Two recent CDs (RCA) of Beethoven symphonies (3 and 8,4 and 7)by the Deutsche Kammerorchester Bremen conducted by Paavo Jarvi have rekindled my interest in Beethoven symphonies. Wonderful, crisp performances that convey not only the grandure but the fabulous rhythm inherent in these unique works. Anybody else heard these by chance? This same group has also recorded very fine performances of the 3rd and 5th Beethoven piano concertos with the Japanese pianist Ikuyo Nakishima on a Japanese RCA CD that Todd put me on to awhile back.
Posted on: 07 January 2008 by Tam
The Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, as I think their full title is, can play some very fine Beethoven indeed. I first came across them in concert with Daniel Harding in Aldeburgh in 2003. Actually, it was Harding's penultimate concert with the orchestra. The first half of the concert was some Rameau, which I always find a little indifferent and an okay reading of the Sibelius violin concerto. But in the second half they gave a heart-stopping account of Beethoven's 7th symphony, and one of the most exciting performances I've every heard of anything (until Mackerras in 2006 in Edinburgh).
Unfortunately, they didn't commit any of the symphonies to disc (though there is a set of the various overtures, but all overtures for an hour is actually a bit much).
While we're on Beethoven symphonies, I suppose I have to mention the recently issued Mackerras set on Hyperion from those Edinburgh concert performances - something rather special (even if the engineers didn't quite do him proud),
regards, Tam
Posted on: 07 January 2008 by Todd A
The disc with 3 & 8 has been on my wish list for a while, and just browsing Amazon I see that both that and the newer disc (which had a January 2nd release) is now readily available stateside. Just about time to buy. The performances of the concertos with Nakamichi were quite good and in stellar sound, so if I'm hoping for more of the same.
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