Prom 13 (24.7.12): Beethoven Cycle – Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Tuesday 24 July at 7.00 p.m.
Royal Albert Hall

Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major (25 mins)
Pierre Boulez: Anthèmes 2 (25 mins)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major (35 min)

Michael Barenboim violin
IRCAM live electronics
West–Eastern Divan Orchestra
Daniel Barenboim conductor

Beethoven, Boulez

Episode 1 of 2, BBC Proms, 2012 Season, Prom 13

Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London

Presented by Tom Service

The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, under the baton of Daniel Barenboim continues its Beethoven cycle with two dramatic symphonies: the compact Eighth and the Seventh, famously dubbed 'the apotheosis of dance'. It was the last piece conducted by Proms founder-conductor Henry Wood. This ebullient symphonic music is contrasted with Pierre Boulez's beautifully serene Anthèmes 2, scored for violin and live electronics.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have to ask. Is Michael Barenboim really good, or is he there because of his father's reputation? I hope the former is the case. Think of other father/son legacies, such as the Kleibers.

[euthynicus]

He is a considerable violinist, as Proms audiences had the chance to discover when he played the solo part in the Berg Chamber Cto a few years ago at a late-night. You can also see and hear him in various repertoire, Brahms to Carter, on a DVD excerpting performances from the Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival. Anyone who does Anthemes II has earned their chops.

[Ariosto]

I'm just listening to No 8 on Radio 3 and I find the sound is far too bass heavy and top instruments far too faint. This may be the hall but more likely the people doing the sound. We have had this problem in previous years. Stangely enough the concerts on TV have been balanced a lot better.

To be honest there are problems also in the orchestra tonight, possibly the heat, (32C in London today) and a few slips too, but who cares about that.

I found the performance rather on the heavy side - but not sure why that should be.

[Osborn]

No, I'm sorry if you read yourself into my comments. Your comments are perfectly fair & fine. I was really thinking of our resident ex seaside horn player who goes OTT IMO...

[salymap]

I'm just listening to No 8 on Radio 3 and I find the sound is far too bass heavy and top instruments far too faint. This may be the hall but more likely the people doing the sound. We have had this problem in previous years. Stangely enough the concerts on TV have been balanced a lot better.

To be honest there are problems also in the orchestra tonight, possibly the heat, (32C in London today) and a few slips too, but who cares about that.

I found the performance rather on the heavy side - but not sure why that should be.

Ariosto, I think no 8 should 'dance' more that it did, the timps sounded rather relentless to me and the whole thing was weighed down somehow. One of my favourite Beethoven symphonies though.

[Hornspieler]

No, I'm sorry if you read yourself into my comments. Your comments are perfectly fair & fine. I was really thinking of our resident ex seaside horn player who goes OTT IMO...

That remark really "takes the biscuit"

Ariosto and I don't always agree, but at least we have behind us the experience of playing these works under some of the world's greatest conductors.
I take no pleasure in pointing out where things are wrong, but I also accept no excuses for tiredness, excesses of temperature or inexperience.

HS

[Ariosto]

Ariosto, I think no 8 should 'dance' more that it did, the timps sounded rather relentless to me and the whole thing was weighed down somehow. One of my favourite Beethoven symphonies though.

Yes, maybe it was too heavy footed - more dance and swing!

[Ariosto]

That remark really "takes the biscuit"

Ariosto and I don't always agree, but at least we have behind us the experience of playing these works under some of the world's greatest conductors.
I take no pleasure in pointing out where things are wrong, but I also accept no excuses for tiredness, excesses of temperature or inexperience.

HS

Maybe I make more allowances than HS, in my twilight years ... but I have been known to be pretty hard and critical too.

I think the later symphonys may be exposing the weaknesses of the orchestra a bit more, but even the best orchestras sound a bity shaky sometimes.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I have been known to be pretty hard and critical too. .

TELL me about it!