CD REVIEW: Beethoven Symphonies 4 & 7

Beethoven: Symphonies No. 4 & 7

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Järvi

RCA/BMG (original Japanese release: 23 May 2007; recorded 2004/5)


Mostly Classics Magazine, July 2007

CD Review by Minoru Okamoto



Beethoven Standard of Today

Second installment of the complete recording of all nine Beethoven symphonies, which everyone has been waiting for


The second CD in a recording of the complete Beethoven symphonies by Paavo Järvi and The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen is again impressive because of the fantastic collaboration between conductor and orchestra. They have already established historically informed practice (HIP) – the use of original playing techniques on modern instruments – as a means of expressing their music. They present the most high-spirited music that anyone could ever create.


It rarely happens that a famous work which every listener knows appears with a completely new image. Hearing this CD makes it possible to relive the sense of excitement that Beethoven's music generated earlier. This complete recording of the Beethoven symphonies will undoubtedly become the new standard for the twenty-first century.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This series of reviews of 4 & 7 are quite accurate and, like those of 3 & 8, are understated if anything. This series is stunningly good. If you are reading this you are presumably a Paavo fan, and these recordings will confirm your enthusiasm. Based on past experience it may be a while before 4 & 7 are available in the US so you may want to order from Japan now. It's not cheap but it's not absurd either, and less than you'd probably be willing to pay for a decent concert seat.

PS: ignore the typo in the heading

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