Beethoven: The Symphonies [Box set]

 

 

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I received my set in mid December as I subscribe to the Wiener Philharmoniker, and I was delighted when this Limited Edition set arrived. The presentation is sumptuous, with a beautifully embossed box containing an album full of colour photographs and detailed essays. The most interesting of these is on the formation of the orchestra in 1842-prior to this, incredibly, there was no professional trained orchestra giving orchestral concerts in Vienna, and the main reason for the Court Opera Orchestra commencing in its concert identity as the Philharmonic was to hear Beethoven well played in the concert hall. The first work in their opening concert was the Seventh Symphony-and the link and tradition has remained unbroken since then.
Therefore, it can be said that there is a good deal of authenticity in big band Beethoven from Vienna!
What we have in this set is the "antidote" to the recent superb set from Chailly, and it is even further removed from the interesting and enjoyable set from van Immerseel using a "period" set-up.
Thielemann does not adhere slavishly (or indeed at all!) to the metronome markings, and takes a full blooded Romantic approach to these works using a large orchestra-though not the 100 strong band of a Strauss Tone Poem. The orchestra in the earlier symphonies is smaller, but increases in number-especially strings-as the cycle progresses, This Beethoven has more in common with Schumann than Mozart and Haydn. Throughout the set, Thielemann employs rubato, shaping of phrases and changes of tempo in each movement to match the drama-these symphonies do not run on "auto-pilot". Unlike Rattle in his disappointing set, Thielemann does not try to get the VPO to play differently from their natural style. The strings play with vibrato, with glorious results, the brass are instantly recognisable and the only slight difference from usual is that the timps are played with small headed hammers, delivering more of a sharp "thwack" than the usual rather indistinct rumble typical from this orchestra, with excellent and appropriate results.
Though he is not afraid to take a daringly slow approach to a movement( by modern standards)-the first movement of the 7th is "very relaxed"- tempi are not at all sluggish, and he often whips up the orchestra into a fierce virtuosity.
The Pastoral is warm and relaxed , not at all breathless , the 5th and 3rd are monumentally superb, and the 9th is a superb climax with excellent soloists (unlike Chailly!) and the venerable Wiener Singverein providing a large and resonant chorus, singing totally idiomatically.
A lighter baritone rather than a full bass is adopted in the finale, providing a more lyrical but heroic touch. A word of caution-Thielemann elicits such a ppp response from his players at the first entry of the "Ode to Joy" that I thought the CD was faulty or my equipment had failed-"Do not adjust your set"".
Arguably, the interpretations most likely to cause raised eyebrows are of the 7th and 8th. I have already referred to the opening movement, but the rest of the symphony follows a similar pattern, with tempi not sluggish but not swift either, with the substitution of grandeur for pace especially noticeable in the finale. Similarly, the 8th is not the "perky" and amusing prelude to the 9th-this recording has weight and grandeur, elevating it to the same mood as the 7th.
These are the 2 performances the furthest removed from Chailly, and even from Karajan. They reminded me most of Schmidt-Isserstedt but with a touch more energy and drive.
So, in summary, Symphonies 1&2 are played with a lighter more classical touch, but without the "zing" of say Chailly though the finales of both go at a fair lick, 3,4,5,6 and 9 are simply superb and must surely delight all lovers of these works, and 7 and 8 are perhaps more of an acquired taste, that taste surely acquired if you enjoy Klemperer's approach to these works.
The recordings were made live, and though applause has been excised, there is a palpable audience presence, though not through coughing!
There is no background hiss, and the recordings are warm and very detailed, with balance and perspective beautifully handled. The conductor favours a strong string presence bolstered by woodwind, with brass subdued until needed to rise to prominence, their unison chorales in the 3rd making the hairs on the neck stand up.
In conclusion, this set will delight and enthuse all those who are not hung up on HIP dogma that Beethoven must be performed by an orchestra of 9 with the whole cycle being over in 86 minutes-by which facetiousness I mean the styles of Norrington and Goodman for example.
This is old fashioned music making- in the sense of Klemperer, Karajan and Furtwangler being considered old fashioned and not "authentic".
Each symphony unfolds wonderfully, with drama and beauty expertly juxtaposed, in a big, lush and grand sound world. Is Thielemann's conducting revelatory? Only in the sense that these works are as powerful and moving as ever in the hands of a great conductor at the peak of his form, and played by an orchestra with the music in their blood.
The uncorrected Peters Edition is used, eschewing the recent scholarly additions by Jonathan Del Mar, and there is a bonus DVD about the recording history etc which is quite interesting-once, I suspect!
For me, this IS the Beethoven set for the 21st Century-so far.
Unreservedly recommended to those who are happy to have their Beethoven played in the grand romantic style-to me, a complete joy. 10 Stars. Stewart Crowe.

After pre-ordering this set before Christmas, I was very happy to receive this set yesterday. The first thing to say is the presentation is quite beautiful, quite the best CD album I have ever seen.

I had been encouraged to buy the set by a rather 'cautious' review by the BBC's CD review programme on Radio 3! The reviewer found some of Thielemann's speeds too slow which I found to be encouraging because my main complaint about modern recordings of Beethoven is that they are too rushed! In fact, many of Thielemann's speeds are fast but he is not afraid to take his time where appropriate. I have only heard a few of the symphonies so far but I am greatly encouraged by everything I have heard so far.

Helping considerably to create this positive reaction is the outstanding recording and playing of the Vienna Philharmonic. The sound is quite wonderfully balanced and rich in texture. There are absolutely no problems coming from the fact of them being live recordings, the gaps between movements being nicely handled so that one is aware of an audience being present without any noticeable fading out of the acoustic.

Strongly recommended.

Is it really the Beethoven cycle of 2011.I do not think so.It has any attractive packing and 1 DVD.The single DVD IS more for the promotion of the DVD box set than the audio box set CD.The packing get 5 stars but what about the content,is mediocore chocholate in an expensive box set.With keep desire to hear THE cycle of 2011,I was disappointed to say the least. Symphony 1 was slow to the point of being bore in comparison with other conductors.The sound is less brillant than Chailly version.Is that how Beethoven should sound or am I being brainwashed with conductors taking a faster speed.Even Mozart or Haydn is faster in thier symphonies.May I find a a gem or Turkish delight in his others symphonies but not in No2.Chailly version is better in sound and conducted than Thielemann.If am wrong, can some give me the reason why I should perserve with Thielemann version of the symphonies or recomend a version that this sonicaly more superior and conducted than Chailly.I would suggest any one completating of buying ths set is to listen to it first.Do not view it in youtube,you will distracted with vision and pay less attention to the sound.I sincerely respect the reviewers who gave this version 5 stars. I am not a musician or read music but in most cases the ears is better judge.The Bruckner symphonies diappointed when I bought it and sold it for 1/5 of the price that I paid.It might be labelled Beethoven cycle of 2011 but is far behind Karajan,Chaily,Colin Davis and others.Prospective buyers beware. If your are not conviced get it on Amazon with the option of returning it.I am waiting the expert reviewers of Gramophone magazine (UK) and Fanfare(USA)

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