Search - Paavo Jarvi :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7

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.

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