Beethoven Symphony No.4 on Record

"A slender Greek maiden between two Norse giants."

Robert Schumann

"Such a height of passion as even Beethoven's fiery nature perhaps never reached elsewhere."

Sir George Grove

This work - premiered on March 15 1807 - suffers, as Robert Schumann's somewhat misleading analogy suggests, by comparison with its two neighbours; consequently it has garnered rather fewer recordings.

Recommended versions

Stereo

The most exciting modern recording I know of is a live performance by the Bavarian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the mercurial Carlos Kleiber, son of Erich (Orfeo). Unfortunately, as with his other Beethoven recordings, this performance is offered alone on CD and is thus no bargain; also the performance does tend to be somewhat unrelenting, however there is no doubt that this is great music-making and those who respond to it will consider the price money well-spent.

For those who consider the Orfeo Fourth over-priced, there is an Italian CD, of dubious provenance, coupling live Kleiber performances of the Forth and Seventh. The disc, on the Topazio (yes, I know) label, offers no serious documentation and, for all I know, these could simply be the Philips Laserdisc performances bootlegged. They are exciting though.

Harnoncourt is probably the safest modern recommendation, especially as it is coupled with his superb 7th.

Karajan's 1962 recording is another safe recommendation.

Historical

Furtwängler's 1943 performance was available on a DG CD and as part of a 10CD set of wartime performances: not for the casual collector, but vital for those interested in historic recordings. I believe it can now be found in a Music & Arts set. His 1952 studio version is also as good as any, and, again, surprisingly well recorded for its age.

Period

The HIP crowd are generally successful in the Fourth and there is little to choose between Norrington, Hogwood, Brüggen, or indeed Gardiner.

Symphony No.3, "Eroica"	Symphony No.5
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