“It is a reminder of country life, more an expression of the feeling I experience there than a picturesque description of it." Thus Beethoven wrote the program note for his sixth symphony, his Pastoral. I recall a jury discussion a few years ago for the presentation of the Cecilia Awards from the Belgian Music Press. The complete recording of Beethoven's symphonies was nominated and yet the question remained: "Is there still a need for new recordings of Beethoven's symphonies ?" Upon listening once more to a fragment of those two CDs, the reaction of the jury members was unanimous. Such beautiful sounds, such a personal interpretation they had never heard before. The recording naturally received a Cecilia Prize. And when Jordi Savall comes along with his Concert des Nations, you want to experience that live.
Thunderous applause as the Catalan, admittedly on crutches, takes the stage and sits down. At his age, 82, he's earned it. And then that sixth by Beethoven begins. Sublime in its opening, even more sublime in its execution, swelling where needed, never bombastic, almost restrained. This delightful clarity, transparency at its finest, we've heard very little of. And there are already many orchestras that have released complete cycles. But of course excellent musicians are playing here, and on period instruments at that. What an engaging sound this engaging man can conjure from his Concert des Nations. Indeed, very different from what we're used to with other orchestras. Closer to what Beethoven had in mind? Perhaps, for the conductor studied the pieces based on the original manuscripts. Every melodic and rhythmic line was unraveled and reassembled into unique soundscapes. The lyrical song of the nightingale and the cheerful call of the cuckoo from that "Scene by the Brook" you've never heard so beautifully rendered by the flute and clarinet respectively. The three final movements flow into one another and it begins with a cheerful Allegro or "Merry Gathering of Country Folk," full of swirling turns from a melodious horn section until thunder breaks loose with the orchestra at full strength and an excellent timpanist. Here you hear the obsessed romantic Beethoven at work, until the storm peacefully disappears as the sky clears and the orchestra broadly launches into the finale.
Before tackling the other famous symphony after the intermission, Jordi Savall calls for peace in the Middle East conflict, seconded by the sold-out hall, marred by one loud protestor. That Seventh by Beethoven is music of a different caliber, not only louder but especially more rousing. Here a vitalistic composer wrote, a work full of energy and especially full of rhythm. Refinement and subtlety give way to the extroverted and flamboyant Beethoven. In performance less spectacular 'differently' presented than the sixth. But when it comes to 'presto' and 'con brio' and galloping passages, it couldn't be more convincing.
The hall is of course ablaze with enthusiasm and Jordi Savall, humbly bowing, thanks his orchestra and the audience together, and without doubt Beethoven too. We receive another complete movement of a symphony as a gift.
WHAT: Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 (op. 68) and Symphony No. 7 (op. 92)
WHO: Le Concert des Nations, conductor Jordi Savall
WHERE: Henry Le Boeuf hall, BOZAR
WHEN: Thursday, December 20, 2023
