John Barbirolli - Beethoven: Symphonies No. 1, 3 & 8; Leonore Overture (1958-1969) [2020 SACD Definition Serie]

As 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, we cannot afford to ignore Barbirolli's important recording, "Heroes." In the UK, due to label policy, there were not many opportunities for British conductors to record originally German works, even though they were part of the regular concert repertoire. Barbirolli is no exception, and Beethoven only has five symphonies, including monaural sound sources. This time, the three songs No. 1, No. 3, and No. 8 recorded in stereo, and "Leonore Overture No. 3" have been collected on two discs ("Emperor" is also available in stereo). Furthermore, since there are few recordings with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, "Hero" is valuable. This sound source has a hidden popularity among Barbirolli's many recordings, and although its reprint was delayed in the CD era, it became a hot topic when it was reissued. This is a rare and fulfilling "hero" that brings out the original profoundness of the song. In addition, this reprint includes two short pieces by Purcell and Bach with the Hallé Orchestra, recorded in 1969, his last year. In particular, Purcell's ``Suite'' is a version that he himself arranged from the original arrangement for string orchestra during his time with the New York Philharmonic to include woodwinds and horns, and in 1956 when he was in the monaural era, he also arranged Barbirolli's arrangement. I was recording on PYE. This is a work that Barbirolli was fond of.

*As it is a machine translation, the result may not provide an accurate description.
Please use it only as a reference.



Tracks:

Disc 1
1. Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21
2. Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
3. Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b

Disc 2
4. Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55, "Eroica"
5. Henry Purcell: Suite in G Major, Z. 770 (arr. Barbirolli)
6. J.S. Bach: Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!, BWV 208, Sheep May Safely Graze

Personnel:

The Hallé (1-3, 5, 6)
The BBC Symphony Orchestra (4)
Conducted by Sir John Barbirolli

Recorded:
January 1958 (1, 2), April 2 & 9, 1959 (3), Free Trade Hall, Manchester
May 18 & 19, 1967 (4), No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
May 27, 1969 (5, 6), Kingsway Hall, London