February 19, 2009

http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=5499

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 7 – The German

Chamber Philharmonic, Bremen – Paavo Jarvi, conductor –
RCA Red Seal
BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 5 – The German
Chamber Philharmonic, Bremen /Paavo Jarvi, conductor –
RCA Red Seal
Whether listening in multichannel or stereo, the sound is superb, and this
cycle is definitely one to get excited about.

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 4 and 7 – The German Chamber

Philharmonic, Bremen – Paavo Jarvi, conductor – RCA Red Seal
Multichannel SACD 88697-21418-2, 69 min. ***** [Distr. by
Sony/BMG]:

BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 5 – The German Chamber

Philharmonic, Bremen /Paavo Jarvi, conductor – RCA Red Seal
Multichannel SACD 88697-33835-2, 55 min. ***** [Distr. by
Sony/BMG]:

When Paavo Jarvi in 2004 assumed the position of Artistic Director with
the German Chamber Philharmonic of Bremen, he led them to a
handful of well-received recordings, but I don’t think anyone could
have been prepared for the splash they’ve made with this current cycle
of Beethoven symphonies. These two new discs encompass the
Symphonies Nos. 4 and 7, and Nos. 1 and 5, and once again, maestro
Jarvi and company have just about turned the world of classical music literally on its ears!
While the chamber performances here lend a sense of historical accuracy to the
proceedings, just about everything else has seriously departed from the normal script this
sort of soiree seemingly should follow. Jarvi’s chosen tempi throughout are rapid fire,
carrying on right where he left off on the excellent initial offering (Symphonies 3 and 8) in
the cycle last year. While the orchestral forces have been seriously pared down compared
to the typical (and traditional) big-band approach, there’s none of the tonal shifts or
instrumental stridency that regularly accompanies chamber and original instrument
approaches to Beethoven. This music is as well-played and full-bodied as it gets, delivering
a sound that is much less foreign to our ears than one might at first suspect, but with all
the requisite familiarity to please even the staunchest of Beethoven aficionados. Yet at the
same time, they’ve accomplished that rarest of feats by delivering an experience that
seems infinitely familiar, but at the same time quite new and refreshing!
In terms of sound quality, these two new discs are magnificent! As with the original
installment last year (Symphonies 3 and 8), production of the recordings was overseen by
Polyhymnia personnel, and these two discs highlight all the warmth and incredible detail
that are the very hallmark of Polyhymnia productions. As I recalled, I was a bit under
whelmed by the sound of that first disc in the series, which seemed a bit dry and perhaps
lacking in warmth to me. A quick investigation comparing these three discs was quite
revealing. The recordings take place at two different locations scattered across a three
year period; one of the symphonies, Number 7, is recorded in two different years, 2004
and 2006!

As all the recordings on the two new discs sound superb, I thought it would be interesting
to take another listen to the first disc to confirm my original impressions. And while I still
feel the original disc lacks the overall warmth displayed by these two new discs, it does
contain much of the sonic character evidenced by the newer releases. I listen to a lot of
music, and I strongly believe that my home system exhibits certain characteristics that on
certain days, everything just clicks, the stars align, and my system sounds incredible.
Other days, it sounds great, but just not quite as good as it does on those particular days.
Maybe it’s the weather, or something in the atmosphere, but I can’t help but believe that
the same thing happens with recording equipment. Even though some of these three discs
were recorded within days of each other, and in the same location with the same
personnel, they do sound somewhat different, though not markedly so.

Don’t let any nitpicking on my part sway you from experiencing these remarkable releases.
Whether listening in multichannel or stereo, the sound is superb, and this cycle is definitely
one to get excited about. Paavo Jarvi, whose work has on occasion left me less than
ecstatic, here makes all the right moves, and proves that he can conduct Beethoven with
the very best of them. I’m truly pumped for the remaining symphonies to come. Very
highly recommended!

-- Tom Gibbs