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In Reply to: Sorry, but the Vanska really put me off. posted by jsm on January 1, 2007 at 11:30:41:
I completely agree with yours and Russell's remarks about Vanska's approach. You, Russell, and I agree that the Vanska has a more "Mozartian" approach to Beethoven's 9th than what is "typical". (Although I do disagree that Vanska sounds like "early Mozart", except that even "early Mozart" definitely sounded like Mozart). Even the untrained ear (yours truly) does not have to dig deep to uncover this very salient difference.It almost makes you (me) wonder if Vanska and Haitink were reading the same score. And while I prefer Haitink, I find the differences very intriguing and these differences have compelled me to delve into Vanska approach, in particular, and Beethoven's 9th, in general, more deeply than I have in the past. It seems that Vanska approach is very calculated and in no way accidental. Perhaps he dug *too* deeply into music to come up with an interpretation that he believed what was originally intended. Or maybe he has hit on something.
Remember this music dates back to 1817-1821 that is far closer to the classical period than to the Romantic era. And we (as human beings) have well documented tendencies to make things bigger, grander, more exciting, and more dramatic, with larger orchestral forces that may have been originally envisioned 150-180 years ago, because it is better suited to our tastes. You see this a lot with early pieces that are done with modern instruments and larger forces. Sometimes they are on the existential edge of being transcriptions without being called so. But when we here "period" pieces we tend to like the "modern" versions better (at least I do) because that what we are use to.
We will always have a reasonably good idea as to what Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra" or Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" are *suppose* to sound like because we can go back and listen to recordings done by the composers themselves or read about which ones they felt hit the spot. (Of course, we will also, without hesitation, criticize the composer himself). But unfortunately the earliest (recorded) references that we have for most classical music that we enjoy today were done 200-150 years after the fact.
It definitely has taken me multiple listens to begin to see merit in Vanska's approach. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I wrote in this forum that Vanska's approach didn't "grab me" like it has some other listeners. I have since begun to accept it as a viable alternative to the other favorite, more readily palatable, interpretations.
At the same time I highly recommend Haitink's Beethoven 9th that is probably my favorite recorded in the digital era and would most appreciate you comments on it.
Robert C. Lang
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Follow Ups
- It did so for me...at first - Robert C. Lang 22:02:09 01/01/07 (1)
- I'm definitely not giving up on the Vanska. - jsm 12:37:37 01/02/07 (0)
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