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Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio |
| 2. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: II. Andante con moto |
| 3. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: III. Allegro |
| 4. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegro |
| 5. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68: Awakening Of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival In The Country: Allegro ma non troppo |
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gould at his best,
By hjonkers (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Symphonies 5&6 (Audio CD)
Gould did not like 'pianistic' composers, and as a result he virtually never recorded Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schubert and Liszt. This disc, together with the other containing the Pastorale, seems to be Gould's only entry to Liszt. The only reason for this was that Liszt had once transcribed all Beethoven symphonies. Gould, always looking for interesting new music, found these almost forgotten transcriptions interesting to record. He didn't record all nine, however, but just two. These two symphony transcriptions are now available at separate discs on Sony. Here lies my biggest problem with this disc: Why didn't Sony put both symphonies on one disc? I don't know exactly the lasting period of Gould's Pastorale, because I don't have that one, but even if those two didn't suit on one disc, Sony could have provided some more material on this cd. What we have here is 49 minutes of playing, which is more like an lp-lasting time. It seems to be another marketing trick of those dollar freaks at Sony. Enough about the cash; on to Gould. This is again a typical Gould recording. Although he plays the fifth symphony extremely slowly at times, the intensity and power of the orchestral version are never lost. The first movement is extremely powerful and aggressive (I have never heard him playing with more power), and it's really a pity that he doesn't repeat the exposition. Great playing, nevertheless, and the second movement is equally impressive, although in a very different way. It is from such a haunting beauty that it should be forbidden to play this piece with an orchestra any longer. Calm, dramatic and moving: every tone has something to say. The fact that he doesn't use the pedal too much adds an extra dimension, and the end of the song is thrilling. In the following Allegro he returns to the aggressiveness of the first part, and although he does not hold the speed record, the tension can be felt, which ultimately results in the start of the final movement. Here Gould shows he could sustain the slowest tempi he'd like, and still sound as if he were playing at high speed. He pushes the piano to its limit of excitement and sound. It is without doubt a great finish. (That first movement of the Pastorale isn't bad either, by the way). What Gould offers is almost equal to -or even better than- an orchestrated version of the Fifth. He is at his very best here. Highly recommended, in spite of Sony's behaviour. Think what could have been, had he recorded all nine symphony transcriptions: Gould in the Ninth's final...
2 of 5 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Does not compare to Cyprien Katsaris,
This review is from: Symphonies 5&6 (Audio CD)
I've heard several performances of Beethoven's Symphonies on piano. The performances by Cyprien Katsaris are far superior to Glenn Gould's. Katsaris closely follows the original score by Beethoven, takes the repeats, and plays at the proper tempo consistently. Gould hums, plays too slowly and never takes repeats.Comparing the 5th Symphony between Gould and Katsaris, it's easy to hear vast differences. Throughout the symphony, Katsaris plays with passion, excitement and tension. He adds notes left out by Liszt (and Gould) and he takes the repeats (often playing them the "ossia"). The symphony is much more entertaining and accurately played by Katsaris. The final movement by Gould is slow and almost boring. While Katsaris performs it quickly and precisely. Overall Katsaris adds notes for instruments Liszt left out for all 9 Symphonies and is much more accurate than any other performance I've ever heard. I highly recommend Cyprien Katsaris over anyone else for Beethoven's Symphonies.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews) 36 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathtaking: Beethoven's Fifth Played by Gould,
By R. Chmelar - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Symphonies 5&6 (Audio CD)
I bought this back in vinyl days as rather a novelty, but continue, some 20 years later, to listen to it (on CD) regularly for the never-ending inspiration and kinesthetic response it ellicits from me. I am not a music expert nor critic. I am a former dancer (modern) who can no longer move much. This is the kind of recording you can set up, lie down, close your eyes, and be transported by. It makes my internal organs dance! (Before I listen to it, I always turn off the phone.) Also, to hear Beethoven's Fifth the way Beethoven would have composed it, first played it (albeit on quite a different-sounding piano), and would have heard what he could -- certainly he would have felt its vibrations, that comes across clearly in Gould's heart-busting performance -- is far more than a "novelty" or "treat". I felt as if I were hearing a critical part in the evolution of Beethoven's Fifth. Ah, the tragedy that Gould did not record the other symphonies as he had planned! Listening to Gould on a modern piano, I sometimes wonder if Beethoven would have ever orchestrated the Fifth if he could have heard it this way. With the piano interpretation (and who greater than Liszt to transcribe it!), one hears the architecture of the Fifth in its purest form. To compare Gould's piano version to an orchestral version would be like comparing a great wine to a great meal. To this day, this recording can move me to tears.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT,
By Joe Cota - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Symphonies 5&6 (Audio CD)
Although I am a serious Gould fan, even non Gouldians can find something to love in this CD. The brilliant precision and accuracy of the Alegro con Brio movement is energizing, the introspective peace of the Andante con Moto movement is a beautiful segue to the Heroic Allegro movement is amazing, and the fourth movemnt is BREATHTAKING. I am a 13 year-old pianist/composer and this is a truly inspiring version of a truly brilliant piece that has a clarity and fire that makes all symphony versions seem diluted and mild in compare. If I could have only one CD for the rest of my life it would haev to be this one. Any arguments that Gould is cold, unemotional or dull will be truly put to rest with this recording. An absolute must have for ANY fan of music, Gould, or just people who are looking for an introduction to the Romantic period at its pinnacle. A MUST HAVE
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beethoven's Fifth for Piano Solo,
By Thomas Clark - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Symphonies 5&6 (Audio CD)
This CD is top-rate. The recording quality is excellent. Some piano recordings can sound distant--not this one. You feel like you're standing next to the piano. Glenn Gould plays Beethoven's Fifth Symphony with flawless virtuosity, and he stays true to the symphony. The piano arrangement by Liszt captures the symphony's message, and you will want to turn up the volume and listen to every note. If you like Beethoven's Fifth and you like solo piano, this CD is a winner. Note that only the first movement of the Sixth Symphony is on this CD.
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