Beethoven 1 & 3 Recording – Anna Picard

Posted on November 15, 2009

The weighty refinement of modern instruments and the incisive articulation of historical performance practice combine to thrilling effect in Douglas Boyd’s live recording of Beethoven’s 1st and 3rd symphonies with Manchester Camerata. Perceptively detailed, No 1 has a suspenseful, playful menuetto and a searing finale. After the ecstatic birth pangs of the 3rd’s marcia funebre, you can hear Mozart leaving the stage as a new music is born: bold, lithe and noble. An exhilarating addition to the catalogue of Beethoven cycles.

Beethoven 1 & 3 Recording – Anna Picard, Arts and Culture Journalist – The Independent on Sunday