Beethoven's 6th symphony (a question for those more knowledgeable than me)
Posted by: Tam on 06 April 2008
I was at a concert given by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on Thursday with conductor and soloist Christian Zacharius (whom I wish they would hire as music director). Alongside a fiery reading of the Coriolan overture, and a decent Beethoven second concerto (my least favourite) we got an interesting account of the Pastoral symphony (again, not by a long margin my favourite). He gave a powerful reading of the first movement and then in the second something very interesting happened - the sound of the first violins became very odd indeed (as if they'd been retuned). After some moments puzzlement I noticed a clip on the bridge (a mute?) which I assume was to blame. Now, here's the thing, I've heard the work live at least twice before and have more than a few accounts on CD and haven't noticed this before. So was Zacharius using this more prominently, was he doing something unusual, or have I just been exceedingly unobservant as far as this work is concerned.
regards, Tam
Posted on: 06 April 2008 by Jeremy Marchant
Are you sure it was the first violins?
Checking both editions of the score that I have, neither mark the violins to be muted in this movement - or to be played in any way other than as normal.
However Beethoven does write separate parts for two solo cellos in this movement which are marked to be muted (and represent a flowing brook). This marking applies to the whole movement (up to the bird songs at the end). Mutes will impart a softer, slightly buzzing sound to these instruments.
Regards
Posted on: 06 April 2008 by Tam
The two cellos were muted too, but I am absolutely certain the first violins were as well.
Glad I haven't been missing something obvious for years.
regards, Tam
Posted on: 06 April 2008 by Todd A
Zacharias is interventionist as a pianist, so I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he tinkers around with scores as a conductor. If the effect is good, why not try it? One can always hear a note-perfect reading at any time.
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Posted on: 06 April 2008 by Tam
I agree, Todd. Unfortunately because I was worrying so much about whether this was something he was doing or something I'd always missed, I didn't really enjoy the movement. I rather wish I could go back and hear it again.
That said, it did make the movement interesting and, in truth, I find it one of the dullest things Beethoven wrote.
regards, Tam
Posted on: 07 April 2008 by Jeremy Marchant
quote:
Originally posted by Todd Arola:
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he tinkers around with scores as a conductor.
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As this is not common practice, it would have been helpful for the promoter or hall to advertise the performance as "as tinkered with by Mr Zacharias" if, indeed, that was the case.
Having been involved with my fair share of classical music concerts I certainly do not hold the printed score sacrosanct. Apart from anything else, all scores have mistakes. In one of the scores of the Pastoral I have, the two solo cellos are marked "con sordino" (with mute) at the start of the second movement. This marking is never cancelled, implying that Beethoven wanted these two players to play the rest of the symphony muted. I don't think so!
Regards
