Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 (2004)

Can listeners be shocked anymore? After the aural assault of scrappy and scrawny period instruments performing Beethoven's mighty and magnificent "Eroica," can listeners still be shocked by a recording that not only uses period instruments and historically informed performance practices, but attempts to replicate the original performance itself by using the same size orchestra recorded in the hall in which the premiere occurred? That is what we have here with a 28-piece orchestra fittingly called Ensemble 28 performing the ... Read More

Can listeners be shocked anymore? After the aural assault of scrappy and scrawny period instruments performing Beethoven's mighty and magnificent "Eroica," can listeners still be shocked by a recording that not only uses period instruments and historically informed performance practices, but attempts to replicate the original performance itself by using the same size orchestra recorded in the hall in which the premiere occurred? That is what we have here with a 28-piece orchestra fittingly called Ensemble 28 performing the "Eroica" in the Palais Lobkowitz in Vienna under the direction of conductor Daniel Grossman.If it is possible to be shocked anymore, then this recording is shocking. Performing on period instruments, Ensemble 28's sound is extremely bright and brilliantly colorful. With 14 wind, brass, and tympani players against only 14 string players, the textures here are so transparent they practically glow. And with a multi-international cast of players, the enthusiasm is so energetic it... Read Less