Post by sacateca on Feb 17, 2010 12:51:58 GMT 1
Hello.
i just listened to two versions of Beethoven's 6th, that from Anima Eterna (cond. Jos van Immerseel) and Karajan's version with BPO from 1984 on Karajan Gold series and thought i'd write a small review based on this listening. (Not that i really believe in deciding anything on basis of comparison but think that things should be estimated on their own, not on how they compare to others).
Obviously Immerseel's version is entirely faithful to the script, in this sense i would call it definitive, as i'm sure that was the intention. It's very pretty and detailed - one can easily imagine the individual flowers in the field and chirping birds. It's also very sensitive. These i think are the driving factors of this version.
Karajan's version on the other hand is entirely different - it's sweeping and rather focuses on a vista of the Alps on a glorious day than any small details. Not that the pretty little details are not present, they are just small parts of the whole. This sweeping quality does not imply lack of sensitivity, however, that would be a very superficial judgment - it merely focuses on another factor of the whole, whilst keeping the whole intact.
If Karajan's version takes some liberties, i think he has every right to do so. He has recorded the symphony twice before (that i know of) and on his last time doesn't he have a right to make a more personal statement with it? i think so. i think it's only natural that at an older age one would focus more on the bigger picture than details. Especially when that personal statement isn't at all at odds with the spirit of the piece.
i have to say i liked both versions very much, and don't want to have to choose the better of them (i've yet to hear Karajan's earlier recordings). But as i understand this version from Karajan is the least favourite of many, i want to counter that notion and say that in my opinion it is a beautiful take on the symphony and deserves to be heard.
Perhaps one thing that makes me prefer Karajan's just a little bit is that, whilst to say that Immerseel's take is pedantic or academic would be going way too far, i think nothing of the sort, perhaps it lacks a little bit of feeling? Karajan's version for sure is entirely heartfelt, and i also think that whatever he did his own way in it, he was truly following his heart (like playing the first movement a bit faster).
i just listened to two versions of Beethoven's 6th, that from Anima Eterna (cond. Jos van Immerseel) and Karajan's version with BPO from 1984 on Karajan Gold series and thought i'd write a small review based on this listening. (Not that i really believe in deciding anything on basis of comparison but think that things should be estimated on their own, not on how they compare to others).
Obviously Immerseel's version is entirely faithful to the script, in this sense i would call it definitive, as i'm sure that was the intention. It's very pretty and detailed - one can easily imagine the individual flowers in the field and chirping birds. It's also very sensitive. These i think are the driving factors of this version.
Karajan's version on the other hand is entirely different - it's sweeping and rather focuses on a vista of the Alps on a glorious day than any small details. Not that the pretty little details are not present, they are just small parts of the whole. This sweeping quality does not imply lack of sensitivity, however, that would be a very superficial judgment - it merely focuses on another factor of the whole, whilst keeping the whole intact.
If Karajan's version takes some liberties, i think he has every right to do so. He has recorded the symphony twice before (that i know of) and on his last time doesn't he have a right to make a more personal statement with it? i think so. i think it's only natural that at an older age one would focus more on the bigger picture than details. Especially when that personal statement isn't at all at odds with the spirit of the piece.
i have to say i liked both versions very much, and don't want to have to choose the better of them (i've yet to hear Karajan's earlier recordings). But as i understand this version from Karajan is the least favourite of many, i want to counter that notion and say that in my opinion it is a beautiful take on the symphony and deserves to be heard.
Perhaps one thing that makes me prefer Karajan's just a little bit is that, whilst to say that Immerseel's take is pedantic or academic would be going way too far, i think nothing of the sort, perhaps it lacks a little bit of feeling? Karajan's version for sure is entirely heartfelt, and i also think that whatever he did his own way in it, he was truly following his heart (like playing the first movement a bit faster).