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Site review by Polly Nomial February 10, 2008
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
This cycle from Herreweghe looks as though it will be issued by Pentatone for all except the 4th and 7th symphonies (which may be found here: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7 - Herreweghe). Unlike the earlier release, the lithe and beautiful textures are too lightweight for the eighth symphony, let alone the titanic fifth.
This is a shame, for the recording is superb and reveals a great myriad of detail that is not usually audible so easily. However, the great climax just before the final part of the coda to the fifth symphony has none of the revolutionary zeal that just oozes from the score - in some ways, it is as though Herreweghe has approached the music as if from the stylistic point of view of early Haydn or Mozart. This might be quite acceptable for a concert that one listens to once only but for repeated listening, quickly becomes frustrating - even the Royal Flemish Philharmonic sound as though they wish to let loose on many occasion in the fifth symphony.
In the eighth, this approach works a little better - the work almost being viewed as a parody of the early Classical symphony - but the turbulence that lies beneath is all to easily swept aside; not even Karajan at his most suave diminished the impact of the C# minor episode in the finale as much as it is here. That said, the use of period timpani do help clarify the astonishingly fast demands on the player and amplify the cross rhythms between this and the rest of the orchestra to stunning effect at times.
A disappointing experience - perhaps this approach will find favour in the Pastoral symphony?
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Copyright © 2008 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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