2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lesser-known Beethoven, exquisitely wrought by the SCO, August 21, 2005
This review is from: Creatures of Prometheus (Audio CD)
While this is one of the lesser-known works in the Beethoven canon, it is by no means deserving of its relative obscurity. As the liner notes indicate, this ballet (commissioned & composed in 1801) marks the first forays by Beethoven into his Romantic style, leaving behind the Classical forms of the previous decade. As he composed this music, he was opening doors that would lead to the masterpieces of the coming decade.
It is also interesting music inasmuch as Beethoven employed scoring unique to this piece. The notes indicate that he never wrote again for the bassett horn, other than for this piece. The harp is featured prominently throughout the ballet, as is the solo cello. Good luck trying to find other Beethoven compositions that sound like this.
As usual, Mackerras & the SCO never fails to delight. I have added yet another SCO recording to my collection which is simply wonderful. I have yet to come across a recording by the SCO that isn't absolutely top-notch. Any serious Beethoven devotee should have this recording, as should any admirer of the SCO. Just marvelous in every respect!
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