It had to come: Gramophone's review of the "A Beethoven Journey." After a look at individual symphonies and an assessment of the Ninth that suggests "it will be a relief for many listeners to hear a modern account of the symphony that does not drive the first movement into a concrete wall and watch as the wreckage flies far and wide," the critic sums up that "it's probably no one's idea of a perfect Beethoven cycle . . . but for the insights of a lifetime's accumulated wisdom in this music, it's required listening." That doesn't quite line up with your review of the set as a "wholly unnecessary musical and artistic nullity" in which the orchestra does everything Takas-Nagy wants, but "what he wants is completely irrelevant to the experience and understanding of Beethoven." And you sum up: "Just totally, completely a waste of your life to spend more than 30 seconds with any of these performances." Doesn't exactly translate into "required listening" for me.
Dear Dave, talking about Beethoven..could you please give us a review about his contemporaries C M von Weber and J N Hummel, their music and how you regard their status today?
I've just heard Ozawa's latest (perhaps his last) Beethoven cycle with the Mito Chamber Orchestra, and the performances by no means sounded "small". Tension really matters. Btw, Finster's so cute!
Funny you post this today, and I come home from work to find that the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's season finale in 2024 is going to be Takacs-Nagy doing the Eroica.
You have been generally but not entirely grim about recent Beethoven complete symphony cycles. How would you rank your top 3 new Beethoven cycles to emerge since 2020? Include mediocrity if you must. Clearly this one wouldn't make the list.
I would be curious too. There are already so many Beethoven cycles out there that I have to wonder why more continue to be made. How many of these newer recordings are going to add something useful to the conversation, and how many are going to exceed the quality of the best among those that already exist?
Jukka-Pekka Saraste's cycle with the WDR got a pretty good write-up on ClassicsToday, but I guess the recentish stand-outs would be Vänskä, Chailly and Blomstedt in Leipzig.
I sampled this set via streaming last week. Not only did the performances not interest me at all, I didnt care for the sound. I wish record companies would stop releasing nonsense like this!
I have learned so much from you! I love you! Please, please, please, however, never, never, never sing or make your characteristic over-extended, Hurwitzian ostinato sound effects - fearsome, un-musical, hope-destroying death-rattles!
Finster might like a lot better Michael Sanderling with Dresdner Philharmonie? WHat you say Finster, paw of approval....like the Gielen with SWR or....
"Journey" is a cant word which has become badly overused. My emotional journey. My journey of discovery. Blah blah. A few years back it was "inappropriate." As in "Ted Bundy's actions were inappropriate." 'Journey' is getting almost as silly.
@@zdl1965 Add 150 Verbier patrons, if you feel generous. Although, actually, I reckon a sponsor or the Festival itself took a minimum run of one- to five hundred to sell and give away.
I predict you'll get twice as many clicks on this one because of the beautiful Finster!
I just viewed this video a fourth time because of the furry companion. (Normally I'm good after two or three views.)
It had to come: Gramophone's review of the "A Beethoven Journey." After a look at individual symphonies and an assessment of the Ninth that suggests "it will be a relief for many listeners to hear a modern account of the symphony that does not drive the first movement into a concrete wall and watch as the wreckage flies far and wide," the critic sums up that "it's probably no one's idea of a perfect Beethoven cycle . . . but for the insights of a lifetime's accumulated wisdom in this music, it's required listening." That doesn't quite line up with your review of the set as a "wholly unnecessary musical and artistic nullity" in which the orchestra does everything Takas-Nagy wants, but "what he wants is completely irrelevant to the experience and understanding of Beethoven." And you sum up: "Just totally, completely a waste of your life to spend more than 30 seconds with any of these performances." Doesn't exactly translate into "required listening" for me.
How many clicked for the cat? 😆
Anyone remember which video it was where it knocked over the lamp??
Only reason I clicked 😇
Dear Dave, talking about Beethoven..could you please give us a review about his contemporaries C M von Weber and J N Hummel, their music and how you regard their status today?
I've just heard Ozawa's latest (perhaps his last) Beethoven cycle with the Mito Chamber Orchestra, and the performances by no means sounded "small". Tension really matters. Btw, Finster's so cute!
Funny you post this today, and I come home from work to find that the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's season finale in 2024 is going to be Takacs-Nagy doing the Eroica.
I bet Beethoven would throw plates of spaghetti at them.
Nothing says spontaneity quite like a pre-concert "tradition."
LOL!
That is one extremely beautiful cat!
Thank you.
I'll stick with the Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt / Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven Symphonies cycle, It's a lovely recording.
You have been generally but not entirely grim about recent Beethoven complete symphony cycles. How would you rank your top 3 new Beethoven cycles to emerge since 2020? Include mediocrity if you must. Clearly this one wouldn't make the list.
Or even since 2010!
I would be curious too. There are already so many Beethoven cycles out there that I have to wonder why more continue to be made. How many of these newer recordings are going to add something useful to the conversation, and how many are going to exceed the quality of the best among those that already exist?
A big suprise for me was the last cycle with the LSO and Haitink!Really exciting and outstanding timpanis!
Jukka-Pekka Saraste's cycle with the WDR got a pretty good write-up on ClassicsToday, but I guess the recentish stand-outs would be Vänskä, Chailly and Blomstedt in Leipzig.
👍
How about a few sound grabs to illustrate your comments? Your screeching is wonderful, but it doesn't really help much David.
He can't because TH-cam flags it for copyright infringement
I like to screech.
You can listen to the recordings for free right here on TH-cam.
No sabia que tenias un pan de trigo.
Not gonna lie Dave, when I read the title, I thought you were making fun of Yannick Nezet-Seguin’s name again 😂
Maybe they should have saved the hugs & shouts for post concert 🤣
I sampled this set via streaming last week. Not only did the performances not interest me at all, I didnt care for the sound. I wish record companies would stop releasing nonsense like this!
I have learned so much from you! I love you! Please, please, please, however, never, never, never sing or make your characteristic over-extended, Hurwitzian ostinato sound effects - fearsome, un-musical, hope-destroying death-rattles!
Get used to it. It's my style.
To me, if Beethoven wanted it performed by a chamber sized orchestra, he would have said so.
Finster might like a lot better Michael Sanderling with Dresdner Philharmonie? WHat you say Finster, paw of approval....like the Gielen with SWR or....
Wasn't interested until I saw the cat 😹
As W. C. Fields said, never work with children or animals.
This recording is a cat astrophe.
"Journey" is a cant word which has become badly overused. My emotional journey. My journey of discovery. Blah blah. A few years back it was "inappropriate." As in "Ted Bundy's actions were inappropriate." 'Journey' is getting almost as silly.
Another unnecessary cycle on DG (probably licenced from the Verbier Festival). Who buys this stuff?
I really don't know
I have the access to download such boxes and album digitally for free but I can't take it
Those who played in the performances, and their parents. And GT-N fans. About 100 people or so.
@@zdl1965 Add 150 Verbier patrons, if you feel generous. Although, actually, I reckon a sponsor or the Festival itself took a minimum run of one- to five hundred to sell and give away.