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Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies / Trevino, Malmö Symphony
Ondine

Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies / Trevino, Malmö Symphony

$42.99

Details

Composer
BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN
Artist
Trevino
Format
SACD
Label
Ondine
Released
Jun 05, 2020
Catalog #
ODE 1348-5Q
UPC
761195134856

About

This new Beethoven symphony cycle with Malmö Symphony Orchestra is conductor Robert Trevino’s debut release on Ondine. Trevino is one of the fastest rising young conductors and known for his fresh and vivid interpretations of both standard repertoire as well as contemporary works. Trevino is currently holding the tenures as chief conductor of the Malmö Symphony Orchestra and as music director of the Basque National Orchestra. After studies with conductors David Zinman, Seiji Ozawa and Michael Tilson Thomas, Trevino worked closely as Leif Segerstam’s assistant before making his debuts with a number of leading symphony orchestras worldwide. These Beethoven symphonies were recorded in connection with a Beethoven festival which was arranged in Malmö, Sweden in October, 2019.

REVIEW:

It may seem bold and even brash for a relatively young conductor like Robert Trevino to launch a new label relationship with a Beethoven symphony cycle recorded in live performance. Yet he has an obvious affinity for this repertoire, compounded by the Malmö Symphony Orchestra’s polished and responsive music making. Ondine’s engineering captures the orchestra in fine detail without artificial spotlighting, conveying a genuine concert hall ambience.

In a perceptive interview with David Patrick Stearns published as part of this set’s annotations, Trevino cites consultations with David Zinman and Daniel Barenboim concerning interpretive matters. Indeed there’s evidence of Zinman’s chamber-like aesthetic and fast tempos, as well as the power and dynamism distinguishing Barenboim’s great Berlin Staatskapelle Beethoven symphony cycle. But Trevino goes his own way, with variable results.

His brisk outer movements in Symphony No. 1 are akin to Toscanini’s opera buffa approach, particularly in the Allegro con brio development section’s playful woodwind repartée. Certain phrases in the Minuet push ever-so-slightly ahead of the beat, yet remain securely locked in, ensemble-wise. In No. 2, Trevino effects an assiduous transition between the Adagio introduction and an enchantingly rollicking Allegro con brio. For all its suppleness of execution, I prefer the more pointed string articulation in Paavo Järvi’s similarly conceived traversal. The controlled delicacy in the Larghetto’s softer music makes this movement sound faster than its actual duration, although it’s on the square side when compared alongside the more robust and inflected Harnoncourt reading.

Trevino undersells the cross-rhythmic sforzandos in the Eroica symphony’s first movement, while the exposition’s basic tempo gradually spreads and slows down: not a lot, but the energy flags. Trevino’s Funeral March is as eloquent and moving as the catalog’s best versions. The conductor accelerates for the Fughetta, yet the carefully layered counterpoint and tremendous dynamic build reflect the music’s shattering intent. The Scherzo has all of Szell/Cleveland’s surface perfection, minus its nervous energy, while the finale variations brilliantly showcase the Mälmo woodwinds’ proficiency.

Trevino largely underplays No. 4. The opening Adagio’s blended string and woodwind passages are super clear but lack the foreboding aura of Thomas Fey’s marked dynamic contrasts and stinging accents. The slow movement’s two-note phrases are not as well-defined as in the Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony recording.

Some may find No. 5’s first movement overly driven, yet Trevino’s attention to linear interplay never derails. If the Andante con moto doesn’t aspire to Beethoven’s “dolce” directive, notice the uncommon clarity of the upper strings’ staccato 32nd notes. The Scherzo’s clipped detaché tuttis and difficult cello/bass fugal entrance in the Trio are appropriately forceful, while the Allegro finale mirrors the first movement’s relentless momentum.

In the Pastorale, Trevino emulates Zinman’s transparency and fast tempos, but with more distinctive first-desk soloists. The bird-call intimations in the second movement are deliciously shaped, but the fourth-movement storm doesn’t break out into a Klempererian or Kleiberian torrent.

No. 7’s fast-paced outer movements border on glibness, missing the force and drama with which Barenboim/Berlin Staatskapelle, Wand/NDR, the first Solti/Chicago, and Carlos Kleiber/Bavarian State Radio Orchestra grab you by the jugular, figuratively speaking.

Trevino’s first-movement tricks in No. 8 don’t quite work, such as a diminuendo in the opening phrase that telegraphs the subito piano that follows, plus odd accelerandos here and there. The conductor gives short shrift to the cross-rhythmic accents, and to the cellos and basses who carry the melodic burden in the transition leading into the recapitulation. The Allegretto’s woodwind gurgles are recessed to polite effect, when they ought to be in your face. The rollicking finale stands out for deft interplay between orchestral strands, yet the similarly lithe Haitink/London Symphony recording proves more incisive in every respect.

