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If you are a connoisseur of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, conductor Carlos Kleiber and the great Bavarian State Orchestra; and if, like me, you missed the first issue of this 1983 live performance, then this reissue is imperative. There is a caveat: the recording has been saved from an audio cassette version, the original master having deteriorated. But that tape recording itself is of decent quality and has been well restored. There is a cracking yarn behind this, but it can wait. The performance, characteristically of the fastidious conductor, is electrifying. Kleiber takes Beethoven's metronome markings literally, which results in a fast performance that is swift, though unhurried. But if you listen within these tempi, you will hear that Kleiber exercises enormous flexibility: the golden finale features a long-range series of accelerations through its paragraphs. It is a meticulous, exciting interpretation, with sensational playing from the great Bavarian band. The sheer weight in the brief but volcanic storm is like no other version. --Michael Tumelty, Sunday Herald, 8 January 2012
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Carlos Kleiber has always been fascinating in Beethoven (as in most of the selective repertoire he used to play). This unique document of the Pastorale, taped live in Munich in 1983 (according to the liner notes the only time Kleiber performed this symphony), is no exception. His account is intense, urgent, dazzling, to the point of becoming feverish, and is sure to keep one spellbound long after the performance is finished (just as the audience seemed to have been during the actual concert), as if a work deemed familiar was really heard for the very first time.
Since the original master tape seems to have been in poor condition, the producers of this CD preferred to use the audio cassette made by Kleiber's son. Although carefully mastered there is quite some tape hiss left. Another minus is undoubtedly the short total time (39 minutes). Yet no admirer of Kleiber or Beethoven's Pastorale should be without this CD.
12 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Master's spectacular version. With a home recorder, Kleiber's son recorded this symphony. The sound is good and acceptable. The original tapes were ruined by moisture and poor protection required. At the top of the pyramid are the following versions of the "Pastoral" symphony:
Live recording:
1) Carlos Kleiber, 1983. (Orfeo)
Studio recordings:
1) Karl Böhm, 1971. (Deutsche Grammophon)
2) André Cluytens, 1960. (EMI)
3) Bruno Walter, 1958. (Sony)
Historical recording:
1) Bruno Walter, 1936. (Naxos Historical)
Live recording:
1) Carlos Kleiber, 1983. (Orfeo)
Studio recordings:
1) Karl Böhm, 1971. (Deutsche Grammophon)
2) André Cluytens, 1960. (EMI)
3) Bruno Walter, 1958. (Sony)
Historical recording:
1) Bruno Walter, 1936. (Naxos Historical)
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Interesting to read the varied responses on here. On 5th Nov. 2011 this recording was the first choice in Building A Library on the CD Review programme on Radio 3. The reviewer said it won "hands down". Apparently this was the only time Kleiber ever conducted the Pastoral symphony! By contrast some years earlier the choice of a different reviewer was Otto Klemperer. Why not have the best of both worlds!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
not iPod friendly
a wonderful performance.it was singled out as far and away the finest in recent bbc cd review. however it is copy protected, and will not allow transfer to my iPod. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. P. Mclaughlin
not a great performance
Kleiber's recordings are few and many have some sort of legendary status. This is deserved for the Beethoven 5 and 7 (on DG) and the Brahms 4 (also on DG). Read more
Published on 11 April 2008 by enthusiast
magnificent
To comment on this performance I can use only one word: magnificent. Further comments would be superflous and inadequate. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2004 by G Pelloni
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