Search - Michael George, Ludwig van Beethoven, Netherlands Wind Ensemble :: Beethoven: Octet,Op.103/Quintet,Op.16/Symphony No.7

Great orchestration of the 7th.

D. P. Schroeder | Amidst the Carolinas | 10/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll happily express my ignorance and state that I've never heard a recording of Beethoven 7 "reduced" to this VERY spare winds orchestration -- 2 clarinets, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 1 contra-bassoon, 2 horns, double-bass, and timpani. This recording is apparently a tweaking (by the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble) of the German publication of the work that has been around since Beethoven's day, though there's no solid evidence for his authorship of that orchestration.



On this work, and on the Octet and Piano Quintet, the NBE (a select group of wind players from the Netherlands' top ensembles) do NOT disappoint, and it's my fervent hope that I can beg, borrow, or buy a copy of their fine arrangement to perform with a group of VERY talented musical friends in the near future in a chamber music setting.



This recording is an absolute delight. NOT to be missed!"