Radio 3's Beethoven Experience

Posted by: Tam on 06 June 2005

For those of you who don't already know, R3 is currently embarking on an interesting project to broadcast the complete works of Beethoven, back to back, over the next few days.

While there are some oddities in the scheduling (probably due to a desire on the part of the beeb to use archive material to cut costs), e.g. no Solomon and only one performance by Mackerras at about 4 a.m. on Tuesday. Worst of all, we're getting just about all (if not all) the Beethoven symphonies from Norrrington, who, personally, as a conductor, I cannot stand.

Anyway, so far, I've heard a number of things that have taken me by surprise and been extremely good (or interesting - as the variations on god save the king were). Anyway, here are some of my highlights so far:

5th piano concerto with Mindru Katz/Halle Orchestra and Barbirolli.

Symphony 5 with Antal Dorati/LSO

Piano trio in e flat, op70 no2 with Heifetz (violin), Piatigorsky (cello) and pennario (piano)

The latter was especially good. I have no idea whether any of them are available on disc though.

Anyway, what do you think of the idea, the selections, what have you heard on it that's been especially good?


regards,

Tam
Posted on: 06 June 2005 by Llancaedydd
I think that it is a great idea. It's marvellous being able to listen to Radio 3 all day without having to reach for the off switch when, for example, they feel it necessary to inflict Harrison Birtwistle on the nation.

I particualrly enjoyed the Cantata on the Accession of Emperor Leopold II which was on earlier today and the variations which have been on this evening are interesting, none of which I have heard before.

I agree that the variations on God Save the King were fascinating, it's not such a dirge in the hands of a genius is it?! Shame he didn't rework the words into something a bit more inspiring too!

Andy
Posted on: 06 June 2005 by Blueknowz
Is the 9th on at all?
Posted on: 06 June 2005 by Tam
quote:
Originally posted by BLUEKNOWZ:
Is the 9th on at all?


It was on in prime time last night and it's on again at about 6am or so on Wednesday. That version is particularly particularly interesting since it features Bernstein conducting an orchestra from east and west Germany as well as players from France, the UK and US. The reason being it was shortly after the Berlin wall came down and the ode to joy is changed to ode to freedom (a fascinating document).


regards,

Tam
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by Alan B
Hi Tam
Often read your input in the Hi Fi Room. Glad to hear you are a Beethoven fan. Noone comes near him as far as I'm concerned. What a genius!! My favourite is the String Quartet Op. 130. The slow movement kills me - are those violins crying?
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Tam
Hi Alan,

Yes, I love my Beethoven, possibly a little too much (not really sure I need as many sets of symphonies as I have).

I don't know the string quartets as well as I ought to - owing largely to the fact that I only picked up a set for the first time in the christmas sales.

That said, I'm currently listening to the Takacs quartet playing the Op. 130 and you're quite right, the slow movement is particularly stunning. (Their whole 3 disc set of late quartets is very good - as are the lindsays who, sadly, have retired, or are about to, fortunately I saw them for the first time just a few months ago).


regards,

Tam