Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Osmo Vänskä (Conductor), Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Minnesota Orchestra
• Conductor: Osmo Vänskä
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Bis
• ASIN: B00076AE3U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,986 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brisk and with a sense of purpose, April 29, 2005

By 

o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (Audio CD)

It's a good job I wasn't eating my cereal listening to this disc. There'd be Cheerios everywhere. Osms Vanska's take on 4 & 5 is met out with a sense of purpose, in fact, a very youthful determination, which gave me the impression that the symphony moved with a dynamic I haven't heard before. Kind of like a Robert Fripp and King Crimson approach to Beethoven, via the double trio. In other words, this aint von Karajan or Ozawa. No long drawn out pathos, no sense of an older man contemplating his fate. More of an intentionality and direction is on offer here. It is a different reading, and it works, but, as I say, mind the flakes and the raisins. The Minnesota team is recorded intimately and that makes for a fascinating listen. It could be me, but I was more aware of double basses, winds, horns and tympani than I ever have with these two symphonies. If it is so, I can't help but think that LB would be smiling broadly. The Fourth begins with a barely audible whisper and whips itself into a frenzy worthy of Crimson at its most ferocious. The Fifth is, as I say, less contemplating fate than determined to address it. Both head towards those great Beethoven finales. Lord, he loved a big finish. And you'll feel completely swept away by them with an exhilaration. Quite an adrenalin rush. Often themes are slightly blurred in the Fourth. Vanska makes that something to celebrate. He must have been impressed with the results, for he moves with nary a breath from the third into the fourth movements of #5 so dramatically, that I had to check the CD spinner to see which track I was on.
It all works, and this is a dramatic new reading (for me, anyway) of two pieces I know so well that I ma thrilled by the recording. I suspect Vanska likes a quicker tempo anyway, if you refer to his reading of Rautavarra's 8th it's also one that moves along. No dawdling about navel gazing for this guy.
Well worth the price and something to get you out of bed in the morning to boot.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's room for another Beethoven cycle!, February 21, 2005

By 

Justin Windschitl (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (Audio CD)

I was extremely skeptical of the Minnesota Orchestra's decision to release ANOTHER cycle of Beethoven symphonies in a market saturated with quality performances. With that, it took me awhile to purchase the cd, and I only did so after reading and hearing rave performance reviews. Quite simply, this cd contains the best recordings of 4 and 5 i've ever heard. Beethoven is so delicate, subtle, and intricate - difficult music the Minnesota Orchestra plays with incredible intensity and precision. The strings are very well balanced, and the low strings are OUTSTANDING, especially in the trio of the 5th. The winds are so wonderfully in tune I found myself listening to the cd again to seek out flaws, only to discover the performance is as good as I first believed. Both symphonies are paced well - moving along to stay exciting, yet not glossing over the importance and beauty of the music. I continually felt as though Vanska and the musicians had a clear sense of direction in phrasing decisions, which also aided in the overall flow of the work. The recording quality is amazing - every detail can clearly be heard, and I have yet to listen to the cd on the SACD layer. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the prominence and skill of the Minnesota Orchestra, I urge you to purchase this cd and experience the talent of this ensemble. If you remain skeptical, read the complimentary reviews for other Minnesota Orchestra cds on the Amazon website.

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to anyone's collection, March 4, 2005

By 

G. Anderson (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (Audio CD)

This is stunning. It is difficult to find words that adequately describe this wonderful recording.

Vanska doesn't break any new ground as far as any unusual interpretation of these often recorded symphonies. However, this CD demonstrates what followers of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra have known since Vanska took over as conductor in 2003: Vanska has elevated the orchestra to a new level of excellence. I'm not sure if he has pushed the musicians harder (like Szell) or is better able to draw the full potential from the musicians. Either way, this recording is an opportunity for music lovers everywhere to experience Vanska and the Minnesota Orchestra. To do a Beethoven Symphony cycle as the first major recording under Vanska says a lot about the vitality and confidence of the orchestra and conductor.

The interpretation of both symphonies is fairly straightforward. The reason I think this recording is better than others I've heard is because the recording is wonderfully clear and the different sections and parts are balanced and performed perfectly. For example, the winds in the second movement of the 4th symphony are stunningly clear and play their parts perfectly. On some recordings the low strings and winds are lost or somewhat muddled, particularly in the 3rd movement of the 5th symphony. Not here! It sounds very close to a perfectly performed live concert.

Although the orchestra and conductor create the music, the recording engineer should share honors for capturing the magic on this recording. It is simply marvelous.