Beethoven • Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.55 "Eroica"
Modern ears used to historically informed performance practices will undoubtedly be jarred by Walter’s tempo choices and use of full orchestra. But after repeated listening, I find that the slower tempi allow for more time to appreciate Beethoven’s structure and melodic scheme. And if "Eroica" can be considered the pivotal point between the Classical and Romantic eras, Walter’s frequent use of rubato puts this performance squarely in the latter camp. The first movement is less well served by Walter’s moderate tempo and will certainly feel sluggish to some. Movement two is particularly effective, and the depth of emotion may have been influenced by Walter facing his own mortality the previous year. The scherzo is perhaps the most successful performance on this recording, and the famous hunting-horn trio performance is excellent. It's a shame the horns are not more present in the mix. The final movement, allegro molto (very fast), is given a stately tempo, with emphasis on structure and form, and it is a fitting ending to Walter’s insightful recording. Pallas, where all Speakers Corner LPs are pressed, has
done a good job with this reissue, which is free from surface pops and ticks. When
comparing this new pressing of "Eroica" to the one that's part of the 1973
Odyssey boxed set of Beethoven symphonies [Odyssey Y7 30051], this Speakers Corner LP is
clearly more resolving and has better image definition. It also has a blacker background
with almost no surface noise, whereas the Odyssey edition has a distinctly grayish
background noise that intrudes on the music and obscures some low-level detail. Both
versions have some steeliness in the massed strings of the first movement, but Speakers
Corner’s version is still clearly superior in every way and the one to own. |
ecorded in January
of 1958 at Hollywood’s Legion Hall, Bruno Walter’s performance of
Beethoven’s "Eroica" symphony was part of what critics have called a
valedictory or farewell portion of Walter's career. His close friend Arturo Toscanini had
died the previous year, and Walter was recovering from a heart attack of his own. He was
81, so it would be natural to assume that he lacked strength due to his health concerns,
but this version of "Eroica" certainly shows his ability to extract excitement
and passion from an orchestra.