Catalogue

Summary:

Following their AVIE debut of Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 (AV 0040), Douglas Boyd and Manchester Camerata offer stylish and enthusiastic performances of Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7. The earlier work sees the more classical and traditional composer using a smaller scale orchestra but nevertheless, this is still Beethoven in full power. Recent studies and the absence of surviving sketches suggest that it was composed in one creative burst, being finished in one week in the summer of 1806. By contrast, the 7th Symphony sees Beethoven at the height of his powers. It gives a glimpse of the writing and energy that Beethoven would make his own.

Tracklist:

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)

Symphony No. 4 in B flat Major
1. I – Adagio – Allegro vivace (11:48)
2. II – Adagio (9:38)
3. III – Allegro molto e vivace – Un poco meno allegro (5:45)
4. IV – Allegro ma non troppo (6:40)

Symphony No. 7 in A Major
5. I – Poco sostenuto – Vivace (14:02)
6. II – Allegretto (8:19)
7. III. Presto – Assai meno presto (8:52)
8. IV. Allegro con brio (8:31)

Total duration: 73:35

Manchester Camerata
Douglas Boyd, conductor

Recorded 3 February (Symphony No. 4) and 3 November 2007 (Symphony No. 7) at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, England
Recording Producer: Andrew Keener
Recording Engineer: Simon Eadon
Assistant Engineers: Hugh Walker (Symphony No. 4), Will Brown (Symphony No. 7)
Editor: Ben Steinitz