Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 & No. 5: "Egmont" Overture

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can always come back to this recording and remember when I first heard it. It made an impression on my young soul at the time that can never be shaken. If you like your Beethoven 'hot' then you should look no further. It is impassioned, expresive and very well played. Now that I am older, I am just beginning to appreciate the very nice subtlety in this recording as well.

This is the way I hear this music in my head. Lenny just made it easier.

But be warned, this is a 1960's era recording - you are now in the 5th row.

A very wonderful job of re-mastering I should add, this sounds better than ever on the new CD.

Yes - Bernstein has always taken the first movement of the fifth with weight!

I may agree that the first movement of Symp 5 is under where I hear it, however the playing is done with commitment, and the rest of the symphony is wonderful.

And yes, here Bernstein provides what may be the slowest recorded tempo of the first movement to date (perhaps it's worth it alone for that reason!?) -- however the freshness and vitality that LB and the NYP display on the Fourth Symphony is nothing short of breathtaking!

It's pure Bernstein - it's fresh, it's youthful, it's bliss, it's ecstasy. This is one of the finest takes of Beethoven 4 I know of - which is probably Beethoven's most under-estimated symphony. Bernstein captures the exact character needed to sell this work.

A very exciting read of Egmont as well.

This CD is WORTH THE FOURTH!!

This is simply a great recording of a great symphony. I have the original 1963 33rpm recording and the CD is as good or better. Yes, the first movement is slower than most but Bernstein's speed adds greater emotion. Those that have only listened to versions of the modern era that do not include all of the repeats will be a bit surprised. But remember, this is one of the only top quality recordings where all of the notes Beethoven wrote are played and played where he intended.

Leonard Bernstein was arguably the greatest musician alive in the twentieth century. His reign was the golden age of the New York Philharmonic whith innovation and artistry that made every performance a historical event. I personally would have given any number of important body parts to see this genius in front of one of the greatest orchestras that there ever was. Unfortunatly that is no longer possible. This recording and others in the series offer an excellent opportunity for those of us who couldn't see it live to experience a part of the magic that was Leonard Bernstein. Crystal clear recordings of intense energy allow the listener to truly realize the power that Berstein realized in Beethoven. The Fifth Symphony, one the best known and most influential symphonies ever, has an inherent energy and artistry in it that is so powerful that, when combined with the artistry and devotion given by Berstein, you have let it assault your soul. In short, If you always say to yourself "I should listen to more Beethoven," but never actually do, I would strongly recomend you give this one a try.

The real gem here is the performance of Beethoven's 4th Symphony. Bernstein brings to this reading the same interpretative qualities that made his Haydn symphony recordings so terrific. The performance does a fine job of encapsulating the work's Bacchanalian, often humorous, aspects without overshadowing its Apollonian poise and shows that the work is as revolutionary as any of Beethoven's middle period works.

Bernstein's recording of the 5th Symphony is somewhat less successful (though still fascinating). The magisterial tempo Bernstein takes in the 1st movement is by itself not a major problem, but the reading lacks the fire and vehemence that makes this movement truly unforgettable and even terrifying in the hands of conductors such as Carlos Kleiber. The same comments can be made for the 3rd movement. However, the performances of the other movements are both great. The Egmont Overture is a nice addition.

You would think a legendary conductor like Leonard Bernstein conducting a monumental work like Beethoven's 5th Symphony is a great combination. Unfortuantely it wasn't. Bernstein's tempo for the first movement is way too slow, the playing of the New York Philharmonic is somewhat relaxed. He does a better job in the inner movements. The second movement is majestic,and serene.The transition from the scherzo to the finale is really inspiring. But he chooses to take the repeat in the finale. Maybe its because I'm not used to it but that repeat makes the movement too long and takes some of the excitment form it.

I had purchased this CD of the 5th thinking that I could not go wrong with Bernstein, but then had the "misfortune" of hearing Kleiber's recording with the VPO on DG and realized just how lethargic and slow Bernstein's reading of the first movement is. The difference in time is well over 1 minute, and I now find it difficult listening to the Bernstein version without inwardly exulting them to speed it up. Of course, every great conductor is allowed their own interpretation, but I find that the NYPO on this recording sounds sluggish and anaesthetized.
(Sorry, but I cannot comment on the 4th since I am not educated enough on this particular work to make any critical review.)

If you're used to a speedy Fifth, like the conductor needs to go to the restroom, then this doubtless isn't for you.

However, I would suggest taking the performance on its own terms. The grandeur of Bernstein's direction is awe-inspiring; you don't get the sense of inexorable fate from a faster tempo.

And the slower 1st movement makes possible the likewise slower tempos in the concluding movements, which again are magisterial.

The energy of the performance never disappoints. This is my favorite Fifth.

I was extremely disappointed. I have been looking for this recording for several years. The disk I received is defective and contains only a portion of the Fifth Symphony.