Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Hans Vonk, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra :: Beethoven Symphony Nos. 3 & 8

Rewarding Disc, but not your off-the-rack LvB

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 07/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I admit that I'm biased towards St. Louis Symphony, no doubt about it. But they've also earned it. Their playing is often angelic, but of course, a perfect instrument doesn't always yield the best performances.However, this release has a wonderful 8th Symphony. Vonk is a master of orchestral color, dynamics and nuance. The 8th Symphony, with its overabundance of 16th notes/almost tremolo can use a softer touch, and this is an excellent performance that rewards repeated listening.The 3rd is more your standard LvB. It is very well performed, and the Finale is the best. It is not an interpretation to shake you to the soles of your feet, though. As the reviewer below said, it is civilized, which perhaps a viable alternative, isn't what Beethoven is often viewed as to be. But the playing is wonderfulThe engineering needs comment. These were recorded live. The 3rd Symphony, while having perfectly acceptable sound, is slightly muffled; the 8th is much better."