Customer Reviews

Symphonies 5 & 6

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This is an outstanding recording muscially and in terms of sound. How come nobody told me about Zinman. There are so many good recordings of these pieces it's hard to believe one could make a big impression on me. I'm surprised that anybody (other reviewer on the site) didn't like it. It is faster than usual and some novelties due to new Baerenreiter edition but all eye opening. These days probably nobody owns only one recording of Beethoven symphonies so it's a must and it might be my choice if you're having only one.

This reading by Zinman is super quick and still manages to capture the essence of Beethoven. The orchestra is stripped to the essentials. Reduced orchestral weight leads to greater tonal clarity - something that Haitink also does with his Beethoven cycle with London Symohony Orchestra. With the leaner and more literal approach (as written on the page), we focus more on the essence of the pure musical content instead of theatrics and embellishments. The reading seems thin and elegant; clear, concise and crisp. In the third movement of the 6th, I can hear the cello's underlying theme more clearly and as a standout sound which I have not heard as distinctively in other recordings. Zinman cleans up the rough edges of Beethoven and gives us a smooth or aesthetic version of Beethoven - although not as smooth and aesthetic as Haitink. I think between the two (Haitink and Zinman), I prefer the Zinman treatment more although I am fan of the Haitink cycle as well. With Zinman, there is conciseness of form (compression of the broad spectrum of sound) but never losing the essence & overall dramatic effect. This CD also has a moving and stirring account of the 6th. Zinman's tempo is the fastest I have heard for the 6th. I was surprised that even with this fast speed, the 6th still had the effect when played slower - testament to the great quality of the music. This is a great CD with beautiful recorded sound quality, a fresh interpretation by Zinman and heavenly orchestral playing by the Tonhalle-Orchestra Zurich. After listening to this, I am going to get the complete Zinman Beethoven symphony cycle with Tonhalle-Orchestra Zurich.