BEETHOVEN: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 (Abbado) (PAL)

Director Bob Coles

Picture Format: 16:9
Sound Format: LPCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Running Time: 75 mins
Region Code: PAL All
Cat no.: DV-BPAB25

Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic had been working together for 12 years before being asked to perform all of Beethoven's symphonies at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome during February 2001. This recording features Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op.36 and Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op.67.

For these performances the usually large string section is eschewed and the bass group is reduced in the 2nd symphony to a mere three double basses and four cellos, thereby achieving an amazingly refined orchestral sound.

Abbado has spent decades refining his interpretations of Beethoven, and uses the new score from Jonathan del Mar for this concert. With faster tempi than in earlier performances and convincing tempo links between the individual movements, exciting dramatic developments and sensitive lyrical cantilenas become evident in this new approach.