Kleiber: Beethoven – Symphonie No. 6 (APE)

Orchestra: Bavarian State Orchestra
Conductor: Carlos Kleiber
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Audio CD
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Orfeo
Size: 200 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

I have seven different versions of Beethoven’s Pastoral. This one is, by far, the best. Some compalin that his interpretation of the tempo is poor, and off the mark. First, this is factually incorrect. Kleiber is simply the first person of the modern era to follow Beethoven’s OWN tempo markings. The first movement is 8.34 long (Compared to Solti’s interpretation at 11.47 and Karajan’s at 9, and Rattle’s at 12.36). This fast tempo is weird at first only because we aren’t used to it, but once one allows it to penetrate them, they realize a Pastoral Symphony that is not pretentious. One that shows the pure enlightment of a man who has conqured his Fate and is now exuberant to return to the country.

Compared with von Karajan’s sloppiness, and Rattle’s almost sleepy interpretation, Kleiber’s is a breath of fresh air. Also, towards the end of the first movement he quiets the rest of the orchestra so that the singing birds may really come through. This piece is filled with many other such surprises which make it a must purchase for any Classical library.

By M. Muckler “Nwarth”

1. Symphony No. 6 in F major (‘Pastoral’), Op. 68: Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankinft auf dem Lande. Allegro ma non troppo
2. Symphony No. 6 in F major (‘Pastoral’), Op. 68: Szene am Bach. Andante molto mosso
3. Symphony No. 6 in F major (‘Pastoral’), Op. 68: Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute. Allegro
4. Symphony No. 6 in F major (‘Pastoral’), Op. 68: Gewitter, Sturm. Allegro
5. Symphony No. 6 in F major (‘Pastoral’), Op. 68: Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm. Allegretto
6. Applause