In 2006, the 25-year-old Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel's star on the international scene is rising fast, with prestigious conducting assignments and this CD of two of Beethoven's most-popular and often-recorded symphonies. I... more »t's a bold calling card for a label that has outstanding versions of these symphonies by the likes of von Karajan, Abbado, and Carlos Kleiber, among others. If Dudamel doesn't eclipse those or others atop the mountain of Beethoven symphony recordings, he gives fine performances brimming with vitality and excitement. His youth orchestra sounds as good as many better known ensembles, playing with spontaneity and technical expertise. Dudamel excels in painting vivid orchestral colors and lending rhythmic impetus to the fast movements of both symphonies, surely a prerequisite for conveying the power of the Fifth and the dancing rhythms of the Seventh. But he does tend to exaggerate dynamics, following powerful orchestral outbursts with barely audible solo or section passages. And his slow movements, while decently done, tend to lack flow and energy. Still, an impressive debut, heralding a welcome new face on the international conducting scene. --Dan Davis« less
In 2006, the 25-year-old Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel's star on the international scene is rising fast, with prestigious conducting assignments and this CD of two of Beethoven's most-popular and often-recorded symphonies. It's a bold calling card for a label that has outstanding versions of these symphonies by the likes of von Karajan, Abbado, and Carlos Kleiber, among others. If Dudamel doesn't eclipse those or others atop the mountain of Beethoven symphony recordings, he gives fine performances brimming with vitality and excitement. His youth orchestra sounds as good as many better known ensembles, playing with spontaneity and technical expertise. Dudamel excels in painting vivid orchestral colors and lending rhythmic impetus to the fast movements of both symphonies, surely a prerequisite for conveying the power of the Fifth and the dancing rhythms of the Seventh. But he does tend to exaggerate dynamics, following powerful orchestral outbursts with barely audible solo or section passages. And his slow movements, while decently done, tend to lack flow and energy. Still, an impressive debut, heralding a welcome new face on the international conducting scene. --Dan Davis
CD Reviews
And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, GUSTAVO DUDAMEL!
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Subtlety, nuance, and elegance may not be the strong points of this recording of Beethoven's tried and true symphonies 5 and 7, but DGG has jumped the gun for capturing and signing one of the more exciting young conductors on the scene today by introducing him with known works played by his own youth ensemble, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. What this recording lacks in the line of the grand old men of the podium it makes up for in the spirit and obvious musicality that makes Dudamel infectious. For the recording of these symphonies it is a highly respectable rendering: as an introduction to the conductor Gustavo Dudamel it does not even begin to suggest the prodigious gifts of this young dynamo!
This listener had the extreme fortune to be present when Dudamel recently mounted the podium before the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the Disney Hall to lavish his rapt audience with his charismatic persona, his complete commitment to the music, his oneness with the orchestra (not an easy assignment for a novice in front of one of the world's finest orchestras), and the thrill of hearing difficult works as though they had just been written. Opening with Kodály's 'Dances of Galanta', Dudamel found every detail of this richly orchestrated score a reason for discovery. It is the first time this listener has every appreciated the piece as a completely original work. He then collaborated with guest soloist Yefim Bronfman in the quintessential Rachmaninov 3rd, revealing orchestral facets too often hidden in routine performances. He then turned to Bartók's challenging 'Concerto for Orchestra' to prove his mettle. The orchestra fully embraced his precise conducting technique, his penchant for passionate music making, and his attention to metric details that can throw even the most seasoned of conductors. It was an astonishing experience and one that captured not only the minds and hearts of the orchestra but those of the audience as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the innately musical, powerful presence and career opening of the humble but brilliant Gustavo Dudamel! Grady Harp, January 07"
Calm down a bit
Ursiform | Torrance, CA USA | 01/13/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Gustavo Dudamel is clearly an extraordinarily talented young conductor, and I look forward to hearing him grow with the LA Phil. While interesting, these recordings are not the interpretations of a mature conductor who has fully worked his way to an understanding of Beethoven. The orchestra, while excellent for a youth orchestra, is not world class. And the recording itself is not one of DG's best.
I think this CD is well worth listening to for the energy and potential Dudamel manifests. But with so many great recordings of these symphonies available, this is not among the best. This is a purchase for someone who already has one (or several) great recordings of these symphonies, and is looking for an opportunity to make the musical acquaintance of the young maestro Dudamel. Someday he will make mature recordings of these symphonies, and it will be interesting to look back at this disk and see how he grew."
A good first effort for the young Venezuelan(s)
Xyp | Cincinnati, OH | 08/15/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Highly touted young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel makes his recording debut on this DG disc in the Beethoven 5th and 7th. There are a good many things to recommend this disc, not the least of which is that the orchestra is excellent for anywhere- when one considers that they are a youth orchestra, well, that's even better. They follow Dudamel's sense of shape and line very well, and I had no complaints about intonation.
The real star of the show, of course, is Dudamel- having conducted ensembles since the tender age of 12, the recording shows every bit of his experienced manner. He has the practiced ear of one who not only has been conducting for years, but moreover has specific ideas about the external and internal movement and form of the symphonic sound. His aforementioned sense of shape and line are well developed: listen to his opening of the Fifth, the control of the crescendos and tempo of the Andante movement, and finally the youthful vigor and energy of the fourth movement Allegro. But while his execution is surprisingly good, it is apparent that it has not come full flower yet: it should be no surprise that, in his mid-twenties, Dudamel is currently in the early stages of what will become a recognizable style and flair with an orchestra. If this debut disc is any indication of things to come (and, someone at DG needs a talking to: do we really need another Fifth and Seventh?!?) Dudamel's is certainly a talent to keep a close watch on for the future."
Wonderful
Alyssa A. Lappen | Earth | 10/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Maybe we didn't need another recording of Beethoven's 5th and 7th symphonies, but now that Dudamel's Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra has provided one, I'm glad he did.
Aside from the really compelling part of this story--that Dudamel scoops homeless and indigent kids off Venezuelan streets and gives them something to live for, saving them, and not coincidentally adding an enormous new talent pool to the music world--this is a vibrant recording, into which these kids have poured their new lives.
I'm delighted to have heard the results on a recent drive, and recommend this recording highly to all lovers of classical music--even those who already own more than one copy of each of these symphonies."
"
It' s very difficult for me to talk - as Venezuelan citizen - with meridian objectivity, about the stature and mercurial emotional power Dudamel confers to every score he conducts. He has been born with that ominous inner fire, in order to express with admirable eloquence, the oneness contained in the core of every Opus conducted by him.
The countless testimonials all around the world seem to confirm it. This prodigious and very young master of the baton (26) simply has no limits, so we will really hope and wish from him to lead us for unexplored roads into the enormous musical universe.
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1