible to sit still while listening to this. The Symphony comes to a close with sheer exhilaration.

Needless to say, I am extremely enthusiastic about this recording and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Just one little tip for those of you who, like me, want to take advantage of music deals: the mp3 version of the COMPLETE set of the Haitink Beethoven Symphonies is only 15 bucks. The entire set is fascinating and you might as well get the whole thing. Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 [Special Edition] [Hybrid SACD] [Box Set]

More Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 free music reviews:
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Description of Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Beethoven again raised the expressive force of the symphony with the Fifth and introduced a theatrical element to it. Beginning with the most famous phrase in classical music and one of the most joyous, uplifting movements as a finale it is an exhilarating experience.

Beethoven didn't complete his first symphony until he was almost 30 and it marks the beginning of his remoulding of the Symphony away from the Classical ideals of Haydn.

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