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BEETHOVEN with Vienna Philharmonic in Paris



The Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Christian Thielemann is guesting Theatre des Champs Elysees for the 18th time since the cooperation started in 1993. This yoear by presenting all Ludwig van Beethovens 9 Symphonies during 5 conercts in a 6 day periode. It all started to night with Symphonies no. 4. and 5. – The 5th was a hit

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. No 4 more “normal”. – Well what is normal?

This will be followed up with the 6th and 7th Symphoni to morrow. 1st, 2nd and 3rd on Saturday and 8th and 9th on Sunday afternoon. It attraccts absolutely fully house, and the applause is ekstatic. It is wonderful to hear one of the worlds leading symphoni orchestras playing Beethoven Symphonies, getting deep in to it with all their artistic knowledge.

The Vienna sound is there, even when they are playing in Paris. During the first nights concert I some times was locking the eyes and only were listening, then I was understanding how large a differanse there is between listening a concert live compared to listening to a CD, DVD, TV or Radio, because to be present, feeling the energy and the whole atmospahere does something absolutely extraordinary. To follow the musicians hard work, and the beautiful soloplayers specially in the wood, and to mark that the first players of the second violins were changing place between the two Symphonies. This gives the little extraordinary that you dont find when it is not alive.

The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classsical music because of the well known Destiny motiv that opens the symphoni. Da da da daa, (It begins by stating a distinctive four-note “short-short-short-long” motif twice on g.g.g.eb). Christian Thielemann conducted it  take it in strict allegro tempo, but other conductors has their own idea how to play the opening, I liked this way. The 5th Symphony is one of the most often played symphonies. First performed in 1808 in Vienna’s Theater an der Wien, the work achieved its prodigious reputation soon afterwards. It comprises four movements: an opening Sonata, starting with the famous theme mentioned, the motif appearing frequently in popular culture, from appearances in film and television to disco to rock and roll, as of Fate knocking at the door. Followed by an andante a lyrical work in double variation form, which means that two themes are presented and varied in alternation. Following the variations there is a long coda, then a fast scherzo  which leads directly to the finale. The triumphant and exhilarating finale begins without interruption after the scherzo. It is written in an unusual variant of sonata form, at the end of the developement section. E.T.A.Hoffmann described the symphony as “one of the most important works of the time”.

The final is one of that kind of finals where Beethoven is using absolutely all the musicians he has in the orchestra at the same time. Wonderful.

Beethoven dedicated the Fifth Symphony to two of his patrons, Prince Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz and Count Razumovsky. The dedication appeared in the first printed edition of April 1809.

A portrait of Beethoven in 1804, three years before the premiere of his 4th Symphony.

A portrait of Beethoven in 1804, three years before the premiere of his 4th Symphony.

The evening started with the 4th Symphony by Beethoven. Symphony No. 4 in B Flat Major opus 60. Too often overlooked, the Fourth Symphony is frequently overshadowed by Beethoven’s more dynamic Third and Fifth symphonies
. Following the monumental “Eroica” in chronology but not in style, the Fourth was placed closer to the more classical first two symphonies in the estimation of contemporaries. Beethoven wrote the piece during a late-summer stay at the palace of Count Franz von Oppersdorff, to whom the work eventually was dedicated.

The work premiered March 1807 at a private concert at a private concert of the home of Prince Franz Jozeph von Lobkowitz. The Lobkowitz Palace in Vienna, along with the first performance of the Fourth Piano Concerto. Though not much was written about the piece after its premiere, contemporaries celebrated it.

The Fourth Symphony uses a slow introduction, as he had in his first two symphonies followed by The Adagio is an expressive and relaxed rondo in E-flat major. Which gives inspiration from Haydn’s Symphony No. 102, in the same key. The second movement’s first solo is really a duet in octaves with the flute beginning. The third movement, Allegro vivace, combines elements of Scherzo and Minuet and has the trio section played twice, which creates a five-part structure instead of the usual three-part form.

The Symphony concludes with a dazzling perpetual motion Allegro, ma non troppo. The fourth symphony of Beethoven has many long exposed passages for the clarinet and the second movement solos are staples of nearly every audition.

It was a great opening evening with this Autumns visit of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Christian Thielemann.

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