Search - Beethoven, Maag :: Beethoven: Symphonies no 1 & 3 / Maag, Padua and Veneto Orch

Beethoven, Maag
Beethoven: Symphonies no 1 & 3 / Maag, Padua and Veneto Orch
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (8) - Disc #1
1. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 'Eroica': I - Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 'Eroica': II - Marcia funebre: Adagio assai
3. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 'Eroica': III - Scherzo: Allegro vivace
4. Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 'Eroica': IV - Finale: Allegro molto - Poco andante - Presto
5. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21: I - Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
6. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21: II - Andante cantabile con moto
7. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21: III - Minuetto - Allegro molto e vivace
8. Symphony No. 1 Op. 21: V - Finale: Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace

CD Details

All Artists: Beethoven, Maag
Title: Beethoven: Symphonies no 1 & 3 / Maag, Padua and Veneto Orch
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Arts Music
Release Date: 6/18/1996
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 600554724621

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Like the other discs in this series, this one is marked by some imbalance between prominent winds and slightly recessed strings. In the case of the Eroica, though, this doesn't interfere with a powerful, extremely well-conceived performance that gives us Beethoven unbuttoned and unfettered. Maag's reading of the slow movement is extremely moving, especially coming after the powerful reading of the opening movement. The recording quality changes noticeably as the First Symphony (which follows the Eroica) begins, and its cavernous quality takes a bit of the sting out of an otherwise brisk and dashing performance. Still, a worthwhile disc, especially at the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

CD Reviews

Great!! and a comment on sound

Andrew R. Weiss | Raleigh, NC USA | 01/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not sure why amazon's reviewer feels there's an imbalance between strings and winds. I've just received my set of the complete symphonies and listened to #1 first, and the balances are *very* similar to those Klemperer favored, with forward winds but string details pretty clear. The major difference comes in the relatively greater prominence of the brass, and I wonder whether that is Maag's preference (part of his Swiss/French heritage, perhaps?). Both symphonies were recorded in the Modigliani Auditorium in Padua, and the sound is pretty similar. It sounds as though the string section is a little larger in the "Eroica", which would be appropriate (see Zinman's recordings with the Zurich Tonhalle chamber orchestra, where he varies the string section size depending on each symphony's requirements).

As to the performances: mature, wise, insightful, strong, balanced, emotionally communicative. In one word, masterful. I own Klemperer, Furtwangler and Monteux, and these are right up there with them, with the added advantage of a more Beethoven-era-sized orchestra (i.e., chamber-sized) and the added lightness and clarity of texture that brings.

Highest recommendation."