Beethoven Symphonies Nos 6 & 8
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Ludwig van Beethoven
Label: EMI
Magazine Review Date: 1/1987
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 69
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 747459-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Symphony No. 6, 'Pastoral' |
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Klaus Tennstedt, Conductor London Philharmonic Orchestra Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer |
| Symphony No. 8 |
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Klaus Tennstedt, Conductor London Philharmonic Orchestra Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer |
Author: Stephen Johnson
''It would be a dullard indeed who could listen to Tennstedt's... account of the opening movement of the Pastoral Symphony and not feel better for it'', wrote RO in January. Agreed. It's a marvellously refreshing and invigorating performance, warm and rich in tone, refined, but full of rhythmic vitality, with long repetitive passages beautifully gradated. The ''Scene by the brook'' is equally pleasing, and the final hymn breathes contentment. But I must also agree with RO's reservations about Tennstedt's sense of larger structure. Neither Bohm (coupled with the Choral Symphony on two special-price CDs) nor Karajan (both DG) is as bracing or ingratiating as Tennstedt, but both have a clear view of the Pastoral as a symphonic whole rather than a suite of tone pictures—one single experience rather than a sequence of pleasant impressions.
In comparison, Tennstedt's Eighth is a little short on character and, despite sweeping phrasing and clean accentuation, there's a slightly deliberate quality. Richard Osborne found it ''genial and fleet-footed'' though neither quality seems much in evidence to me. Again, Tennstedt is lighter than Karajan, but the latter has a splendid forward drive—a little unrelenting at times, but in the end a more coherent and compelling reading of this tough little symphony.
Tennstedt's recording is magnificently transferred. The orchestral presence is vivid, though never overpowering, with detail emerging with far more clarity than for either Karajan or Bohm.'
In comparison, Tennstedt's Eighth is a little short on character and, despite sweeping phrasing and clean accentuation, there's a slightly deliberate quality. Richard Osborne found it ''genial and fleet-footed'' though neither quality seems much in evidence to me. Again, Tennstedt is lighter than Karajan, but the latter has a splendid forward drive—a little unrelenting at times, but in the end a more coherent and compelling reading of this tough little symphony.
Tennstedt's recording is magnificently transferred. The orchestral presence is vivid, though never overpowering, with detail emerging with far more clarity than for either Karajan or Bohm.'
Beethoven Symphonies Nos 6 & 8
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.