This excellent series of recordings, emanating from Arte Nova with the
Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich under David Zinman, continues with a riveting
version of the 4th Symphony (coupled with the Eroica) which has just been
broadcast complete on BBC R3 this morning.

This has, I think, to be heard.  Notwithstanding the exhilarating
conducting, the excellent playing and recorded sound (beautiful soaring
and bubbling woodwinds it is as if the varnish has been stripped away -
and what enormous fun the percussion section seem to be having (side drum,
timps and bass drum all crystal clear).  Thrilling and great fun.  Have the
other symphonies issued so far all been as good as this?

And at budget price!  Here is something to be added, at once, to the 'must
get' list (but one shouldn't forget, and certainly never discard, the very
different and more traditional Klemperer Philharmonia performance - still
an essential part of any Beethoven symphony collection).

The same programme also selected Serge Baudo's performance (on EMI) of
"L'apres-midi" as the best version in "Building a Record Library".  A fine
performance but the programme completely omitted any mention of the 1954
Cantelli performance (Testament)!  People are funny - or is everyone
getting younger?

John G. Deacon
Home page:         http://www.ctv.es/USERS/j.deacon
PIPEDOWN - Campaign Against Piped Music http://www.btinternet.com/~pipedown