Wilhelm Furt****ler Beethoven's 9th and beyond.

Posted by: Whizzkid on 22 June 2008

Hi guys,

Now that I have sampled some of the well known conductors and their interpretations of Beethoven, that include Furwangler, Karajan, Klemperer and Haitink I have decided that the Furtwangler 9th has had the most impact on me closely followed by Haitink and the LSO's rendition of the 5th and 1st. I am talking about the 1951 concert recorded at the Bayreuth Festival. I now thought I would like to hear the other symphonies recorded by Furtwangler and had a look at Amazon to see an EMI box set.

Now to the experienced classic bods out there has there been many editions of a Furtwangler complete symphony cycle? and if there has I would like advice on a good one to look out for before I shell out for the first one I see.

Also this recording of the 9th seems to court a bit of controversy and it seems to stem from the fact that some find it a magical and emotionally impactful performance to others who find it technically (playing and recording) flawed. I think you'll gather which camp I'm in and ironically that seems to be a great analogy of the HiFI world.

Dean..

Posted on: 30 June 2008 by --duncan--

quote:
Originally posted by GFFJ:
Next move ...

...Might be to go to some live concerts. The Proms are starting soon and are an ideal place for a Londoner (IIRC?) to get to know some of what's out there. The arena audience are friendly and unsnobbish (and more culturally diverse than those for Radiohead or Glastonbury!). £5 to stand, a complete bargain.

duncan

Posted on: 30 June 2008 by Tam

That's actually a great idea, and there is some prime Beethoven at the Proms this. Including:

The 5th symphony from the BBC Symphony orchestra and David Robertson in Prom 15 on Monday 28th July.

One of my favourite Beethoven pianists around plays one of my favourite concerts in Prom 19 on Friday 1st August. Paul Lewis plays the 4th concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Possibly the highlight, and something I wish I could travel down for, is Prom 23 on the following Sunday as Donald Runnicles conducts the BBC Scottish in the 1st symphony.

The BBC Scottish are back with their music director Ilan Volkov for the 6th in Prom 44 on Monday 18th August.

And on the last Friday (12th September) you get the traditional 9th symphony, this year from the BBC Philharmonic under Noseda in Prom 75. Particularly noteworthy here is the presence of the excellent CBSO Chorus.

Of course, even if you don't attend, these are all live on Radio 3 and some are televised.

regards, Tam

Posted on: 30 June 2008 by Tam

Posted on: 30 June 2008 by Whizzkid

Hi Guys,

I've got the hint

and it is a great idea I'll have a look and see what I can grab, the piano concerto looks interesting. Anyone else got plans for the Proms.

Dean..

Posted on: 30 June 2008 by u5227470736789439

Dear Dean,

One of my great pleasures in the summer is deciding whether to listen to the Radio relays or enjoy the garden! I now have the best radio reception ever, because of my upgraded tuner, so things have only got better!

If I had a really house with a nice big garden and a terrace then I could do both!

The Proms are a lovely chance to listen to a great variety of music. I have even been to half a dozen, though the RAH can get very hot, and I could never stand in the arena! My back would kill me after half an hour!

Happy listening from George

Posted on: 09 July 2008 by Whizzkid

Hi all

I picked up a couple of Beethovens Piano Concerto's on Vinyl for 99p each one is Rudolph Serkin, Eugene Ormandy and the TPO Concerto No 1 which is in great condition and very enjoyable and the other is Concerto No 5 Freidrich Gulda, Hans Swarowsky and the Orchestra of the Vienna Stae Opera which needs a clean and did not grab me as much but a good clean might sort that out. I seem to be enjoying the Piano based music of Beethoven it seems to be hitting the spot a bit more than the Symphonies at the moment.

This is certainly an enjoyable journey especially that Classical vinyl can be found so cheaply.

Dean..

Posted on: 20 July 2008 by --duncan--

Dean, I've contacted you about the Proms.

This essay, originally published in The New Yorker, on Alex Ross' excellent The Rest Is Noise blog might be relevant. Amongst several themes, it discusses the 'non-tarrif barriers' in going to live classical concerts and why concert-going is such an unusual event for even for the very culturally-aware.

duncan