Credits:

Philip Jordan, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Description:

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1900 as the "Vienna Performing Society Orchestra" and boasts a long history of more than 100 years. The orchestra's first recording of Beethoven's complete symphonies was undertaken by Philippe Jordan, who was appointed Chief Conductor in 2014. Like the first collection of Zycles, "Nos. 1 & 3," this album comes with a highly readable commentary by Walter Weidlinger, "Shadow Players and Adventurers. (Japanese translation of the booklet by Eimiko Yamashita) Weidlinger provides a detailed explanation of the works and at the same time shows the listener how Jordan perceives and approaches the works. The Fourth and Fifth Symphonies are generally regarded as having "contrasting characteristics," but Weidlinger focuses on the hidden dark character of the Fourth, and says that this is why it is significant to combine it with the Fifth, and to deepen the understanding of the work. Schumann once famously praised the Fourth Symphony as a "slender Greek maiden," and while Jordan does not deny it, he goes on to say in unique terms that the piece is by no means "supple, bright, or lyrical.First, he declares about the short introduction at the beginning of the first movement, "This is where the Romanticism begins," and citing many examples, he conveys the anxiety and darkness of No. 4, and mentions its connection to the following No. 5. In No. 5, "the work is not 'doomed,' but 'revolutionary,' and at the heart of the piece is rebellion, defiance, and anger," Jordaan says, adding that the three notes at the beginning "must be something that is inherently striking and painful. He has also given much thought to the overall structure of No. 5, and after considering historical changes in the deletion of repetitions, even the usually omitted trio repetitions in the third movement, he also points to Beethoven's metronome instructions and concludes that "repetitions are important to the overall structure. This detailed commentary will deepen your understanding of Jordaan's performance, including his sincere approach to the work, in which he elaborates on each note while also incorporating period techniques. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major Op. 60: Adagio - Allegro vivace
2.Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major Op. 60: Adagio
3.Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major Op. 60: Allegro vivace
4.Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major Op. 60: Allegro ma non troppo
5.Symphony No. 5 in c minor Op. 67: Allegro con brio
6.Symphony No. 5 in c minor Op. 67: Andante con moto
7.Symphony No. 5 in c minor Op. 67: Allegro
8.Symphony No. 5 in c minor Op. 67: Allegro