Today marks the end of my journey through Beethoven’s Seventh, as interpreted by 17 different conductors in 18 different CD box sets. (Remember: Herbert von Karajan got two box sets in this cycle because Karajan.)
Tomorrow, I start all over again with the letter “A” for “Abbado.”
Only this time, I listen to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F major.
For today, however, it’s Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, American conductor David Zinman (1936- ), Tonhalle Orchester Zürich.
I’ve encountered Maestro Zinman six times previous to today, on…
Day 18. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 36. Rating: Almost “Huzzah!”
Day 54. Rating: “Huzzah!”
Day 72. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 90. Rating: “Meh!”
Day 108. Rating: “Meh!”
Four “Meh!”, one generous “Almost ‘Huzzah!'”, and one “Huzzah!” rating. Odds are against me enjoying today’s performance. But my mind is open.
Lay it on me, Maestro Zinman!
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 (Zinman, at age 61) and this particular orchestra (Tonhalle Orchster Zurich), at this particular time in history (December 16 & 17, 1997) on this particular record label (Arte Nova Classics – no web site or Wiki entry available) is as follows:
I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace……………………………..13:25
II. Allegretto………………………………………………………7:28
III. Presto – Assai meno presto (trio)……………….8:03
IV. Allegro con brio…………………………………………..8:30
Total running time: 37:26
My Rating:
Recording quality: 4 (a little on the tinny side, very bright; could be the all-digital recording)
Overall musicianship: 4 (lyrical, elegant, stately, yet uneven)
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: 4 (“Huzzah!”)
I don’t know how to rate this performance. On the one hand, my beloved Movement II sounds more stately than somber, more elegant that gut wrenching. I haven’t heard it played this way before.
So, Maestro Zinman gets thumbs down for Movement II. Or does he?
Movement III, however, is wonderfully energetic, if uniquely recorded.
In fact, this entire performance is miked differently from the others. The instruments sound differently. They’re brighter. Sharper. Crisper. And somewhat piercing.
But this performance has a unique energy all its own.
It’s almost like hearing Beethoven’s Seventh for the first time.
Getting back to Movement II…
It doesn’t make me feel sad, like other performances of the second movement do. But it does give me a thrill in some spots. Fills me with awe.
Movement IV is scary energetic. Almost bordering on too energetic.
But I can’t dismiss this as “Meh!”
It’s far more interesting than that.
“Huzzzah!’ it is.
Well done, Maestro Zinman.
Tomorrow starts a new cycle of symphonies!