Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Erich Kleiber, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphonies 3 & 5 / Erich Kleiber, Concertgebouw

Another titan in Beethoven, Erich Kleiber

Ralph J. Steinberg | New York, NY United States | 07/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If we limits ourselves to narrow classifications, I suppose we would call Kleiber a "classical" conductor, in the same we would label Furtwaengler and Mengelberg as "romantic." But as I grow older, I realize the uselessness of such pidgeonholing. Kleiber's "Eroica" is marked by great rhythmic control and consistency, intensity, and a clarity of textures that is rare, even amongst the more technically-minded of conductors. I normally prefer a broad Funeral March, but Kleiber brings it off at a more marchlike tempo, because of the great intensity he brings to the music. As for the Fifth, no one has ever matched the ferocious onslaught of the First Movement or the majesty of the Finale in this performance. And the recorded sound, particularly in the Fifth, is awesome. As for the orchestra, only Mengelberg elicted such potent playing from the Concertgebouw as heard here. Now, more Kleiber from Decca, please!"

(No title).

offeck | New York, NY -- United States of America | 11/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Erich Kleiber is widely admired for his musical artisanship. His unmistakable hallmark is luminous rigor, jubilant élan, enthralling and measured intimacy, transparent and neat phrasing, lyrical simplicity and abandon, spiritual and doleful, warm, fluent cantabile lines, void of rhetoric, neuroses, thick shadows and dismal suggestions. Famous for his enlightened strictness, Kleiber, a poetic rationalist, employed a clear and measured hand motion that favored technical perfection over any non-descript philosophical pattern; but never lacking emotional appeal, he also acknowledged and pursued the subtle art of 'rubato,' allowing a certain elasticity and freedom in tempo.For Beethoven, a classic who poured his ebullient visions into the meshes of form, Erich Kleiber had a unique affinity, and felt a particular and special responsibility for the Eroica. Never satisfied with his performances, he was often found weeping after conducting it! Kleiber's Concertgebouw Eroica, projected in the empyrean of Titans, showing the heights of his inimitable interpretation, exuding light and hope, peace-inspiring in its opening, and passionate, fervent but controlled, in its climax, captivating the audiences of history, is the most moving and exciting on disc. Without flaw, and with so many things I wish other conductors would dare to see in Beethoven's Fifth, maybe pushing my luck, I also consider Erich Kleiber's Concertgebouw performance the best available!For the Eroica, one should also pursue: Kleiber/Vienna, Sabata/London, Furtwangler/Vienna; and for The Fifth: Maazel/Vienna, Strauss/Berlin, Nikisch/Berlin, Furtwangler/Berlin, Weingartner/British... Please, Decca/London, will you (soon) release the rest of your Erich Kleiber discography?"

Superb performances from a great master

G Pelloni | Cottingham, East Yorkshire United Kingdom | 07/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd provides Beethoven's interpretations for all seasons. Both admirers of the "old school" and of the "contemporary school" would find them spellbinding. They have a classic status and belongs to the Olympus of great interpretations of these works (alongside Furtwangler's and Klemperer's 3rd and 5th,Horenstein's and van Kempen's 3rd, Carlos Kleiber's 5th).
Decca has recently republished also the 3rd with E. Kleiber and the VPO, a performance even more entrancing than that on the present cd."