Beethoven Symphonies HIP

[karlhenning]

Cited for appropriateness to thread:

Hearing an excess of Karajan is [...] a bloating, desensitising experience.

0:)

[Brian]

Cited for appropriateness to thread:

0:)

Hearing an excess of Norman Lebrecht is... well, you know.

[karlhenning]

Hearing an excess of Norman Lebrecht is... well, you know.

Quoted for truth.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Thanks for your comment, neighbor!

[Rod Corkin]

Elgarian,
I'm jealous of you! You are reliving an experience I had about 10 years ago, and which changed me forever to a period instrument (with all that implies) fan. Which is not to say that I wasn't already a Beethoven fan, I was. But the realization, as you so aptly put it, that modern orchestral sound "sucks the life out of the music" was what put me over the top. There is a certain rough-and-readiness to Immerseel (and Hogwood for that matter, which was my beginning) that just absolutely appeals to my ear and my ability to get in touch with this music. In any case, your Mackerras set is one of the better modern instrument sets, and if it didn't sell you on the music to this degree, then likely no other would either. Welcome to the fold...

We dissected Immerseel's set at my site symphony by symphony. The consensus was not good, even amongst the HIP fanciers like myself.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

We dissected Immerseel's set at my site symphony by symphony. The consensus was not good, even amongst the HIP fanciers like myself.

Ask us if we care...

[Brian]

We dissected Immerseel's set at my site symphony by symphony. The consensus was not good, even amongst the HIP fanciers like myself.

Which HIP recording is your favorite?

I've listened to samples of the Immerseel and it seemed impressive.

[DavidRoss]

Cited for appropriateness to thread:

Hearing an excess of Karajan is [...] a bloating, desensitising experience.

0:)

Now it's my turn to get the popcorn!

We dissected Immerseel's set at my site symphony by symphony. The consensus was not good, even amongst the HIP fanciers like myself.

Even if I did not already know just how good Immerseel's cycle is (better than all of the usual suspects), I would take this as the strongest possible recommendation in favor of the set.

Well if you are going to explore Beethoven, let me rec my favorite work.  While Eric has his Debussy P&M, I have Beethoven's Archduke Trio!  It is magnificently sublime.

Love it, too, Dave!  Haven't heard a period instrument performance to compare with my faves, however.  Which do you suggest?

[Elgarian]

Well if you are going to explore Beethoven ...

... and Handel, and Vivaldi, and the whole of French baroque, (and, perhaps, Schubert), and ...

When I say I have a lot of catching up to do, I mean a lot!

[scribbles 'Archduke Trio' on notepad]

[Elgarian]

I've listened to samples of the Immerseel and it seemed impressive.

I can go on raving about the Immerseel 5th Symphony for as long as you like. It's the Voice that Spoke to Job from the Whirlwind. It's the Coming of Leviathan, from the Deep. (Stop me if I go over the top.)

[karlhenning]

I can go on raving about the Immerseel 5th Symphony for as long as you like. It's the Voice that Spoke to Job from the Whirlwind. It's the Coming of Leviathan, from the Deep. (Stop me if I go over the top.)

You've really come along as a result of those Raving Lessons!  Newman's sojourn among us shall not have been in vain.

[DavidRoss]

I can go on raving about the Immerseel 5th Symphony for as long as you like. It's the Voice that Spoke to Job from the Whirlwind. It's the Coming of Leviathan, from the Deep. (Stop me if I go over the top.)

Okay, we'll let you know if you go too far.     I also especially like the 3rd, 4th, and 6th from this set. 

Do you really not yet know the Archduke?  Here's a taste from youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nSk2oNs9_c&feature=related

[Gurn Blanston]

Love it, too, Dave!  Haven't heard a period instrument performance to compare with my faves, however.  Which do you suggest?

I am very pleased with L'Archibudelli on Sony/Vivarte. Coupled with "Ghost" of course... Wish it had been with the other Op 70 trio, but it isn't, and there you go...   Anyway, Immerseel is playing the fortepiano in this version, so you can hear him doing what he does best.

[DavidW]

Gurn speaks for me too since he is my introduction to HIP anything.  L'Archibudelli is my fav ensemble for classical chamber anything though.  Their late Haydn PTs is a desert island recording for me.

[Elgarian]

Do you really not yet know the Archduke? Here's a taste from youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nSk2oNs9_c&feature=related

No, I really don't. Eventually, after beavering away through the symphonies, several sonatas, and the late quartets, I just stopped, apart from occasional revisits to the symphonies. There was so much music I enjoyed so much more, that it seemed like beating my head against a wall. Believe me, I'm delighted to have made this symphonic breakthrough, but I know I'm running close to saturation when I take into account all the other discoveries I've been making.

[DavidW]

but I know I'm running close to saturation when I take into account all the other discoveries I've been making.

Yeah if you'll push yourself too hard you'll turn into Mr Snipper, and you wouldn't want that!

[Rod Corkin]

Which HIP recording is your favorite?

I've listened to samples of the Immerseel and it seemed impressive.

Immerseel's tempo is too safe throughout, he seems to consistantly just miss that edge you need with Beethoven, and this was the general opinion. The playing is good though, as is the sound quality. Immerseel himself is the weak link. There is no perfect set on its own in my opinion, but if you have Norrington's set and the Hanover Band set, and Savall's Eroica, then between them all you'll be able to pick out a decent compilation. Maybe throw in a couple from Gardiner's, Hogwood's you can leave out altogether really.

[DavidRoss]

No, I really don't. Eventually, after beavering away through the symphonies, several sonatas, and the late quartets, I just stopped, apart from occasional revisits to the symphonies. There was so much music I enjoyed so much more, that it seemed like beating my head against a wall. Believe me, I'm delighted to have made this symphonic breakthrough, but I know I'm running close to saturation when I take into account all the other discoveries I've been making.

Cool, put it on the back burner, but when it's time don't forget the Florestan Trio's Archduke (or the Beaux Art's).  [Much as I love period strings, drums, winds, & brass, I've never heard anything close to the richness of a modern piano].

Immerseel's tempo is too safe throughout, he seems to consistantly just miss that edge you need with Beethoven, and this was the general opinion. The playing is good though, as is the sound quality. Immerseel himself is the weak link. There is no perfect set on its own in my opinion, but if you have Norrington's set and the Hanover Band set, and Savall's Eroica, then between them all you'll be able to pick out a decent compilation. Maybe throw in a couple from Gardiner's, Hogwood's you can leave out altogether really.

Ha ha!  I just knew you'd be a Snorrington or Goodman fan!  I love it--you're almost a perfect reverse-taste barometer!  Do you by chance post reviews on Amazon under the name "Santa Fe Listener?"

[DavidW]

Cool, put it on the back burner, but when it's time don't forget the Florestan Trio's Archduke (or the Beaux Art's). 

+1

Florestan Trio is great, and I have both BAT recordings and they are sublime.

[Brian]

Immerseel's tempo is too safe throughout, he seems to consistantly just miss that edge you need with Beethoven, and this was the general opinion. The playing is good though, as is the sound quality. Immerseel himself is the weak link. There is no perfect set on its own in my opinion, but if you have Norrington's set and the Hanover Band set, and Savall's Eroica, then between them all you'll be able to pick out a decent compilation. Maybe throw in a couple from Gardiner's, Hogwood's you can leave out altogether really.

Wow, we really do have opposite tastes, assuming you mean Norrington/London Classical Players, which I found rather dull. Norrington in Stuttgart is another matter. Nobody beats Hogwood's 2 and 4!