Trevino maintains the basic tempo of No. 9’s first movement with little modification, and makes expressive points solely through variety of articulation and specificity of phrasing. The Scherzo’s vibrantly shaped Trio compensates for the main section’s coolness and lack of fervency. In the briskly reserved Adagio, the decorative string passages still manage to sing out and breathe. And the “Ode to Joy” finale benefits from fine singing and “centrist” tempos that are intelligently unified and not too fast nor too slow.

The conductor observes all repeats, eschews the traditional brass reinforcements in the Ninth’s Scherzo, and opts for the trumpets continuing their phrases in the Eroica first-movement coda. If this Beethoven cycle falls short of our reference versions’ consistent satisfaction and seasoned authority, Robert Trevino’s stylish flair, astute musicianship, and good taste are never in doubt.

– ClassicsToday (Jed Distler)

Tracklist 37 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio 08:54
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
    Duration
    08:54
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  3. 2 II. Andante cantabile con moto 07:45
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante cantabile con moto
    Duration
    07:45
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  4. 3 III. Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace 03:21
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace
    Duration
    03:21
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  5. 4 IV. Finale: Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace 05:25
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale: Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace
    Duration
    05:25
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  6. 5 I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio 11:41
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
    Duration
    11:41
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  7. 6 II. Larghetto 11:51
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Larghetto
    Duration
    11:51
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  8. 7 III. Scherzo: Allegro 03:23
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Scherzo: Allegro
    Duration
    03:23
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  9. 8 IV. Allegro molto 05:59
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Allegro molto
    Duration
    05:59
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  10. Disc 2
  11. 1 I. Allegro con brio 17:27
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    17:27
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  12. 2 II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai 15:43
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai
    Duration
    15:43
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  13. 3 III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace 05:42
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace
    Duration
    05:42
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  14. 4 IV. Finale: Allegro molto 11:51
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale: Allegro molto
    Duration
    11:51
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  15. 5 I. Adagio - Allegro vivace 11:30
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Adagio - Allegro vivace
    Duration
    11:30
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  16. 6 II. Adagio 10:00
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    10:00
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  17. 7 III. Allegro molto e vivace 05:23
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Allegro molto e vivace
    Duration
    05:23
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  18. 8 IV. Allegro ma non troppo 06:48
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Allegro ma non troppo
    Duration
    06:48
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  19. Disc 3
  20. 1 I. Allegro con brio 06:43
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    06:43
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  21. 2 II. Andante con moto 09:40
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante con moto
    Duration
    09:40
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  22. 3 III. Allegro - 04:49
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro -
    Duration
    04:49
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  23. 4 IV. Allegro 10:05
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro
    Duration
    10:05
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  24. 5 I. Awakening of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival in the Country: Allegro ma non troppo 12:01
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Awakening of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival in the Country: Allegro ma non troppo
    Duration
    12:01
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  25. 6 II. Scene by the Brook: Andante molto mosso 12:54
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Scene by the Brook: Andante molto mosso
    Duration
    12:54
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  26. 7 III. Merry Gathering of Country Folk: Allegro 05:03
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Merry Gathering of Country Folk: Allegro
    Duration
    05:03
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  27. 8 IV. Thunderstorm: Allegro 03:35
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Thunderstorm: Allegro
    Duration
    03:35
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  28. 9 V. Shepherd's Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings after the Storm: Allegretto 09:24
    Track
    9
    Title
    V. Shepherd's Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings after the Storm: Allegretto
    Duration
    09:24
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  29. Disc 4
  30. 1 I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace 13:16
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
    Duration
    13:16
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  31. 2 II. Allegretto 08:41
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Allegretto
    Duration
    08:41
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  32. 3 III. Presto, assai meno presto 09:10
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Presto, assai meno presto
    Duration
    09:10
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  33. 4 IV. Allegro con brio 08:06
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    08:06
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  34. 5 I. Allegro vivace e con brio 09:18
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Allegro vivace e con brio
    Duration
    09:18
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  35. 6 II. Allegretto scherzando 03:58
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Allegretto scherzando
    Duration
    03:58
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  36. 7 III. Tempo di menuetto 04:31
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Tempo di menuetto
    Duration
    04:31
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  37. 8 IV. Allegro vivace 07:06
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Allegro vivace
    Duration
    07:06
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  38. Disc 5
  39. 1 I. Allegro ma non troppo e un poco maestoso 14:28
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro ma non troppo e un poco maestoso
    Duration
    14:28
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  40. 2 II. Molto vivace 13:25
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Molto vivace
    Duration
    13:25
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  41. 3 III. Adagio molto e cantabile 14:31
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Adagio molto e cantabile
    Duration
    14:31
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño
  42. 4 IV. Finale: Presto - Allegro assai 23:42
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale: Presto - Allegro assai
    Duration
    23:42
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer
    Kate Royal, Christine Rice, Tuomas Katajala, Derek Welton
    Ensemble
    MSO Festival Chorus, Malmö Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Robert Treviño