Review by Edvin July 25, 2006 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
|
|
I really haven´t got so much to add. Every word from my previous reviews about this series can be copied and pasted in here. Well, except for the titles then. This is the Beethoven series of my dreams and if you enjoyed the other two releases you will enjoy this one too.
The Eroica is played with all the sensitivity we have come to expect from these forces and the first movement is nicely flowing, 17´49 as opposed to Vänskä, 16´58. No great difference.
The Funeral march is a bit swifter from Haitink, 14´22 (Vänskä 15´07)but it loses nothing in grandeur, majesty.
In the scherzo there is only a two seconds difference and the finale is 11´06 to Vänskä´s 11´38.
Also, BIS has longer pauses where the clock keeps on ticking. The greatest difference between these two marvellous performances is the older conductor´s sense of form. Haitink has become a master in thinking ahead and thus saving the climaxes for the right moment. With all his experience he shapes the phrases and dynamics with the end in sight like a real master, something Vänskä doesn´t really achive as yet. Also, this LSO Live recording has none of the dynamic quirks of the BIS issue where the quiet passages are too quiet.
The Leonore No 2 is played in the same manner as the symphonies and no praise can be higher.
This is not much of a review but I´ve run out of words of praise. Next up is the ninth, exciting. When the series is complete can we please have a box set with different design please. This is the worst ever.
|
Was this review helpful to you?
yes |
no
|
|