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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: lisa needs braces on August 30, 2007, 07:58:26 PM

Title: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: lisa needs braces on August 30, 2007, 07:58:26 PM
What are the differences between them? I know two of them are pretty similar as they both contain a certain sequence I always look forward to, but which is the odd one out? And what do you think of these works? Currently it seems the only time I hear classical music is when my alarm clock goes off in the morning, and this morning it was the Leonore overture No. 3 playing. It was glorious!

Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Holden on August 30, 2007, 11:33:31 PM
The odd one out is No 2 and I prefer it to 1 and 3. So did Bruno Walter in his classic recording with the Columbia SO couple with his equally famous Pastorale
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: BachQ on August 31, 2007, 03:30:12 AM
I prefer #3 ....... It's LvB's "final word" on the matter ........
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Hector on August 31, 2007, 04:40:23 AM
Quote from: D Minor on August 31, 2007, 03:30:12 AM
I prefer #3 ....... It's LvB's "final word" on the matter ........

No, they found Leonore overture No. IV in a rat hole in a house in Vienna!

It was 'edited' by Malcolm Arnold.

I always thought that Leonore No I was the odd one out. II is the least played and III still gets played between the Fidelio acts.
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Cato on August 31, 2007, 09:09:51 AM
Quote from: Hector on August 31, 2007, 04:40:23 AM
...and III still gets played between the Fidelio acts.

I remember reading that Gustav Mahler started that tradition when he was conducting in Vienna.

In the 1990's I attended a Cologne Philharmonic concert with my son, where
Arvo Part's 3 symphonies alternated with the 3 Leonore Overtures.

Interesting that the Third Symphony of Part, like the Leonore III, was the best, although my son, age 10 at the time, liked the Second Symphony also, because it contained a part where the orchestra members get into a fight and walk out.   :o
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: lisa needs braces on September 02, 2007, 07:45:07 PM
Quote from: Holden on August 30, 2007, 11:33:31 PM
The odd one out is No 2 and I prefer it to 1 and 3. So did Bruno Walter in his classic recording with the Columbia SO couple with his equally famous Pastorale

No, I think No. 1 may the odd one out. No. 3 is a revision of No. 2.

Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Hector on September 03, 2007, 06:12:15 AM
Quote from: Cato on August 31, 2007, 09:09:51 AM
I remember reading that Gustav Mahler started that tradition when he was conducting in Vienna.

In the 1990's I attended a Cologne Philharmonic concert with my son, where
Arvo Part's 3 symphonies alternated with the 3 Leonore Overtures.

Interesting that the Third Symphony of Part, like the Leonore III, was the best, although my son, age 10 at the time, liked the Second Symphony also, because it contained a part where the orchestra members get into a fight and walk out.   :o

Didn't the Beethoven highlight the poverty of Part?

Having said that I bought a recording of the 3rd because it had enthralled me on the radio late one evening on a drive home.
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on September 03, 2007, 12:51:13 PM
Quote from: Hector on August 31, 2007, 04:40:23 AM
N
I always thought that Leonore No I was the odd one out. II is the least played and III still gets played between the Fidelio acts.
I think that practice is rare nowadays. It used to get played before the final act but for some reason it never quite worked out. Some claimed that the dramatic and rather lengthy nature of III sort of made the final act anti-climatic. Personally I think III works much better in the concert setting.
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Cato on September 04, 2007, 06:26:01 AM
Quote from: Hector on September 03, 2007, 06:12:15 AM
Didn't the Beethoven highlight the poverty of Part?

Having said that I bought a recording of the 3rd because it had enthralled me on the radio late one evening on a drive home.

Yes, the Symphonies 1 and 2 of Part (umlaut not possible on my computer) were "weak" except for the tumultuous scherzo of the Second mentioned above.

The Third showed the composer's Renaissance renaissance.

Beethoven's 3 attempts at a Leonore overture were more muscular!
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Hector on September 04, 2007, 07:23:25 AM
Quote from: Cato on September 04, 2007, 06:26:01 AM
Yes, the Symphonies 1 and 2 of Part (umlaut not possible on my computer) were "weak" except for the tumultuous scherzo of the Second mentioned above.

The Third showed the composer's Renaissance renaissance.

Beethoven's 3 attempts at a Leonore overture were more muscular!

Strange, but not unusual, I have never been able to replicate the enjoyment of this work I had whilst driving.
Title: Re: Beethoven's Leonore Overtures 1-3
Post by: Cato on September 04, 2007, 09:54:31 AM
Quote from: Hector on September 04, 2007, 07:23:25 AM
Strange, but not unusual, I have never been able to replicate the enjoyment of this work I had whilst driving.

I have had the same experience: somehow the original impression of delight, power, etc, even with the same CD, is just not there!

Different emotional mood later...who knows!