Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien - Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (2016)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 322 Mb | Total time: 70:45 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Sony Classical | # 88875136452 | Recorded: 2015
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 322 Mb | Total time: 70:45 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Sony Classical | # 88875136452 | Recorded: 2015
Nikolaus Harnoncourt and his period orchestra, Concentus Musicus Wien, never recorded a complete cycle of the symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven, and this 2016 Sony release is their only recording of the Symphony No. 4 in B flat major and the Symphony No. 5 in C minor, made almost ten months before the conductor's death. Harnoncourt planned for this to be his last recording before his retirement, so it inevitably has the feeling of a valedictory performance, and one can also hear it as the orchestra's warm tribute to its leader and his sterling musicianship. But beyond the well-deserved accolades, this is a truly fine live recording of one of the most famous symphonies of all time and its somewhat less loved sibling, so the musical value of this singular Beethoven disc is quite high. Because the Symphony No. 4 is often overlooked, it's gratifying that it opens the album, and listeners are well advised to try it first.