Vänskä vs. Järvi -- umlaut Beethoven battle!
Tue, Apr 13 2010, 10:01AM
I've been extremely impressed by both of these recent recordings of Beethoven's 9th, and consider both to be important contributions to LvB9 interpretation.
A million things happen in each one, but Järvi's often seems more intimate. Vänskä, on the other hand, seems to go BIG. I'm especially fond of baritone Matthias Goerne on the Järvi version. His "O Freunde..." is more intimate and natural-sounding than any previous version.
I'm sure someone here on the forum has a more intelligent critique than mine :)
Tue, Apr 20 2010, 12:28PM
#2
RE: Vänskä vs. Järvi -- umlaut Beethoven battle!
I'm generally a fan of Vänskä's conducting, but I was disappointed by his Beethoven cycle with the Minnesota Orchestra. Of course the performances are well-played, and there are certainly some arresting moments here and there. But to me everything feels too safe--too central. I tend to prefer Beethoven performances that push the envelope in some way. This music should sound radical and exciting--revolutionary, even.
For those reasons, I much prefer Järvi's RCA cycle. Listen to the slashing strings in the development of 3/i, or the growling celli and basses in the 1/i, or the soaring violins in 5/iv, or . . . I could go on. This is Beethoven with a point of view and--more importantly--a point of view I enjoy. Sure, the orchestra is small, but they play with such energy and precision that I don't miss the larger forces. They really attack the music, as it were, providing whiplash accents and sharp turns. I also prefer the sonorities of the smaller orchestra, with prominent winds and with brass and timpani cutting through the textures thrillingly. Unlike most people, I even love Järvi's recording of 9 (and I agree completely about Goerne, who's terrific here).
To each his (or her) own, of course. This is just a long-winded way of saying that Vänskä's cycle is not my cup of tea. That said, several years ago he made a couple of terrific recordings of Beethoven 7 with the BBCSO. (At least one of these was a cover disc for the BBC Music Magazine, I believe.) After listening to those recordings (and in particular to his wickedly fast take on 7/iv) it's shocking to think that this is the same conductor who's now releasing such middle-of-the-road Beethoven.
Matty
SF, not really. As much as I enjoy the rest of Jarvi's Beethoven survey, I find myself wishing for Vanska-like forces with the Ninth. Still, (IMO,) an impressive set. Best, Hal.