My office this morning is, once again, the cafeteria in the D&W food store.
It’s kind of a lonely place at this time of the morning.
But I like it that way.
This morning, as I sip a Blonde Roast (“That’ll be a pour over. Is that okay?”) from Starbucks, I’m listening to German conductor Otto Klemperer, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major.
I’ve experienced Maestro Klemperer five times previous to this morning, on…
Day 12. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 30. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 48. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 66. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 84. Rating: “Huzzah!”
I’m eager to see what today brings.
Beethoven wrote his symphonies in four parts (except for the Sixth, which is in five). The time breakdown of this particular one (Symphony No. 6 in F major), from this particular conductor (Klemperer, at at 72) and this particular orchestra (Philharmonia Orchestra), at this particular time in history (October 29 & October 7 & 8, 1957) on this particular record label (Warner Classics) is as follows:
I. Allegro ma non troppo………………………………………..13:05
“Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country”
II. Andante molto mosso………………………………………..13:22
“Scene by the brook”
III. Allegro…………………………………………………………………6:33
“Merry gathering of country folk”
IV. Allegro…………………………………………………………………..3:43
“Thunderstorm”
V. Allegretto……………………………………………………………..9:14
“Shepherd’s song: Happy and thankful feelings after the storm”
Total running time: 45:17
My Rating:
Recording quality: 4 (Warner Classics is known for high-quality recordings. This is no exception. Barely noticeable tape hiss, crisp, clean instruments)
Overall musicianship: 5 (sounds inspired)
CD liner notes: 4 (standard Warner Classics booklet with lots of information, and an essay about Klemperer in English, German, and French)
How does this make me feel: 5 (“Huzzah!”)
This is one lush, clean, dynamic recording!
I knew from the first few minutes that it was recorded well and would have crisp dynamic range.
When my favorite part of Movement I came up (11:31-11:45) it did what it was supposed to do: give me chills.
Movement III (“Merry gathering of country folk”) sounded merry, indeed. It had the proper ratio of soft to loud, serene to boisterous.
And I noticed pizzicato playing in Movement V that I’d never noticed before.
This is a fun, exuberant, reverent-but-not-stodgy performance.
I heartily recommend it.
“Huzzah!”