Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 6 "Pastoral" & 8; King Stephen Overture

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
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This is an inspired and inspiring performance. I think this is one of the best of "The Bernstein Century" reissues, and the Sixth is one of the best versions of this symphony ever recorded in my opinion, and one of the better symphonies in Bernstein's earlier Beethoven cycle with the NYPO. The first movement takes a more jaunty pace than traditional, but it seems to work and the whole thing cascades into a wonderful crescendo at about 10 minutes into the movement. The sound is excellent, much better than most other Bernstein recordings from Avery Fisher Hall in the 60's. You can hear wonderful orchestral detail and the NYPO are really spot on in this performance. The programmatic nature of the piece is emphasized and you can really feel the storm and then the calm afterwards. This version is marginally better than Bernstein's later Sixth with the VPO even though the timings are almost identical (although the advantage with his later DG version is you can buy it in a boxed set with the whole cycle). This one compares favorably with Ashkenazy's Philharmonia version on Decca, Bohm's version from the 1970's with the VPO, and Guilini's version with the La Scala Philharmonic on Sony. All are quite good. The Eighth is equally impressive with incisive rhythyms and good, if not excellent, sound.

This CD, featuring the Sixth ("Pastoral") and Eighth Symphonies, is one of the best albums from the Beethoven-Sony Bernstein cycle. The only other superb album will have to be the one featuring the Third "Eroica" and his discussion on "How a Great Symphony is Written."

In the "Pastoral" Symphony, Bernstein makes the work about 45 minues, which is relatively average. He takes the first movement rather boldly and quickly, more energetic than most other recordings. Plus, he repeats the exposition (something I prefer in first movements for all symphonies, except the Ninth). In the second and third movements, however, the tempo is slightly sluggish. Not exactly fitting to my taste, but it's still brilliantly played. Lenny maintains the Beethovenian power and charm in the last two movements.

In the Eighth, which I am less critical of, Bernstein and his orchestra play beautifully, without any sign of blandness or excessive outpour of emotions.

It may be considered musical blasphemy to say it, but Beethoven's Sixth Symphony is the best of the nine, from its wondrously flowing opening to its gentle denouement. There is never a moment of drag in the work as the listener is drawn into the musical portrait of a country afternoon, complete with a thunderstorm. Each movement builds on the next, carrying the listener along. It was a perfect vehicle for the conducting skills of Leonard Bernstein, a Romantic in the truest sense of the word. His years with the New York Philharmonic were a pinnacle of achievement in American arts. Here, his flamboyance and exuberance are not distractions in the least, but rather give full voice to one of Beethoven's most melodic and harmonious compositions. If one is on a tight budget and cannot afford a complete cycle of the Beethoven symphonies, this single disk gives one a grand window into Beethoven's symphonic genius and grandeur. It also serves as a fine introduction to how Beethoven reworked the idea and concept of a symphony, moving it from classicism into a the new artistic approach of Romanticism. Start here, then move more deeply into the canon. Mr. Bernstein's recordings of the Beethoven cycle with the Philharmonic are well worth the investment, but this volume stands above the rest. Enjoy!

For comparison, also listen to Herbert Von Karajan's Beethoven cycle with the Berlin Philharmonic. For historical recordings, also seek out Bruno Walter's cycle as well as Furtwangler's from the middle of last century.

The 6 symphony I think is quite good. But the horns in the third movement of the 6 symphony sound as though they are choking. It is a nuisance.Abbado's and Leinsdorf's are better than this 3 movement. The 8 symphony is well done. Speed is moderate which is typical Bernstein. I would give Eric Leinsdorf's 6 symphony with the Boston symphony Orchestra an edge over this one because that set has a good third movement. I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the lousy horns in the 3rd movement of the 6 symphony. This is overall quite good.

Probably the best version of Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. It feels like the natural way this melodic, uplifting, and surprising symphony was intended to be performed. (Though I do tend to skip the storm movement.) Musical things are happening throughout on different levels at once. Very thrilling and satisfying. Nice to dance to too.

I listened to Bruno Walter's version recently too. It was surprising how stiff and unflowing that version is. It made me appreciate this version even more.