Herbert von Karajan — Ludwig van Beethoven — Symphonies 1st & 2nd — 1984

★★★★★

   Herbert von Karajan recorded Beethoven’s symphonies many times. Among dozens of studio and live recordings of performances with various orchestras, most important part of Karajan’s discography were cycles of nine symphonies he recorded first with Philharmonia Orchestra and three complete sets he recorded with Berliner Philharmoniker. First cycle has been published in 1955 by Columbia. Next three cycles were recorded for Deutsche Grammophone Gesellschaft — first in early 1960’s, second in late 1970’s and third in 1980’s. And these editions may be the most capacious vision of symphonic experience for those decades. Every rendition has its own qualities and fanatic proponents, wherein majority choices are generally earlier Karajan interpretations. In fact the volume of later editions was smaller, so the circulation of last performance was not as significant as it was before. Nonetheless this edition is extremely interesting one. It can be considered even as an artistic testament of the great conductor.
   The natural solution in Karajan’s DGG editions is setting first two of Beethoven’s symphonies on one LP. In 1970 these symphonies were reissued in changed configuration, but the main idea of keeping original order was retained in all editions. In fact the first two are among shortest of Beethoven’s symphonies and both are connected by style and orchestral demands. Strings, double winds, two trumpets and two horns plus timpani mark this instrumentation in classical mainstream. Although many stylistic elements show that music of first two Beethoven’s symphonies is clearly classical, most interesting qualities are elements differentiating young composer’s work from the conventional classical style. 

Karajan — Beethoven — 1st & 2nd Symphonies (1984)

   The First Symphony, composed in late 18th century and premiered in 1801 is rather a rebellious commentary than one more classical construction. Starting with harmonic passage introducing the key as a kind of musical joke, composer developing his construction always with a grain of salt, and in third movement Minuet everything become clear. It can be only a comic effect to imagine this very fast Allegro molto e vivace dance with minuet steps and figures. Keeping the name Minuet, Beethoven wrote his first scherzo in 1st Symphony. And since this movement is based entirely on harmonic scheme taken from opening Allegro con brio, there’s no doubt this is a caricature of these shaping principles. Here young Beethoven shows qualifications and sense of humor being manifestation of his independence.
   In Karajan’s 1984 recording Beethoven’s first two symphonies had been rendered in slightly slower tempos to enhance the articulation and sound perspective. The sound is unbelievably precise and thus the musical space is wide and clear, Beethoven’s music tissue in this recording looks like it was shown in aerial view. This occurred to be a great idea. Showing multitude of nuances, focusing his attention on various possible readings, Karajan gives listener a chance to find some new perspective and an unknown comprehension in decoding Beethoven’s music. After powerful Allegro con brio in 2nd Symphony, second movement  Larghetto spreads between mysticism and determination. Orchestra sounds clear and warm, sound space is as wide as it is possible. This deeply inspired performance opens whole series of Karajan’s 1984 recordings of Beethoven’s complete symphonies. Each record of this complete is worth highest rating, so this time there’s no need to count the stars.