Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Günter Wand, NDR Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"; Symphony No. 8

A routine Eroica is followed by a winning Sym. #8

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 06/30/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Gunter Wand's adoration by British critics used to bother me more than a little. Wand's career was created by critics, who raised him up almost overnight from his posiiton as a provincial conductor of the NDR orchestra to the heights of a Klemperer or Karajan. This Beethoven CD reinforces my hesitation in believing the hype.



The orchestra plays well, although not for a moment would you suspect the NDR musicians of being world class. They follow Wand in his comfortable traversal through the Eroica--fairly brisk first movement, unusually quick Funeal March with no attempt at tragedy, lively Scherzo with attractive horn calls in the trio, and a reasonably energetic finale. Of personal interpretation there is none, which I guess comes as a relief to some critics. If you heard this Eroica on the radio, you'd guess that it couldn't be by Bernstein, Karajan, Tennstedt, Klemperer, or Walter. It's just attractive, easy-going music.



The Eighth has a reputation for being one of Beethoven's 'feminine' symphonies, yet Wand surprises us by launching in with more vigor and incisiveness than his Eroica. He bothers to phrase, though not a lot, and as usual keeps the tempos briks and the balances clear. By the time the vivacious Scherzo comes along, you're thinking this is more aggreeable than the heavy weather that Karajan, Furtwangler, and Bernstein make of the Eighth. Here's a work Wand is tuned in to. The finale is as light as Mendelssohn's fairy music, with a good contrast in the dramatic parts. All in al, a winner."