Search - Paavo Jarvi, Deutsches Kammerphilharmonie Bremen :: Beethoven: Symphonies No. 6 Pastoral & 2

Recommended with Reservation

Prescott Cunningham Moore | 08/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have one complaint about this otherwise stunning Second. Jarvi elicits some strange timbres from the horns in the first movement (are they muted?) which is interesting to say the least but somewhat unexpected. In all other respects, this is a pretty spectacular Second that stands with Vanska's fine Second as modern reference performances. Jarvi takes the allegro at a reasonable pace, unearthing some fantastic details along the way. I particularly love the prominence given to the winds; has their piquant and puckish writing in the first tutti outburst ever registered with such clarity before or have the bassoon, oboe, and flute interjections at the beginning of the development ever been so prominent? I can think of no other recording with such an array of colors. Or course, the string and brass are equally wonderful, especially in the coda, where the trumpets are full-bodied but do not overwhelm the sonic landscape. The largretto is equally superb, Jarvi really highlighting the various mood-shifts throughout this pastoral movement. The scherzo is bumptious without sounding ponderous, while the trio is just a delight. Jarvi really underscores Beethoven's humor in the trio with a really big fortissimo after the quite string passage followed by the laughing of the lower strings and bassoon. This comic surprise and chuckle is exactly what Beethoven would have wanted. The finale is frothy fun, as it always is, but Jarvi adds depth with some really exceptional lower string playing. The coda is just magnificent, Jarvi again tapping into Beethoven brilliant comedy like a hand in a glove. All the mercurial twists and turns, the fake cadences, the comic wind chirping, smile from the speakers. A joy from start to finish.



I take more issue with the Sixth, as I expected I would, due mainly to the size of the orchestra. But first, Jarvi's interpretation. The first two movements are as good as any, Jarvi adopting wonderful tempos for each. The scene by the brook is particularly wonderful, all the birdcalls registering with appropriate beauty and charm. The scherzo is appropriately buoyant and ruckus while the drunken stumble is handled quite well. The storm is fierce and while Jarvi does not shape the finale storm outburst like some (Vanska immediately comes to mind), I can think of few conductors that handle the end of the storm so well. Jarvi slows the tempo allowing both the oboe to sound appropriately thankful and the lower strings to sound like distant thunder. The finale is equally fine, especially do to some vigorous playing from the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie. The final hymn is appropriately organ-like, while the coda is perfectly paced, atmospheric, religious, and calm. My main issue with this performance rises from the fact that the small number of lower strings cannot create those deep pedal tones necessary to support a symphony with no percussion (thunderstorm excluded). Similarly, the violins cannot match the brass in the thunderstorm and while their small number creates great textural clarity, tension can falter a bit when the brass drop out, exposing a somewhat desiccated sounding string section. However, the smaller forces not only allow for textual clarity, but create an appropriately rustic sound in the outer movements and open up the sonic landscape in the extraordinary scene by the brook. Listeners wanting a really spectacular Sixth should look to Vanska's recent Minnesota recording on BIS, not to mention any of the great reference pastorales, like Bohm or Wand. But those collecting the cycle will be pleased with this entry and will certainly enjoy Jarvi's rustic journey through the countryside.



I feel somewhat guilty for taking issue with this magnificent release. It is such an extraordinary time for Beethoven lovers. This cycle, along with Vanska's, represent the new reference editions of the 21 century. And together, they offer extremes of the interpretive spectrum. Vanska is certainly in the tradition of the great Beethoven conductors of the past, like Szell or Wand, while Jarvi stands alongside Zinman and Haintink (in his recent London Symphony cycle) as a master of the historically informed performance. So, with my aforementioned reservation in mind, I recommend this release."

Actually, it is a hybrid disc

Millard Fullbore | New England | 08/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Amazon's description states that this disc requires SACD-compatible hardware, but the one they sent me, at least, is labeled as CD-compatible and did in fact play on a standard CD machine. Also, there is nothing to distinguish this "import" from the U.S. versions of the other discs in this Beethoven symphony series except the lack of an FBI piracy warning.



I found nothing at all to dislike either in Paavo Järvi's conducting or in the sound quality. The tonal balance was pleasingly warm with a slightly dry, up-front presence. The recording didn't lack at all for dynamic punch.



I have no idea why a U.S. version of this disc has been delayed so long, but until it appears it's well worth the couple of bucks more for this import.

"

Paavo Jarvi and Bremen players Amaze!

Matthew Lloyd Karr | Louisviile KY USA | 02/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently heard of this European Chamber Orchestra, and now I'm a fan. These Beethoven Symphonies are nothing short of a revelation! Their playing is clear and clean, vibrato free. The sound is is warm and rich, and Subito's and Sfzorzandi are extremely energetic. Simply put, the best Beethoven recordings in existence, and I should know....I have played Principal Bassoon in a Major USA Orchestra for 31 years! Matt K."