Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 (1938) Weingartner/LSO

Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony no. 2 in D Major, 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio (0:07) 2. Larghetto (9:55) 3. Scherzo. Allegro (20:07) 4. Allegro molto (23:27) Felix Weingartner, conductor London Symphony Orchestra Recorded on March 2, 1938 in Abbey Road Studio 1, London Beethoven’s Second Symphony from 1802, in our opinion, has never been as popular as it deserves to be. It is distinctly Beethoven throughout, and like the Fourth, only pales when compared with what followed it. Beethoven was on the brink of shaking up the musical world, but this symphony was not very well received when first introduced. We are already on a new scale of symphonic music in the 2nd, and there are even some powerful moments that presage the greatness that was yet to come. It is often referred to as the last work of his early period. The second movement is an extended Larghetto, and offers a glimpse of a thematic style that would reappear in his “Pastorale“. The third movement abandons the use of menuetto, and gives us his first scherzo in the form. The final movement uses an interesting thematic device, which some friends and contemporaries compared to a belch or flatulence along with its aftermath; a characterization that the young Beethoven neither denied nor discouraged. 1802 was the first year in which his lifelong digestive troubles began to assert themselves, and it was also the year in which he began to realize that his hearing loss could be incurable. This is another example of Weingartner’s exceptional gift for Beethoven. The present performance of the Second Symphony, like his others, is particularly memorable. As is often the case with Abbey Road recordings made in the 1930s, we are treated to pre-war high fidelity from 78 rpm direct-to-disk technology at its finest. In spite of his passing in 1942 we are left with a rich legacy of very high quality recordings from Weingartner, thanks in no small part to his uncompromising standards as one of the foremost innovators in the recording studio. Field Acoustic and sonic restoration (2023): Paul Howard - The Yucaipa Studio In order for our posts to remain commercial-free, we do not monetize on this channel. If you wish to offer support for this kind of music and sound, you may make a donation to: