Rafael Kubelik - Beethoven: Symphonies 6, 7 & 8 (1973, 1975) [2017 SACD]

PENTATONE’s third release from Rafael Kubelik’s acclaimed Beethoven cycle of symphonies in its Remastered Classics series is his commanding reading of the sixth, seventh and eighth symphonies performed by the Orchestre de Paris, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.
“This is an essential Pastoral,” wrote ClassicsToday.com about Kubelik’s interpretation of Beethoven’s enchanting and evocative sixth symphony, “an irresistibly sumptuous orchestral timbre … the ensemble balance is simply remarkable, allowing virtually every individual instrumental line (particularly Beethoven’s marvellous woodwind writing) to emerge clearly.”
Radiant, energetic and pulsating with driving rhythms, the seventh symphony is one of Beethoven’s most exuberant works, realised with panache here with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. “Full, rich string and brass sonorities and excellent rhythmic clarity … this is a very high-minded interpretation … the precision is still razor sharp and the playing is vibrant and colourful”. (ClassicsToday.com).
symphony, “an irresistibly sumptuous orchestral timbre … the ensemble balance is simply remarkable, allowing virtually every individual instrumental line (particularly Beethoven’s marvellous woodwind writing) to emerge clearly.” Radiant, energetic and pulsating with driving rhythms, the seventh symphony is one of Beethoven’s most exuberant works, realised with panache here with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. “Full, rich string and brass sonorities and excellent rhythmic clarity … this is a very high-minded interpretation … the precision is still razor sharp and the playing is vibrant and colourful”. (ClassicsToday.com).
Sometimes known as the “hymn to humour”, the genial eighth symphony sits as an intriguing gem between the imposing seventh and stupendous ninth symphonies. In a performance described as “light-footed and bristling with energy” (AllMusic), Kubelik captures the work’s essentially irreverent spirit with vibrant and colourful playing from the Cleveland Orchestra.
Rafael Kubelik recorded his cycle of Beethoven symphonies in the 1970s for Deutsche Grammophon, each with a different orchestra, earning widespread praise. Although recorded in multi-channel sound, these unmissable performances have previously been available only in the conventional two-channel stereo format. Using state of the art technology which avoids the need for re-mixing, PENTATONE’s engineers have remastered the original studio tapes to bring the performances to life as originally intended: in compelling and pristine multi-channel sound.
Other releases from PENTATONE in the Kubelik Beethoven cycle are the Symphonies 1 & 4 (with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra) and Symphonies 2 & 5 (with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra).


Tracks:

SACD 1
Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68 - “Pastoral”
1) Allegro ma non troppo 11.06
2) Andante molto mosso 14.26
3) Allegro 5.52
4) Allegro 4.00
5) Allegretto 10.18

SACD2
Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92
1) Poco sostenuto - Vivace 13.22
2) Allegretto 9.25
3) Presto – Assai meno presto 9.28
4) Allegro con brio 7.09
Symphony No.8 in F, Op.93
5) Allegro vivace e con brio 9.25
6) Allegretto scherzando 4.03
7) Tempo di menuetto 5.05
8) Allegro vivace 7.34

Personnel:

Rafael Kubelik
Orchestre de Paris (SACD1)
Wiener Philharmoniker (SACD2, 1-4)
The Cleveland Orchestra (SACD2, 5-8)