If you attend classical concerts in the United States, something you will probably never hear is a professional chorus.Symphony orchestras simply cannot afford to pay a chorus.Most of the time, amateur choruses do okay but they still sound like amateurs.In some works, like Orff's Carmina Burana, amateur choruses really struggle.In Europe there are some professional choruses and that is what you get here and the sound is simply amazing.The power, the intonation and great articulation are all there.The first time I heard a professional chorus was in Vienna when I heard George Szell conduct Beethoven's 9th with the Vienna Philharmonic and their chorus.When the chorus made their first entrance, I almost fell out of my seat.I had never heard such an incredible sound in my life.If you love classical music, I would absolutely buy this DVD.First of all it is a bargain, cheaper than even the cost of the 2 budget CDs you would need to get all three symphonies.Michael Gielen is an outstanding Beethoven conductor.His first movement of the 8th is simply astonishing.He gets more humor out of that movement than Jay Leno gets in a whole week.And the orchestral playing is magnificent.
I found the first movement of the 7th to be somewhat lacking in vitality but the last three movements are tremendous.As for the 9th, it is very good, not the best, but more than adequate. Gielen's tempos are very quick and the music moves very nicely.What is missing is a sense of occasion.It is somewhat businesslike and performances of the 9th should be highly passionate.
Despite my reservations, this DVD is still a great bargain.Just think about this.In the 1940's, these three symphonies on 78RPM probably cost at least 20 dollars.That was one week's salary and the sound was bad and there was no picture.How times have changed.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Beethoven - Symphonies Nos. 7, 8, 9 / Behle, Naef, Winslade, Muller-Brachmann, Gielen, SWR Symphony Orchestra
No comments:
Post a Comment