I've got a lot to share on the speeds in Beethoven 9. After I listened to the Zander/Philharmonia version when it was newly released, I once wrote a personal review on why the speeds made sense. I would like to share some excerpts from it with you. I know that not everyone will agree with the things I'm saying about the symphony, but it would be good if I could circulate some points of it, hoping that sympathetic and interested readers spot them.
Could I also share some thoughts on recordings in a future comment?
Yes of course. Beethoven’s own metronome indications for the 9th cannot possibly be correct. There are many theories out there that try to explain it. Over the years I have become more accustomed to the faster speeds closer to Beethoven’s indications, but too fast and the music loses all sense of structure and line. Notes are lost or not heard well. But too slow isn’t good either UNLESS, like Furtwangler, you know how to effectively phrase things and vary speeds in a way that feels right. He sped up and slowed down several times in the same movement.
I would like to hear your thoughts. I could go on and on about the 9th.
Thank you for your warm response to my thoughts. Since the Beethoven 9 is a large topic, could you give me time to organise my thoughts before I share them with you?
Yes of course.
I've got a lot to share on the speeds in Beethoven 9. After I listened to the Zander/Philharmonia version when it was newly released, I once wrote a personal review on why the speeds made sense. I would like to share some excerpts from it with you. I know that not everyone will agree with the things I'm saying about the symphony, but it would be good if I could circulate some points of it, hoping that sympathetic and interested readers spot them.
Could I also share some thoughts on recordings in a future comment?
Yes of course. Beethoven’s own metronome indications for the 9th cannot possibly be correct. There are many theories out there that try to explain it. Over the years I have become more accustomed to the faster speeds closer to Beethoven’s indications, but too fast and the music loses all sense of structure and line. Notes are lost or not heard well. But too slow isn’t good either UNLESS, like Furtwangler, you know how to effectively phrase things and vary speeds in a way that feels right. He sped up and slowed down several times in the same movement.
I would like to hear your thoughts. I could go on and on about the 9th.
Thank you for your warm response to my thoughts. Since the Beethoven 9 is a large topic, could you give me time to organise my thoughts before I share them with you?