The recordings on this album are live recordings from five concerts that took place between August 29 and September 8, 2002, at the Liederhalle, Beethovensaal in Stuttgart.
Recording & Production
This album reflects a concert cycle from the 2002 European Music Festival, where Beethoven's symphonies were performed in the order of their composition, an unusual but chronologically accurate arrangement.
Instruments
To achieve a historically informed sound, this recording uses wind instruments from Beethoven's era, such as natural trumpets without valves, narrow-scale Baroque trombones, and smaller, pedal-less timpani played with wooden drumsticks.
Performer Biography
Sir Roger Norrington, the conductor of this recording, founded the London Classical Players in 1978 to research performance practice on original instruments.
Interpretation
While Norrington's interpretation aims for historical accuracy, the string instruments in this recording do not use gut strings or short necks, and are played with modern Tourte bows.
Interpretation
Conductor Sir Roger Norrington's approach to Beethoven's symphonies emphasizes faithful phrasing, articulation, dynamics, and adherence to Beethoven's prescribed tempi.
