Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Antal Dorati :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 "Pastoral"

Beethoven's 5th and 6th Shine Like Never Before

Rachel Garret | Beverly Hills | 01/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Antal Dorati was a conductor in the traditional lines of the great conductors such as Arturo Toscanini and Leopold Stokowsky. Dorati combined energy and expression so perfectly that the precision of every music line is a religious experience. Dorati's mastership of the orchestra has never sounded more sublime than in his conducting of Beethoven's 5th and 6th symphonies. On this recording, released by Polygram label, and evidently a digitally reissue of the original LP, sounds breathtaking, crisp, clear, powerful, dynamic, romantic, expressive, lush and very detailed. Antal Dorati was a conductor who always took the composer's score seriously, to the letter, but interpreted the music with innovative style, sophistication, grandeur- in short, all the variety that can be conjured in conducting a great piece of classical music. Beethoven's 5th is undoubtedly among the greatest symphonies, a standard repertoire in any leading orchestra worldwide, and a program in every concert. The first movement has the famous, easily recognized four notes which sound powerful and bombastic, which to the untrained, ignorant ear would sound pompous, but to the appreciative listener, the notes we do not hear in those famous notes are Fate knocking at the door, a powerful presence urgently making itself known. The rest of the movement continues in an elaborate, cosmic struggle, a pounding effect is heard in the staccato strings, resembling a jackhammer, and only now and then do the clarinets and winds evoke a sense of peace. Effectively, it can be a description of war, or perhaps any terrible conflict involving intelligent people, or even more likely, Beethoven was describing not only his inner conflict but the conflict of all people with their society or with the universe itself. As in the case of Beethoven' 9th, the structure is similar. The first movements on the 5th and 9th are chaotic, violent, full of fire, Wagnerian fatalism and grandeur. But in the slower movements ther is symmetry, uplifting peace and spirituality. Finally, the last movement represents triumph over fate, good winning over evil, an exalted bliss that unifies a connected humanity that has overcome the deadliest elements. This is true of Beethoven's finale to the 5th. Trumpets flare with majesty and an exciting, accented beat in the strings rushes the whole thing appropriately, dynamically. A critic of Beethoven's time, upon hearing the Fifth's finale, said that it resembled a chariot passing beneath the open legs of the statue of a Greek god. At the hands of Antal Dorati, it is the best interpretation.Dorati handles the Pastoral Symphony No. 6 with equal aplomb. The beauty, spirituality and peaceful representation of humankind and its relationship with nature has never sounded more enticing. The first movement, allegro, resonates with lyricism and colorization of each individual instrument. Dorati does not miss a beat as he further expresses the variety in this symphony. After daylight country celebrations, the darker, "Thunderstorm" fourth movement becomes powerfully dramatic and violent. The finale again returns to that romantic serenity of which only Beethoven could conjure in his gifted mind. The strings are hushed and elegant, the symphony concludes as if to represent the evening and the wee hours of the morning."

Underrated Classic Beethoven's 5th Recording

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 10/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heartily agree with all of Rachel Garrett's review. This is a must have for fans of conductor Antal Dorati, himself an underrated conductor. Like Ferenc Fricsay and other great but unsung conductors, Dorati may have well surpassed Karajan if he were given far more credit. In his career, and a long one which spanned the 50's through the 70's, he recorded all of Haydn's symphonies, works of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Milhaud, Prokofiev and several 20th century works. Dorati personally knew Bela Bartok and championed his works as well. His Beethoven's 7th is also on recording.



Dorati treats the 5th and 6th with integrity. Both sound completely different from each other so that one doesnt even know its the same conductor. The 5th is powerful, dramatic and full of classical brilliance. Moments of "storm and strung" are balanced with delicate tenderness. The 5th's fist movement is famous of course. The rest is not as memorable but is fantastic music. The Finale is explosive. In contrast, the 6th is purely bucolic and melodic. Each movement is a painting of a rural ideal paradise. Scene from a Brook, Night, etc. The only moment of Beethovenesque fatalism is in the Storm movement. The rest on Dorati's hands are supremely peaceful and beautiful note by note. Don't hestitate to get this recording which is great and is affordable. If you are still unsatisfied then try Karajan's version, another winner."