This morning, the morning after setting the clocks back an hour for Daylight Savings Time, I thought I’d brew up my own coffee, pop in a Blu-ray of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and listen to Gunter Wand (1912-2002), the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major (the scene in Ollivanders Wand Shop seemed particularly apropos for today’s listening; wand and Wand – get it?).
The volume on the TV is low, and completely silent when I put in my earbuds. But the visuals are there.
A steaming mug of coffee is poised on my left, ready to infuse me with a much-needed jolt of caffeine should I beckon it.
Since I got a French press coffee maker, my home-brewed coffee has been awesome. I used to have a Keurig. But the coffee came out tasting like tiny plastic containers. I posed the question to my Facebook friends “How do you make a good cup of coffee?” The words “French press” kept coming up. So I researched one on Amazon and chose based on the highest rating.
And now my coffee tastes much better.
Unfortunately, it takes 15 minutes or so to make the coffee. And I want my morning coffee now. But when it is done, it’s quite tasty – especially when made with Trader Joe’s Light Roast coffee. I haven’t found anything at TJ’s that isn’t absolutely delicious.
Anyway, I’ve encountered Maestro Wand five times previous to this morning, on…
Day 17. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 35. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 53. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 71. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 89. Rating: “Huzzah!”
So, it appears Maestro Wand is more liked than not in my Beethoven project.
But what will today bring?
I could ask Professor Dumbledore.
But music appreciation is subjective. I’d rather hear it for myself.
And so I will.
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 (Wand, at age 74) and this particular orchestra (North German Radio Symphony Orchestra), at this particular time in history (1986) on this particular record label (RCA Victor Red Seal, now owned by Sony) is as follows:
I. Allegro ma non troppo………………………………………..13:16
“Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country”
II. Andante molto mosso………………………………………..12:03
“Scene by the brook”
III. Allegro…………………………………………………………………6:04
“Merry gathering of country folk”
IV. Allegro…………………………………………………………………..3:41
“Thunderstorm”
V. Allegretto……………………………………………………………..9:33
“Shepherd’s song: Happy and thankful feelings after the storm”
Total running time: 44:09
My Rating:
Recording quality: 3 (a bit of top end missing, sounds flat to me, but hardly any tape hiss or ambient sounds)
Overall musicianship: 3 (seems slower paced than other performances, a bit sleepy)
CD liner notes: 4 (a booklet in each CD jewel case; the essays on Symphonies 2 and 4 are brief but informative. In addition, the bulk of the text is in German, although the essays are also translated into English and French )
How does this make me feel: 3 (“Meh!”)
Maybe my standards are higher now after hearing so many terrific performances. But this one, although fairly decent (for whatever that’s worth), just sounds so-so. The tempo from the get-go seems slow, almost lethargic.
My favorite melody (which, in this recording, appears from 11:45-12:00) lacks oomph. It doesn’t move me. It’s much cleaner than in Maestro Rattle’s performance. But it still lacks the power others have shown me.
Movement II is nicely recorded and performed. The flute solo at the 5:20-5:40 mark is especially nice. As far as Andantes go, this one is pretty good.
But, ironically, Movement III lacks merriment. For a movement titled “Merry gathering of country folk,” this sure does lack energy. Even when the Scottish reel-like passage kicks in (1:57), it sounds too tame. Seriously, if I were the conductor, I’d ask my orchestra to let ‘er rip for this movement. Play loud and boisterously! Exhibit some fun. Let your hair down. Be merry, for Pete’s sake!
Movement IV, despite the fact that it’s titled “Thunderstorm,” doesn’t really excite, either. It sounds like a safe thunderstorm. A carefully controlled and contained thunderstorm.
Even Movement V seemed to be too slow, too tame for the conclusion of a great symphonic work.
Overall, I was not impressed with Maestro Wand’s interpretation of Beethoven’s Sixth. It was sleepy, rather than moving and awe inspiring. Not once did goosebumps arise on my arms. I wasn’t tapping my toes or nodding my head, either.
I’ve heard better.
“Meh!”