"Superb performances that bring out all the power, grandure, and rhythmic intensity of two great Beethoven symphonies. This RCA CD, along with the previous CD of symphonies 3 and 8, are just fantastic and have rekindled my interest in the Beethoven symphony cycle. Note that these same forces joined with Japanese pianist Ikuyo Nakishima for fine performances of concertos 3 and 5 on Japanese RCA (try Japan CD or HMV Japan for purchase). I should also mention that the sound on all these CDs is fabulous."
The Beethoven cycle, rekindled.
Xyp | Cincinnati, OH | 01/27/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Living in Cincinnati, I have been fortunate enough to see Mr. Jarvi conduct quite a few times with the CSO. I've come away for the most part heartily impressed and occasionally a little disappointed. Such it is with artists and live performance. His strengths, I've learned, generally tend to lie in the realm of "newer" music (i.e. Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Part, Lutoslawski, etc.) than that of the romantic warhorses. However, it is also important to note that he has had huge periodic successes with some of the biggest pieces in the romantic repertoire- and for this reason must be seen as one of the more dynamic and capable conductors around today.
I am enormously pleased to say that Mr. Jarvi has proven to me more than once in recent memory (his Beethoven 9th and violin concerto live in concert both come to mind) that his Beethoven is among the best there is to be had anywhere. This Beethoven cycle by Mr. Jarvi and the Kammerphilharmonie Bremen is (so far) stunningly well executed. This group is having a tremendous amount of fun, and every bit of it is coming across. The dynamics are as near to perfect as I've ever heard in Beethoven, and the recording quality bears this out. Both this disc as well as the prior release of the 3rd and 8th can be characterized by that moment when you pop the CD in, and within a couple minutes you're smiling and turning it up. It has rekindled my interest in the Beethoven symphony cycle, and I look forward to the upcoming releases."
A real treat!!
Mark Wagner | Austin, Texas | 01/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW, I have to say I am beyond impressed with this SACD. I hate to admit that I have sort of become disenchanted with Paavo Jarvi in the past year or two with the sometimes killer/sometimes dull recordings he has done with Cincinnati for Telarc. However, right from the start this recording grabbed me by the ears and never let go. Sheer excitement, passion, intensity...it is all there...in droves. Very impressive and best of all, the band from Bremen sounds like they are having quite a bit of fun!!
The sound also blew me away, and I quickly learned why when I saw that the fabulous gang from Polyhymnia (think Pentatone and Caro Mitis) was the team in the control room...way to go guys!!!
Heartily recommended!!"
Absolutely essential recordings
Scott E. Peterman | Oneida, NY USA | 01/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm one of those people who used to believe that, to be performed properly, the symphonies of Beethoven require a full symphony orchestra. I recently purchased this CD and found that I had to alter that view.
In the booklet insert of this disc, a review by Christophe Huss is quoted, and I cannot express my view of these performances any better than he. Huss states:
"It was probably inevitable that some day a `true master' would transform the eloquence of the Baroque specialists into music. Paavo Jarvi is the master in that respect, because his Beethoven is not rhythmic in a simplistic way or aggressive. He enjoys shaping the music, particularly with precise crescendos, distinct accents, and tiny but always consistent pianissimos. His Beethoven is uncompromising, terse, trenchant, and, above all, clear. He does not let himself be made a fool of by some tradition or other and does not become slower when the music is soft. There is a tremendous excitement with him, even in the smallest nuances. ...a Beethoven who is an heir to the Enlightenment. It is astounding, clear, convincing. I have never heard it like this."
These are as close to definitive performances of these symphonies as you can get. They demand to be listened to, and the more you listen to them, the more you enjoy them. The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and Paavo Jarvi have set the bar to a new height. They are outstanding in every way, and if you don't have multi-channel SACD equipment, do yourself a favor and get some so you can hear these historic recordings in all their grandeur.