NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Cond. by Thomas Hengelbrock (2017)
1. Allegro non troppo : 00:00
2. Andante moderato : 12:25
3. Allegro giocoso : 23:34
4. Allegro energico e passionato : 29:39
In addition to the 'Alternative Opening,' this recording contains many lovely elements. From the enraged and upsurged coda of the first movement, to the slightly faster interpretation, to the lovely pizzicato texture in the second movement, there are many factors that consistently draw me to this recording.
The first movement, including the 'Alternative Opening,' follows a sonata form. Occasionally, the Alternative Opening, which is used in some recordings, involves a noticeably effective IV-I progression throughout the piece. It also implies the beginning motif of B-G. The subsequent primary theme comprises a poignant violin melody descending by a third, accompanied by shimmering woodwind decorations (also associated with descending thirds), arpeggios in the cello and viola, and pedal points in the double bass.
Observing how the descending thirds introduced in the initial theme are transformed and reappear throughout the piece would be a fascinating endeavor.
Detailed timeline :
I. Allegro non troppo
Alternative Opening : 00:00
Exposition
- Theme Group I, Theme I : 00:08
- TG I, Theme II : 01:37
- Transition : 02:20
- Theme Group II, Theme I : 02:46
- Codetta : 03:57
Development
- Sector I : 04:12
(It seems like the piece initially presents repetitions reminiscent of the first section, prompting the audience to anticipate familiar motifs, only to reveal shortly thereafter that it's introducing something new, 04:26.)
- Sector II : 05:16
(The development of Theme II is particularly well executed and evident.)
- Sector III? : 06:14
(Due to the ambiguous nature of TGII TI's identity, it can be challenging to determine whether this section represents a variation of TGII TI or if it's an extension of the TG1 TI, descending thirds motif that has been persistent throughout the piece.)
- Transition : 06:27
(The section reminiscent of "Dies Irae" from Theme I continues to appear intermittently, changing instruments as it progresses.)
Recapitulation
- TG I : 07:11
(It contrasts sharply with Sector I of the development section, which displayed almost identical repetitions.)
- Transition : 09:16
- TG II : 09:41
Coda : 11:09
II. Andante moderato
Exposition
- Theme I : 12:25
- Transition : 15:45
- Theme II : 16:09
Recapitulation
- Theme I : 18:12
- Transition : 19:53
- Theme II : 20:15
(From this point until the conclusion of the second movement, it's truly unbelievably beautiful.)
Coda : 21:47
III. Allegro giocoso
Exposition
- Theme Group I, Theme I : 23:34
- TG I, TII : 23:38
- TG I, TIII : 23:43
- TG I, TII(Simplified) : 23:52
- TG I, TI(Inverted) : 24:07
- TG I, TII : 24:11
- Transition : 24:16
(Expansion of TII)
- TG II, TI : 24:23
- Codetta : 24:52
Development
- Section I : 25:01
(TI - Expansion of TII)
- Section II : 25:28
(Expansion of TII Simplified)
- Section III : 25:50
(Expansion of TI)
- Section IV (Poco meno presto) : 26:34
(Variation of TIII)
Recapitulation
- TG I, TIII(!) : 27:00
- TG I, TII(Simplified) : 27:10
- TG I, TI(Inverted) : 27:24
- TG I, TII : 27:32
- Transition : 27:37
(Expansion of TII)
- TG II, TI : 27:46
Coda
Sector I : 28:20
(Timpani's TII Rhythm, some fragments of TII Variation - C#-G-C#G, D-G-D-G..., fragments of T1)
Sector II : 28:47
(Variation of TGI)
IV. Allegro energico e passionato (Chaconne)
Theme : 29:39
Var. I : 29:54
Var. II : 30:07
Var. III : 30:22
Var. IV : 30:34
Var. V : 30:49
Var. VI : 31:02
Var. VII : 31:16
Var. VIII : 31:30
Var. IX : 31:46
Var. X : 32:03
Var. XI : 32:22
Var. XII : 32:41
Var. XIII : 33:26
Var. XIV : 34:07
Var. XV : 34:49
Var. XVI : 35:33
Var. XVII : 35:45
Var. XVIII : 35:57
Var. XIX : 36:09
Var. XX : 36:21
Var. XXI : 36:33
Var. XXII : 36:46
Var. XXIII : 36:58
Var. XXIV : 37:11
Var. XXV : 37:26
Var. XXVI : 37:39
Var. XXVII : 37:53
Var. XXVIII : 38:07
Var. XXIX : 38:20
Var. XXX : 38:34
Coda : 38:53 (Piu Allegro)