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Site review by Polly Nomial October 2, 2006
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
Words of praise are beginning to fail me as this inexhaustable music works its magic once more under the baton of Haitink and the LSO. As in the other symphonies, Haitink's conception is completely of this time & one is tempted to say of all times.
As befits a piece that wears the title "Pastoral", the music making sounds entirely natural and at one with the world. Possibly the first piece of minimalism on show in the first movement gets entirely dedicated playing without a hint of self-concious "rusticity" - everything just *is*. The babbling brook of the second movement is a lyrical, almost Schubertian, song in the hands of the LSO where one can hear the rustle of the leaves and the birdsong as the water floats by on a glorious summers day.
The third part of the symphony (one can see here from where Mahler's structures have evolved) starts with a very merry dance sequence with the stomping of the villagers clearly suggested by the strong and purposely naive writing. In a flash, the mood changes as lightning and thunder roll through the valley and it is played with almost terrifying intensity here before the calm breaks out that concludes in becalmed euphoria. As before, the playing is completely natural in the best sense - there is no gilding nor mock-roughness, just simple honesty. Beautiful.
The second symphony is a very different piece and one might normally suppose that by following a more mature work that it would point to marked inferiority in the compositional strength. Not here - Haitink shows what a complete transformation the symphony has come through since Haydn & Mozart, even though Haydn's structures are very closely mimicked. The Eroica can be heard waiting to burst out of the Haydnesque clothing such is the strength of the playing and the ferocity with which every fortissimo is attacked. Tempi are lithe and the playing is quicksilver with no lack of weight - a truly incredible combination for which the LSO & Haitink cannot be praised highly enough. Just sample the finale to see how physically & emotionally exciting this music can be in a great performance like this one.
The sound is beautiful, yes even for the Barbican, and gives the LSO a wonderful sense of space and clarity although a little more lustre would have been even better.
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Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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Site review by Edvin June 1, 2006
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
I have always been an admirer of Haitink, but to be honest I never ever thought he would deliver this Beethoven. I don´t know what to say...this is so fresh and marvellous, and thought out.
Symphony no 2. First movement full of vitality and dynamic gradings. Timpani, hard sticks as throughout. Reminds me of the terrasses I saw in Japan, the total control and also the immense love for the music. What I have heard so far in this series is drenched in "con amore".
The slow movement is a continuous song, a melodic line. Slightly pre-reminding of (what´s the English expression?) the Pastoral. Haitink phrases the movement with an eloquent restraint, the secrets are not let out before time. Perfect.
The rest is marvellously played with the conductor´s good taste and no need to shout: Here I am. The music unfolds in a magical way with the LSO as the right hand extension of maestro Haitink.
The Pastorale. I am not fond of the sleepy Böhm version, I much prefer the sleek Karajan interpretation. Haitink is tempo-wise in between the two. But he is much more dramatic than either, oh dear. This is a living Pastorale, an organic piece. No eccentric tempos, just a natural flow. Timpani hitting hard and an incredibly dramatic storm, wow. There is also a lightness and, at times almost a balletic feeling in the midst of the rural festivities. Great.
I must say that it is Haitink´s feeling for tempos and dynamics that impresses me most. He really has thought hard and seriously about how to play Beethoven and it has payed off! This is, so far, the most satisfying of Beethoven symphony cycles ever, and if it continues in this way we have a classic set on our hands. Haitink´s view of the whole is masterful.
The sound is great with some air and a dynamic range to dream of. Listen to the storm section and be converted! The only thing that I find negative is the design. Oh dear, this is so ugly, so old fashioned and shallow.
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Copyright © 2006 Thomas Roth and SA-CD.net
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