Review by Luukas May 16, 2014 (1 of 4 found this review helpful)
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This Membran label's release of Beethoven's Fourth Symphony and Wellington's Victory (Battle Symphony) is very welcomed: I have Herbert von Karajan's recording of Wellington's Victory, and this is maybe this work's only SACD release. Beethoven composed his Fourth Symphony in 1806, and it is composer's funniest and liveliest symphony. Mr. Wordsworth conducts good, but I heard better versions of this work, for example Osmo Vänskä's punchy version (BIS). The first movement's dramatic begin is performed very well, and moving main theme is enjoyable. The beautiful second movement is also good, and orchestra's tone is warmly. The fast third movement isn't so good - there are some little fails - but still it is just good. The virtuosity finale sounds excellent. And now, the effectively Battle Symphony. It begins snare drum's growing rhythm and grows in great battle section. The "cannon shots" are performed by bass drums, and the rattle's sound is loudly. Symphony's second part is better; the beautiful version of England's national anthem, "God save the Queen" is very good. All in all, very good introduction of Beethoven's music! Membran label's 5.1 surround recording is outstanding and pure, and SACD is packaged beautifully. The only minor thing is booklet's cover, it is boring. Why they cannot use different picture?
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