Beethoven / Polish Chamber Phil Orch / Rajski

Tacet's Beethoven Symphonies 1 Beethoven / Polish Chamber Phil Orch / Rajski Audiophile Edition

LAST CHANCE!

In view of the large catalog of convincing Beethoven recordings, it takes a certain amount of self-confidence to bring another edition of the symphonies onto the market. With this production of Beethoven's symphonies, a fresh wind blows through the high house of Viennese Classicism, which could blow many a sound monument enthroned there off its pedestal. The reason for this lies not only in the outstanding sound, in which the two early symphonies blossom with youthful freshness, but also in the courageous and bold approach of the interpreters: Wojciech Rajski and the Polish Chamber Orchestra perform a joyfully rousing, but by no means luridly illustrative Beethoven. The musicians know how to blend the explosive core and its soft transformation excellently and provide a clearly defined and rich-sounding listening pleasure.

Loving attention is paid to the recording and reproduction of the wind passages, whose full-bodied intensity recalls recordings with Otto Klemperer in the 1950s and 1960s. Rajski indulges in brisk tempos in the corner movements, unleashing all virtuosic forces especially in the explosive finale of the 2nd Symphony. In the Eighth, whose throbbing gesture in the second movement was once attributed to Mälzel, the inventor of the metronome, the lively playing of the Polish players unleashes all rhythmic, metrical and not least humorous forces. At the latest now that these fire-headed symphonies are ready in their entirety at Tacet, reference hunters should set their sights on this record edition.

All 9 symphonies by Beethoven in the flawless complete recording by Wojciech Rajski and the Polish Chamber Philharmonic complete on LP. Crisp in rhythm, secure in intonation, biting, elegant, contemplative, exciting, always transparent - all the advantages of a modern Beethoven interpretation on modern instruments are gathered here. All the clever tricks and the whole vinyl know-how of TACET are used. The symphonies 1 to 8, for example, were recorded at half speed using a specially developed filter.

Some symphonies already existed as "Tube Only" versions on LP. They are herewith replaced by new mixes which, although no longer from a tube-equipped analog tape, have other important advantages, e.g. clearer details due to more microphones. We recommend the use of "L'Art du Son" LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.