My listening post this morning is Baker Book House, a simply wonderful place for research, reading, drinking coffee, and buying books. Lots and lots of books. They have the largest selection of used books – theological books – in the Midwest. I know people who live in Nashville who shop at Baker.
I can’t tell you how many books I’ve purchased from Baker. Far more than I need, frankly.
Before I type another word, I’ll let “Lenny” share a little with you about Beethoven’s Seventh.
So, as I sit here, I find myself listening to American conductor Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990), the Vienna Philharmonic, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major.
I encountered Maestro Bernstein six times previously to this morning’s performance, on…
Day 3. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 21. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 39. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 57. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 74. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 93. Rating: “Huzzah!”
By my ears, Leonard Bernstein has an unblemished record: Six “Huzzah!” ratings in a row.
Will today earn him a seventh?
I’ll know in a about 40 minutes.
Beethoven wrote his symphonies in four parts (except for the Sixth, which is in five). The time breakdown of this particular one (Symphony No. 7 in A major), from this particular conductor (Bernstein, at age 59) and this particular orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker), at this particular time in history (November, 1978) on this particular record label (Deutsche Grammophon) is as follows:
I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace……………………………..14:17
II. Allegretto………………………………………………………8:48
III. Presto – Assai meno presto (trio)……………….9:00
IV. Allegro con brio…………………………………………..7:03
Total running time: 39:08
My Rating:
Recording quality: 4 (a typical Deutsche Grammophon recording; clean, exceptionally well recorded, “lush,” by which I mean the orchestra sounds full and rich)
Overall musicianship: 4 (well above average, overall sprightly and energetic in some movements, but somewhat tepid in others – inconsistent)
CD liner notes: 4 (intro by Bernstein, only one English essay – but a darn good one)
How does this make me feel: 4 (“Meh!”)
The first two movements of this performance were definitely not up to Leonard Bernstein-level quality. The did not ignite my passion, did not fill me with awe, did not awaken something in me that I had never heard.
Movement III picked up the energy level and this symphony suddenly had something to say. Up until that point, not even my beloved Movement II could save performance. Not even the pizzicato within the movement.
When I watch Maestro Bernstein explain Beethoven’s Seventh in the clip above, I didn’t get the feeling he particularly liked the Seventh beyond an academic/intellectual curiosity. His explain of the lack of “melody” in Movement II surprised me. But, again, he was hearing it from the perspective of a musicologist, not a music lover.
I wonder if his inability to put himself in the position of music lover affected his enthusiasm, his passion, for conducting this particular symphony?
I’ll never know.
But, so far, Claudio Abbado (Day 109) is the runaway performance of Beethoven’s Seventh. It was so rollicking, so energetic, so sublime, so compelling that I felt transported to another place and time.
No conductor after Abbado has captured that magic for me – not even Lenny, easily my favorite conductor in this Beethoven project of mine.
Believe me, I tried to fudge the results, the feeling I got (or, in this case, didn’t get) listening to Maestro Bernstein’s performance. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt.
In the end, I couldn’t.
This performance is perfunctory, almost academic. But it’s not magical. Not awe inspiring.
I’m sorry, Lenny. I have to award this a “Meh!” rating.