My listening post this afternoon is in front of the Christmas tree (now fully decked out) overlooking a snow-covered lake on December 5th, 2018. The temperature outside is 29 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s -1.6 Celsius for all you non-U.S. citizens). I have no idea what the temperature is inside. But I guarantee it’s not 29 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, as I sit here pondering why I still live in Michigan, I’m listening to German conductor Otto Klemperer (1885-1973), Philharmonia Orchestra, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major.
I’ve encountered Maestro Klemperer seven times previous to this afternoon, on…
Day 12. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 30. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 48. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 66. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 84. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 102. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 120. Rating: “Huzzah!”
That’s five “Huzzah!’ and two “Meh!” ratings.
That’s an excellent record.
What will today bring?
I’ll know in about a half hour.
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 (Klemperer, at at 72) and this particular orchestra (Philharmonia Orchestra), at this particular time in history (October 29 & 30, 1957) on this particular record label (Warner Classics) is as follows:
I. Allegro vivace e con brio…………………………………..9:49
II. Allegretto scherzando…………………………………….4:28
III. Tempo di menuetto……………………………………….5:16
IV. Allegro vivace………………………………………………….8:18
Total running time: 27:52
My Rating:
Recording quality: 5 (for a recording 61 years old, this is exceptional; grand, sweeping, joyful, dynamic, rich…with a wonderful violin presence)
Overall musicianship: 5 (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!”)
I was hooked from the first few minutes.
The recording has lots of wonderful violin sounds; a very rich, full, and majestic orchestra tone. This is how I prefer my recordings to sound. When the violins kick in, I get goosebumps. They’re recorded perfectly.
There’s not much I can say about the individual movements. I listened to this three times through. I never lost interest. In fact, I enjoyed it more every time.
Although I love the French horns in the third movement, I think Movement I and Movement IV steal the show for me, with the first movement capturing my heart and soul the most.
A grand, sweeping, playful performance.
Instant “Huzzah!”
Someone uploaded to YouTube Maestro Klemperer conducting the New Philharmonia Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The year was 1970. This is what Maestro Klemperer sounded (and looked) like three years before he passed away on July 6th, 1973. In this video he is 85.
Enjoy!
While I’m at it, here is a documentary about Maestro Klemperer. It was made in 1985.