I'm still reading Jan Swafford's chapter on the Eroica -- it's quite lengthy -- which draws me to performances of the third. I must confess I've never been wholly satisfied with any hard-copy recording in my library. Either the performance isn't propulsive or fiery enough, recorded sound isn't up to snuff, or one or more orchestra sections don't project with authority. Having listened to Chailly / Leipzig several times and quite liking it, I gave Jansons/Bavarian Radio Symphony a try and find I enjoy it too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmfLIerVubk
I then moved on to Thielemann/VPO with much apprehension. (Mr Thielemann and I don't alway see eye to eye.) What I've heard thus far is far different from Chailly/Jansons. Slower (but not overly slow). Obvious use of tempo rubato and what some might term 'milking'. Much to my surprise, it works for me. I quite enjoy it in its very different way. Again, I've not heard it all, and might alter my opinion. For now I'll give movement one a firm thumbs-up. (A confession. During one of Thielemann's tempo rubato passages I found the results pleasing my eyes misted for a moment. I'm used to tears during the second moment, but not so much with the first.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC8LjoIaS4g
Addendum: I have now listened to the entire Thielemann/VPO Eroica. Alas. The second movement proved a disappointment. Too slow overall, with tempo adjustments that didn't work for me. (It almost comes to a stop at times.) On the other hand, I found the scherzo principal section quite enjoyable...it brought a smile to my face. Its Trio didn't come off badly. The worst I can say for it is that, like almost every performance of the Eroica I've encountered, the low horn didn't speak with enough authority. (I'd love to hear Sarah Willis perform this. She, if anyone, could do the low horn part justice.) The finale wasn't half bad. Tempo rubato was mostly kept under control and confined to the spots you'd expect it. I liked some of it and found none of it objectionable. I found the horns slightly too subdued in much of the coda, another common failing. So I mixed review from me. I continue to find the opening movement well worth a listen.
On other matters, I just listened to (for the umpteenth time) a performance I can wholeheartedly endorse, Schubert's Erlkonig as transpired for solo piano by Franz Liszt, played by a young Marina Yakhalakova. Here's proper tempo rubato! I've heard many a virtuoso dash through this lickity-split not dropping a note. But Ms Yakhalakova brings out the poetry. I hear individual voices uttering their lines (in translation of course). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7DR0QJru-A
PS: I hope folk don't mind me sometimes stating personal opinions about what I listen to. It just seems to me that when I provide links I should also justify why I find them worth following.
I then moved on to Thielemann/VPO with much apprehension. (Mr Thielemann and I don't alway see eye to eye.) What I've heard thus far is far different from Chailly/Jansons. Slower (but not overly slow). Obvious use of tempo rubato and what some might term 'milking'. Much to my surprise, it works for me. I quite enjoy it in its very different way. Again, I've not heard it all, and might alter my opinion. For now I'll give movement one a firm thumbs-up. (A confession. During one of Thielemann's tempo rubato passages I found the results pleasing my eyes misted for a moment. I'm used to tears during the second moment, but not so much with the first.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC8LjoIaS4g
Addendum: I have now listened to the entire Thielemann/VPO Eroica. Alas. The second movement proved a disappointment. Too slow overall, with tempo adjustments that didn't work for me. (It almost comes to a stop at times.) On the other hand, I found the scherzo principal section quite enjoyable...it brought a smile to my face. Its Trio didn't come off badly. The worst I can say for it is that, like almost every performance of the Eroica I've encountered, the low horn didn't speak with enough authority. (I'd love to hear Sarah Willis perform this. She, if anyone, could do the low horn part justice.) The finale wasn't half bad. Tempo rubato was mostly kept under control and confined to the spots you'd expect it. I liked some of it and found none of it objectionable. I found the horns slightly too subdued in much of the coda, another common failing. So I mixed review from me. I continue to find the opening movement well worth a listen.
On other matters, I just listened to (for the umpteenth time) a performance I can wholeheartedly endorse, Schubert's Erlkonig as transpired for solo piano by Franz Liszt, played by a young Marina Yakhalakova. Here's proper tempo rubato! I've heard many a virtuoso dash through this lickity-split not dropping a note. But Ms Yakhalakova brings out the poetry. I hear individual voices uttering their lines (in translation of course). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7DR0QJru-A
PS: I hope folk don't mind me sometimes stating personal opinions about what I listen to. It just seems to me that when I provide links I should also justify why I find them worth following.
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