Very enjoyable, PP, thanks. I once heard this concerto described, accurately though also with tongue-in-cheek, as "the lyrical one." I suppose that is so, particularly in light of the one that follows it. Oh well, going to Beethoven for lyricism is like going to Ford for a Camry. But it is grand.
I've also heard Zimermann described as cold, but Bernstein seems to have lit a fire under him here. After the first few minutes I dropped the video, so I missed most of ole Dionysos' monkeyshines. But I have to give the devil his due: if there is a living conductor who has even a whisker of Bernstein's ability to lead an orchestra, I'd really like to see him at work -- as long as what he is conducting was not composed by Bernstein.
Very enjoyable, PP, thanks. I once heard this concerto described, accurately though also with tongue-in-cheek, as "the lyrical one." I suppose that is so, particularly in light of the one that follows it. Oh well, going to Beethoven for lyricism is like going to Ford for a Camry. But it is grand.
ReplyDeleteI've also heard Zimermann described as cold, but Bernstein seems to have lit a fire under him here. After the first few minutes I dropped the video, so I missed most of ole Dionysos' monkeyshines. But I have to give the devil his due: if there is a living conductor who has even a whisker of Bernstein's ability to lead an orchestra, I'd really like to see him at work -- as long as what he is conducting was not composed by Bernstein.