This evening, with Disc One, Episode One of The Crown (the British TV series that “follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century”) in the background…and David Zinman (1936- ), Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F major in the foreground, I find myself listening to Classical music while watching a bunch of actors pretend to be British royalty.
The head scratcher for me is American actor John Lithgow portraying British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. You’d think they could have chosen a dozen British actors who could have played the great leader.
Anywho, I’ve encountered Maestro Zinman five times previous to this evening, on…
Day 18. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 36. Rating: Almost “Huzzah!”
Day 54. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 72. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 90. Rating: “Meh!”
Three “Meh!” ratings, one “Almost ‘Huzzah!'” rating, and one “Huzzah!” rating.
Not exactly worth writing home about.
So, the big question (at least, for me) is this: “What will tonight’s performance bring?”
I’ll know the answer before the end of Disc One.
First, I am please to note that tonight is the end of another cycle: I’m at the letter “Z” with Beethoven’s Sixth. Tomorrow morning, I begin again at “A” (as in Abbadon) and start Beethoven’s Seventh.
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 (Zinman, at age 61) and this particular orchestra (Tonhalle Orchster Zurich), at this particular time in history (March 25 & 26, 1997) on this particular record label (Arte Nova Classics – no web site or Wiki entry available) is as follows:
I. Allegro ma non troppo………………………………………..10:21
“Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country”
II. Andante molto mosso………………………………………..12:01
“Scene by the brook”
III. Allegro…………………………………………………………………4:49
“Merry gathering of country folk”
IV. Allegro…………………………………………………………………..3:37
“Thunderstorm”
V. Allegretto……………………………………………………………..9:08
“Shepherd’s song: Happy and thankful feelings after the storm”
Total running time: 39:16
My Rating:
Recording quality: 5 (sounds flawless, if a bit dry; could be the all-digital recording)
Overall musicianship: 5 (energetic playing, but quick of tempo)
CD liner notes: 3 (a booklet in each CD jewel case; however, the information is a hodgepodge that lacks even running times for each track, as well as total running time for each symphony, plus the essays are technical and academic in nature)
How does this make me feel: 3 (“Meh!”)
The first thing I noticed when I pushed Play is that the tempo is brisk – too much so, for my tastes.
And that was especially noticeable in the playing of my favorite part of Movement I – that gorgeous melody, which – in this performance – appears from 9:10 to 9:21. When this passage is played too fast, it’s like a wine that isn’t opened before it’s consumed. Those notes aren’t allowed to breathe. Consequently, the melody never becomes a powerful, or moving. All the notes just rushe together and it’s over before one is allowed to experience it.
Strike one against Maestro Zinman.
Movement II is more pleasant, with very nice flute and oboe interplay from 5:17-5:42.
Movement III (“Merry gathering of country folk”) fails to sound merry. It does, however, sound brisk. And it’s over much too quickly. I do enjoy the sound of a French horn, though.
Strike two for Maestro Zinman.
Movement IV (“Thunderstorm”) is the shortest of the five movements, and it seems hurried.
Movement V is fine. Not great. But well played.
Strike three for Maestro Zinman.
Overall, I can’t rate this any higher than “Meh!”
It’s too fast. It’s not lush enough. It’s not powerful enough. It feels hurried.
I think Beethoven should be played with power and precision, at a tempo just quick enough to propel it forward – but not so fast that feels rushed.