BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” – Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra /Andrew Manze – Harmonia mundi HMU 807470 Multichannel SACD, 70 min. *****:
Upon first receiving this disc, I’d already decided that with period specialist Andrew Manze conducting the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra (who number less than 60 players), we were probably going to get a much more historically-appropriate rendition of Beethoven’s groundbreaking symphony. Wrong! This excellent disc is as full-bodied as they come, and offers an insightful interpretation in the guise of a “concept” album of sorts. The grain of an idea for the E flat major allegro that found its way into not only a set of piano variations, the 12 Contredances and the finale of The Creatures of Prometheus, also was skillfully reworked as the finale to the Symphony No. 3, which conductor Andrew Manze argues may be “the greatest and most important symphony ever written.”
Prior to the composition of the “Eroica” Symphony, Beethoven was in a state of disillusionment, and his ever-increasing deafness plagued him to the point of even contemplating suicide. He was, however, greatly enamored with Napoleon Bonaparte and his ideals as a constitutional reformer, and decided to compose a symphony in his honor. Fortunately, this distracted Beethoven from any further thoughts of ending his own life. However, prior to the symphony’s first performance, Napoleon declared himself Emperor, and an enraged Beethoven scratched Napoleon’s name from the dedication on the autograph page of the symphony. At the symphony’s debut, many of the mostly autocratic audience came expecting somewhat lighter fare, and were definitely taken aback by the symphony’s length and serious tone. The evening in no way turned out to be the success that Beethoven had imagined for his bold new work.
While this disc might not challenge any of its predecessors for reference status on artistic and interpretive terms, it nonetheless offers an exceptionally good performance of the work on a generously-proportioned disc that really helps one gain a measure of insight into Beethoven’s compositional process through the remaining works on the program. From a technical standpoint, this multichannel disc is indeed reference quality, and offers a superb impression of the recorded acoustic. Combined with the magnificent playing of the Helsingborg ensemble, makes this excellent disc from Harmonia mundi truly essential listening. Very highly recommended!
— Tom Gibbs
