Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Christoph von Dohnányi, Cleveland Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale"; Leonore Overture No. 3

Romantic Beethoven

D. Seymour | Atlanta, GA USA | 10/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Christoph von Dohnanyi's Beethoven cycle on Telarc is very much in the romantic tradition. If you want more authentic tempi, I would heartily recommend the Gardiner on Archiv or even the recent Abbado on DG. However, you will not find more depth or richness in the sound than on Telarc. Dohnanyi lingers over the phrases just long enough to evoke the scenery without becoming slushy. The orchestra may not be as animated as those on the above recordings but it is never dry. My only complaint is that the Leonore Overture No. 3 begins the disc. It's mood is quite similar to the symphony so it matches well, but I'd rather have my wafer thin mint after the main course."

Seeks a decent middle ground

Flyer Fan | 05/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before reading this, I have a short confession: I bought this CD when it first came out back in the 80's when it cost something like $17-$18, so the fact that I still have it is probably a good indicator of how I like it.



I've found that Christof's reading of #6 (and the other Beethoven symphonies in the series) to be a readily accessible reading that is grounded in the romantic tradition but doesn't hit you over the head with Romanticism. I suppose some would call it a copout, but I'm not very fond of the overly romantic readings of Beethoven's works; I keep wanting to yell at the speakers to "Knock it off, already! It's Beethoven for Pete's sake, not Brahms or Bruckner!" I've found that yes, I prefer the Gardner version more than this one, but more often than not I like to get this CD out to play when working or listening around the house.



My children have found #6 much to their liking; originally because it was "Fantasia Music!" as they put it, but now because they like the music itself. Their own imagination fills in the blanks. I don't think they care which version of #6 they listen to, but given the current price of this CD, it's really a bargain.



Technically, the CD was state of the art at the time (it is a Telarc CD, after all), and still holds up well to today's scrutiny.



The only reasons why I don't give this a 5 are twofold:

-The Leonore Overture should have gone last, rather than first.

-I honestly like a traditional reading more, like Gardner's.

"

A hasty reading with little feeling

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/05/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think lovers of either romantic Beehtoven or period Beethoven would like dohnanyi's reading, hwich is too fast to pause for lingering insights--or even much phrasing--and yet too heavy for a true period feeling. The Leonore #3 is exceptionally dull. But I should admit that in generl I find Dohnanyi dull. I bought this recording after hearing him conduct a lively, intense Beethoven 7th in Boston. Maybe you have to hear him live."