Wagner called Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony “the apotheosis of dance.” This quality is evident in Iván Fischer’s spectacular January, 2014 performance with Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
It isn’t that we hear “dance music” in this sunny, spirited, A major romp of a Symphony. Instead, it’s the instrumental voices of the orchestra which seem to enter into a sublime “dance.” One by one, they come to life and weave together in between the celebratory chords of the opening introduction. In the opening of the second movement, the “dance” turns into a solemn procession, beginning in the low strings. Listen to the way this persistently repeated rhythmic ostinato rises to heroic proportions as the movement unfolds. (String players will notice Fischer’s embrace of the open E string in the first violins around 16:00 and the distinct tone color which results).
Listen with good headphones, and you may hear some musical lines which often get obscured. (For example, the clarity of the inner voices in the passage beginning at 2:52). Perhaps this is a result of a combination of factors including the fine acoustics and intimacy of the Concertgebouw, excellent recording quality, and an incredible cohesiveness and precision in the orchestra. Regardless, a special, buoyant energy runs through this magical performance:
Recordings
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92, Iván Fischer, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amazon
I attended a glorious performance by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra in an all-Dvorák program at Avery Fischer Hall, Lincoln Center in 2014. In February of 2017 we braved blizzard conditions and hazardous driving to attend another glorious performance in an all-Beethoven program at Symphony Hall, Boston. The performance by Iván Fischer and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is spectacular! I would love to attend an event with Iván Fischer conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra!
https://marymcgagh.blogspot.com/2014/06/new-york-city-escapade.html
https://marymcgagh.blogspot.com/2017/02/budapest-festival-orchestra-february-12.html
This is a perfect example of what an almost miraculous collaboration a great symphony orchestra, conductor and composer can be! As someone who sat in symphony orchestras for many years, I think this illustrates the true art of conducting on the part of Ivan Fischer. Bravo!