In Reply to: Yes, but. . . posted by Chris from Lafayette on March 23, 2011 at 16:29:07:
but I've been disappointed with the chamber orchestra versions of Beethoven I've heard.
Harnoncourt's with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe comes immediately to mind. In terms of wind/string balance, it's better than, say, Szell and the Clevelanders or Bernstein/NYP. The problem with Harnoncourt's brass players is that they slam and punch everything--their sound isn't sonorous like the Collegium Aureum brass. Also, I don't care at all for the sound of the COE's solo oboe.
Another disappointing chamber orchestra series, from the standpoint of brass sonority, is the Paavo Jarvi/Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie on RCA. More slam and punch, and the brass section isn't even as forward as on the Harnoncourt recordings. In fact, these are pretty much string-centered performances.
I keep coming back to the recent Beethoven series by Vanska/Minnesota on BIS. Even though it's Big Band Beethoven, the winds are fairly prominent. Vanska just doesn't understand the proper role of the trumpet in Beethoven, however--but then, I can't name a single conductor who does.
Admittedly, these considerations take a back seat to the overall interpretation, but they are things I do look for.
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Follow Ups
- Haven't heard that one... - C.B. 17:51:49 03/23/11 (15)
- CB - please elaborate on this sentence: - jult52 06:29:06 03/24/11 (13)
- RE: CB - please elaborate on this sentence: - C.B. 07:51:06 03/24/11 (12)
- I'd love to read your article - rbolaw 12:46:45 03/25/11 (1)
- Some agreement, some dis- - Charlie F. 15:30:36 03/25/11 (0)
- I have the '62 Klempie/Philharmonia Nº 39 on CD … - Charlie F. 13:15:22 03/24/11 (9)
- Thanks... - C.B. 14:35:38 03/24/11 (8)
- Um, here’s what I read … - Charlie F. 14:52:24 03/24/11 (7)
- I was confused... - C.B. 15:55:26 03/24/11 (6)
- “Confused” is my middle name. - Charlie F. 20:20:42 03/24/11 (5)
- The 1956 Klemperer... - Kas 08:06:06 03/25/11 (4)
- We're looking for the 1962... - C.B. 09:18:02 03/25/11 (3)
- That is “MY” 4-CD set. (:~) - Charlie F. 12:30:20 03/25/11 (0)
- Well, that's easy... - Kas 09:28:05 03/25/11 (1)
- Nope... - C.B. 12:36:19 03/25/11 (0)
- RE: Haven't heard that one... - Chris from Lafayette 18:26:32 03/23/11 (0)