Beethoven Symphonies 4 & 7

A Beethovenian treat for Parisian audiences, magnificently played

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre:

DVD

Label: Ideale Audience

Media Format: Digital Versatile Disc

Media Runtime: 89

Mastering:

Stereo
DDD

Catalogue Number: 3079298

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Coriolan Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Wladimir Jurowski, Conductor
Symphony No. 4 Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Wladimir Jurowski, Conductor
Symphony No. 7 Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Wladimir Jurowski, Conductor
It seems strange for an English orchestra to be filmed on a visit to France. But how lucky the Parisians were to experience this magnificent concert. It begins with the Coriolan overture, passion offset by delicate, liquid playing from the woodwind. Vladimir Jurowski imbues the Fourth Symphony with the same passion. After the mysterious, tentative whispers of the slow introduction, the first movement bowls along with a muscularity more readily associated with the odd-numbered symphonies; there’s an exhilarating snap to the syncopations. Mystery returns in the hushed playing of the strings and the timpani rolls – in B major, which must have been a shock in 1807 – before the crescendo that heralds Jurowski’s mighty recapitulation.

If the Adagio is not so memorable – it comes across as restless and episodic – the third movement, a scherzo in all but name, is tautly controlled, with songful phrases from the woodwind in the Trio. The finale follows without a break, the violins skittering along with an impressive precision, matched by Andrew Watts’s bassoon and complemented by Antony Pay’s lyrical clarinet.

The Seventh Symphony is even better. Jurowski keeps an iron grip on the dancing rhythm of the first-movement Vivace, screwing up the tension with the minor- and major-second clashes in the development section. The flowing tune in the Allegretto is lovingly phrased by the violas and cellos, while the fugato for all the strings is a model of clarity; and I loved the way Jurowski holds back briefly – both times – before the maggiore. As in the Fourth, the finale follows the third movement immediately. The horns are doubled: it’s hard to tell with the trumpets, but four players are listed.

All the repeats are taken; the violins are separated. The only flaw is the camerawork, which fussily cuts from section to section. Throw a blanket over the screen, and marvel.

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