Review: Honeck Refreshes Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2022
- Fresh, vital, and provocative, this Beethoven Sixth will have you listening to the music with fresh ears. Unlike some of his recent work, Honeck never takes the music where it doesn't want to go, while still offering a characterful (if heavily interventionist) view. As usual, the Pittsburgh Symphony plays gorgeously, Reference Recordings offer glorious sonics, and the coupling, the tone poem "Silent Spring" by Steven Stucky, is both rewarding and appropriate, if totally different in style. A terrific disc.
The horn playing in this performance is unparalleled
Honeck is somehow finding new things in these well-worn warhorses, and it's pretty impressive. Almost hard to believe when there's so much routine out there.
There is a video on YT where Honeck performs the 6th with the WDR Orchester and they indeed stomp their feet - which was unexpected but very entertaining. An overall great performance indeed (I guess like on the recording as well).
Listened to this the other day, the piccolo retouching definitely works. The finale really sings. First movement is too swift to my ear, but the rest of it (especially the storm) is as good as anyone has done it.
Thanks for reviewing this. I can only agree, a beautifully fresh Pastoral! Going to check out the coupling today, coincidentally have been reading Carson before this recording came out.
I've listened to this recording (surround version) several times and really enjoy it. Personally, I like Honeck's notes. They are educational and informative. But it's the music that's important and Honeck delivers a great (yes, fresh) performance.
Couldn't agree more - absolutely blew me away
I appreciate this review and agree that it’s a very fresh-sounding Pastoral. I also agree with your critical assessment of Honeck’s take on the 9th. Best to you David.
The original piccolo part in the 'Pastoral' amounts to 4 pages of tacet and about 8 notes in the storm scene - nice to see the player being given a bit more to do!
David, how can I possibly not message you with the biggest THANK YOU I can muster for recommending the Manfred Honeck recording of the Beethoven pastoral recording... David, it is a masterpiece of conducting. Having heard it by every son-of-a-gun conductor that ever lived, I was possessed by an overwhelming feeling that this was the FIRST time I had ever heard the Beethoven 6th, which is far from correct. Thank you again, so much.
Hi David, I am from Egypt and like many of your Channel videos! Thank you much! By the way, I heard Manfred Honeck voice at this great performance shouting (like Celibidache) to encourage the Orchestra at the last movement.
A fine recording. The first movement was a revelation, the textures are wonderful, and the finale was nicely spacious. I wonder whether the interpretation is as complete a narrative as it could be (the storm is slightly under-dramatised from my first listen) , but, in its minutiae, it's terrific! There's so much there, and, as I say, to get that first movement tempo without sounding rushed, is remarkable!
I was at one of the performances included in this recording and it was one of the oddest experiences I've had at Heinz Hall. The recording equipment started buzzing, and Honeck abruptly stopped and ran offstage to consult with the engineers. A few minutes later he returned and continued where he left off. Not the best concert experience, but the result is well worth it. Given the recording issues I was afraid this would never see the light of day.
How do you think it compares to Vänskä in Minnesota? For me that's a real highlight of his cycle.
Interesting. Full of energy and the musicians are loving it. Glad he did it and can see why Dave likes it even if some of the tempi are off. But you can't have everything.
Hello Dave! I'm gonna enjoy this one, I tell you. By the way, I was wondering when are you going to review Honeck's rendition of Brahms' last symphony. It is so different to the ones I own (Wand, Abbado, Kleiber) that I don't know what to think. That's great, I guess. See you around.
I've heard this recording. Yes, it's full of ideas, but the
My least favourite of the nine, this one, but you’re right - it’s a great performance. The piccolos and stamping really make the peasants’ dance come alive and I heard lines I’d previously missed. I’ve no idea why I’m so indifferent to the sixth - it just seems to be by somebody else at times. Maybe a few listens to this will fix that. Thanks for the recommendation.
I do like this performance a great deal - one of the best storms ever! But if I have one quibble it is this (and I know I’m challenging one of the great recent Beethoven conductors and one of America’s greatest music critics… so I’m on very thin ice here), I don’t care for the horns in the first movement, especially when they first come in with that theme (and the repeat). They are VERY forward and VERY energetic. To me it sounds more like a royal fanfare than an introduction to a festive pastoral afternoon. It kinda blows the mood right up front. But after that, Honeck eventually (quickly actually) wins me over. Opinion respectfully submitted.
I don't think you've been mean to Honeck. That Brahms 4, you praised it as it deserves. And of course the best ideas are from Beethoven, that's not the point. Are we not talking about interpretations?