Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Rpo, Mark Ermler :: Beethoven: Symphony no 6, Egmont Overture / Ermler, Royal Philharmonic Orch

Mark Ermler, a longtime conductor at Moscow's Bolshoi Opera, has a decided point of view about the "Pastorale." His tempos are slow (the symphony lasts 50 minutes), and his attitude is similarly leisurely, but there is no lack of energy in the performance. Instead he takes his time to make musical points, showing us Beethoven's scenery in all its glorious detail (including a first-movement exposition repeat). The fourth-movement storm is vivid and exciting, the song of thanksgiving that follows quite moving. There are many worthwhile viewpoints on the "Pastorale"; this is certainly one of them, well worth hearing. The overture is similarly slow but intense. The recording perspective is a bit distant, but not enough to spoil the performances. --Leslie Gerber