Beethoven:Symphony Nos. 5 & 7 [HONECK, PITTSBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA] [REFERENCE RECORDINGS: FR-718]

Classica Orchestrale – BEETHOVEN Ludwig van: Symphonies; Sinfonia n.5 op 67 in do (1807); Sinfonia n.7 op 92 in LA (1812)
The Pittsburgh/Honeck Beethoven album reaches the shortlist of this century’s great Beethoven symphony recordings. Also on my list are recordings by the Leipzig Gewandhaus with Riccardo Chailly, the Berlin Philharmonic with Claudio Abbado, and Anima Eterna with Jos van Immerseel. This disc might have the best sound quality of all and it certainly has revolutionary booklet notes. You don’t often find yourself learning new things, and hearing new angles, in music as well-worn as Beethoven’s Fifth. That is what makes this such a special experience. RECORDING OF THE MONTH –MusicWeb, Nov’15Sensible readers will already possess Carlos Kleiber’s legendary coupling of Beethoven 5 and 7, taped with the Vienna Philharmonic in the mid 1970s. Manfred Honeck’s Pittsburgh disc will hopefully turn out to be as enduring. Honeck spent many years as Vienna Philharmonic violinist, playing Beethoven under the likes of Karajan, Abbado, Harnoncourt and Kleiber, so you’d expect him to know these pieces inside out. These performances, though never sluggish, are huge. In the best possible way. Their grandeur is irresistible, reminding us just how rare large-scale, modern instrument performances are. We know that Beethoven preferred big orchestras. He’d presumably have loved this disc. Antiphonal violins are beautifully clear, and the lower strings possess incredible depth. Winds and brass are outstanding, with spectacular horns. The weighty, rhetorical opening of Honeck’s Fifth is striking, in his words giving it a grandiose weight, power and vehemence. What ensues has intoxicating energy. Honeck’s notes point out various things which usually pass unheard, like the horns blasting out the motto theme six minutes in. Taut inner movements and a very Brucknerian transition lead to the most exultant of finales. Glorious. As is this Seventh, the Vivace’s rhythms enunciated with impeccable clarity. Honeck follows Carlos Kleiber in having the violins play pizzicato at the end of the second movement, a decision based on Kleiber’s father’s examination of Beethoven’s manuscript. And, again, what a finale. The earth moves. There’s a wonderful moment seven minutes in, where the shadows briefly descend. Honeck’s handling of it is matchless, and the closing pages are overwhelming. This disc should be prescribed as an anti-depressant, showing doubters exactly why classical music can still entertain and overwhelm. Everything I’ve heard from this particular orchestra/conductor combo has delighted me, and this is their best recording to date. Flawless engineering, and Honeck’s enthusiastic notes are a joy to read. CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST CLASSICAL CDS OF 2015 –ArtsDesk 05/12/15A shining example of a conductor who understands the works from inside out. **** Musical Opinion, July-Sept’16. /// The Pittsburg playing marries epic power with a revealing translucency of texture. Honeck has a wonderful ear for detail. GRAMOPHONE EDITORS CHOICE –Gramophone, Dec’15