COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: Supraphon Karel Ancerl Gold Edition
WORKS: Symphony No. 5; Piano Concerto No. 4; Romance No. 2
PERFORMER: Josef Pálenícek (piano), David Oistrakh (violin); Czech PO/Karel Ancerl
CATALOGUE NO: SU 3685-2
Beethoven is a constant in historical reissues and both Ancerl and Weingartner have an old-fashioned approach to the Fifth Symphony, though it’s Weingartner, often seen as the archetype of German Classical conducting, who is freer with rubato: Ancerl, with his richer orchestral sound, plays the music much straighter. His fill-ups are a rather sober account of the Fourth Piano Concerto and a poised Second Romance from Oistrakh: the real point of interest on the Weingartner disc is his orchestration of the Hammerklavier Sonata, an experience like seeing an old friend in heavy disguise, but worth sampling in a good transfer at budget price.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5; Piano Concerto No. 4; Romance No. 2
Beethoven is a constant in historical reissues and both Ancerl and Weingartner have an old-fashioned approach to the Fifth Symphony, though it’s Weingartner, often seen as the archetype of German Classical conducting, who is freer with rubato: Ancerl, with his richer orchestral sound, plays the music much straighter.
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:52 pm