Symphony No. 4: Composing for all eternity | Gardiner and the ORR on Beethoven's Symphonies

The Fourth Symphony is less well known than its odd-numbered neighbours, but in this instalment of our Beethoven Symphony series, John Eliot Gardiner reveals that it is his favourite of the nine. In rehearsal with the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique for our Beethoven Symphony Cycle, he explores a work that Robert Schumann called “a slender Grecian maiden between two Nordic giants”, tracing the surprises en route between its mysterious, harmonically ambiguous introduction, and its high-spirited finale.
Directed and edited by Richard Wilson. Produced by Bill Lloyd & Richard Wilson. Director of Photography, Benjamin Ealovega.
About the series:
In May, the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and John Eliot Gardiner should have been performing Beethoven’s complete symphonies at the Barbican Hall in London. This cycle was part of an international tour celebrating both Beethoven’s 250th anniversary and the 30th birthday of the ORR. We were lucky enough to be able to complete three cycles - in Barcelona, New York and Chicago - before the pandemic put a stop to all concerts. To give you a flavour of this monumental project, we will be releasing a nine-part series of films where John Eliot Gardiner will give his thoughts on Beethoven’s musical mind, and the orchestra will be seen rehearsing the symphonies.
Beethoven’s process of composition meant wrestling not just with beauty and emotion but also with political and humanitarian themes. During these uncertain times, perhaps more than any other composer, he gives us a feeling of triumph over adversity. The symphonies express Beethoven’s own bravery in the face of personal problems and these documentaries capture John Eliot Gardiner and the ORR tackling the music with a mixture of scholarship, energy, imagination and a complete devotion to Beethoven’s miraculous vision.
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The three Monteverdi ensembles - the Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique - are a leading force on the international music scene. World-class musicians and singers from many nationalities come together to share in the distinctive vision of our Artistic Director, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, in ground-breaking projects that span eight centuries of musical masterpieces.
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[@artistsf1]

I was shocked to hear the Maestro say it is his favorite of the nine.
I love them all and my own favorite would be which ever one I am hearing at the moment.
The fourth is so often sort of seen as a quasi lesser piece, it was a joy to hear this symphony get its time in the spotlight.

[@martinprior9141]

for a long time I have regarded the Fourth as my favourite
especially the slow movement, though this does indeed compare with those of the 7th and 9th

[@netwitchtatjana4661]

Now I'll never get that image of the motorbike out of my head ... vrooomm ...

[@AlexandrosV]

As usual, BRILLIANT!!! The documentary on the symphonies has become something to really look forward to all the week :-).

[@OmarShaya]

Same here!

[@maazzafar2822]

I know, right?

[@simonkawasaki4229]

Glad to hear Gardiner's insight on the 4th. I had no idea it was his favorite.

[@OmarShaya]

What a brilliant episode in a brilliant series! THANK YOU for making it and letting us enjoy it.

[@eduardopoblete8839]

Eduardo Poblete de Chile, eternas gracias maestro Gardiner , mi admiración por usted trasciende todo lo imaginable. Lo esperaba en noviembre 2019 en Santiago, pero lamentablemente, por lo acaecido en nuestro país convulsionado, no pudimos contar con su presencia. Tengo su maravillosa obra Musica en el Castillo del Cielo, magno estudio sobre la obra de J.S.Bach, que me tuvo ensimismado durante tres meses, gracias y un abrazo fraterno al maestro y su maravillosa orquesta....

[@lyolevrich]

"it's like a motorbike revving up"...such a poetic image.....🤨 Really? A thought that sounds so adolescent

[@rictsla4191]

I through a had a comprehensive knowledge of Beethoven symphonies and other works. But I learn new things every time I listen to these videos.

[@EvanJHagen]

Thanks for these videos. The recent performances in Chicago were the most exciting and inspiring concerts I ever could have imagined!

[@thomasbirkhahn9616]

Wonderful documentary on a fabulous piece with great musiscians!!!!!!!!!!!

[@saidtoshimaru1832]

Amazing!

[@srothbardt]

Again......GREAT.

[@ugolomb]

Who's the conductor in the first movement?

[@monteverdichoirandorchestr9911]

Hi Uri, that's our Assistant Conductor, Dinis Sousa!

[@asuos007]

Commentary good for nothing😊