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Beethoven Symphony No. 5 - Kleiber, VPO, DG [cd]
Sometimes it's good to play a popular piece and learn, once again, what a genius Beethoven was. Possibly the most perfect symphony ever written and undoubtedly the best performance on record. Simply thrilling to listen to.
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Prompted after a programme on Radio 4 this afternoon, which has given me a deeper understanding of this fantastic work.
The first movement is stark and really quite unsettling but perhaps not as terrifying as the first movement of the ninth. In the latter, Mahler was clearly afraid of dying, in the former he seems to have accepted it but the other-worldliness is quite apparent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim
The Maureen Lipman character in 'Educating Rita' had it nailed, I reckon:
Quote:
'Wouldn't you just die without Mahler?'
Now (on vinyl) Chopin Nocturnes Vol.2, Peter Katin, recorded in 1958 on Decca Eclipse.
Next (on vinyl) Schubert, The Trout Quintet in A Major, Clifford Curzon with the Vienna Octet, recorded in 1968 on Decca Ace of Diamonds.
Hey, I could quite get into this classical malarkey - the sound quality on these early original releases on vinyl is simply breathtaking!! :eek:
Marco.
Some very good choices there Marco :)
And Chris . . . . indeed and I couldn't live without Mahler either - I think if someone said you could only take one classical composer's work to a desert island, it would be a very hard choice but ultimately it would have to be Mahler.
I think for me it would be a close run thing between Beethoven and Mahler.
Oi loikes me Shostakovich - dark and brooding to slit your wrists to! :eyebrows:
Marco.
Shossie is fab, but perhaps doesn't cover a huge span of emotions. As you say, dark and brooding most of the time. Have you tried his 13th Symphony? :eek:
Indeed... Cheery isn't it? :eyebrows:
I usually listen to that one in the dark in the small hours of the morning, particularly during the winter months when its snowing outside, and as I watch the snowflakes falling, the room lit only by the glow of my valve amps, disturbing thoughts enter my mind......
Marco.