With the 1960s folk band The Seekers playing in the background, a cup of Trader Joe’s Light Roast coffee beside me, and Judith Durham‘s dulcet tones in my ears – at least, before I pop in my earbuds, at which time Argentine conductor Daniel Barenboim (1942- ), Staatskapelle Berlin, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major will occupy my attention for another half hour.
It is mid-morning, and I’m overlooking a cold, gray November just a couple of hours after sunrise.
Speaking of Daniel Barenboim, two days ago he was in the news, this time talking about “The Sound of Silence.” Let your mouse do the clicking over to the article and enjoy a peek into Maestro Barenboim’s soul.
I have encountered Maestro Barenboim seven times previously, on…
Day 2. Rating: None.
Day 20. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 38. Rating: “Almost ‘Huzzah!'”
Day 56. Rating: “Almost ‘Huzzah!'”
Day 75. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 92. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 110. Rating: “Meh!”
That’s a very good record, in my book.
Clearly, the combination of Daniel Barenboim and Staatskapelle Berlin is a winner. (I own Barenboim’s Warner Classics Bruckner CD box set, too, and love it.)
And these CD box sets from Warner Classics – especially if they contain performances by Maestro Barenboim.
Beethoven wrote his symphonies in four parts (except for the Sixth, which is in five). The time breakdown of this particular one (Symphony No. 8 in F major), from this particular conductor (Barenboim, at age 57) and this particular orchestra (Staatskapelle Berlin), at this particular time in history (May – July 1999) on this particular record label (Warner Classics) is as follows:
I. Allegro vivace e con brio…………………………………..9:35
II. Allegretto scherzando…………………………………….3:39
III. Tempo di menuetto……………………………………….4:57
IV. Allegro vivace………………………………………………….6:57
Total running time: 24:28
My Rating:
Recording quality: 4 (overall, it’s an okay recording; however, it’s sounds a little muffled, like some of the top end is missing, or it’s too packed into the mid range)
Overall musicianship: 5 (nimble, lighthearted, lyrical)
CD liner notes: 5 (a nice, meaty booklet; lots of info in several languages)
How does this make me feel: 4 (“Huzzah!”)
See what a difference a day makes!
Yesterday, I wasn’t sure how to rate the performance by Claudio Abbado of Beethoven’s Eighth.
Today, I’m positive I know how to rate this performance by Daniel Barenboim.
“Huzzah!”
This is a quick (over in a mere 24 minutes and 28 seconds), but not hurried, performance that brings out the melodies that I wasn’t hearing in Abbado’s performance of Beethoven’s Eighth.
Movement I is brisk, but chock-full of little gems of melody that are catchy, if way too brief. (Today’s composers would have found those spots of melody and milked them for all they’re worth.) It’s lyric, bombastic, and lighthearted. But compelling.
Movement II is an odd little movement over in under four minutes. It’s bouncy and light and deceptively simplistic, especially with is jerky stops and starts that suddenly cease and become…
Movement III, which is grander, more sweeping in its musical gestures. I really enjoy the introduction of French horn at the 2:20 mark. The French horn is such a wonderfully rich and emotional instrument. For a Menuetto, it sure doesn’t have a lot of pep to it.
Movement IV begins with a bunch of instruments gently playing – until they explode with sound that gets the blood pumping and the movement rocketing to its conclusion.
I really like this performance. I do not like the sound quality, however. It doesn’t sound distinctive or clear. It sounds muffled.
But this is a “Huzzah!” performance without a doubt.