Beethoven: Symphony No. 4, 1st movement | Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Finished in the autumn of 1806, this symphony begins tentatively and in a somber mood before an explosion of good feelings takes over in the first movement. That explains the double heading "Adagio – Allegro vivace" (Leisurely – Fast and vivacious). Asked what his favorite symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven is, maestro Paavo Järvi is hesitant to name just one, but he does admit to having a soft spot for the Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, opus 60. Not particularly heroic like the Third nor really dramatic like the Fifth, the Fourth has been described as "romantic" – sometimes in connection with Beethoven's secret affair with the countess Josefine van Brunswick, which transpired about that time. Looking at Beethoven's nine symphonies, you see an overall dramaturgy. One contrasts with the next, particularly when you compare the Third, Fourth and Fifth Symphonies. That's why Robert Schumann famously described the Fourth as "a Greek maiden between two Nordic titans." Apart from questionable gender-based descriptions, this does point to Beethoven's B Major Symphony opus 60 as a bit scaled back, more graceful than forceful. Which by no means makes Beethoven's Fourth a trifle. There's plenty of joy and idealism to be heard here too. Deutsche Welle and Unitel Classica present Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi, conductor of the year 2019, and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, recorded at the Beethovenfest in Bonn. #Beethoven4 #PaavoJaervi #DeutscheKammerphilharmonieBremen Listen and watch – your personal concert hall https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... Subscribe to DW Classical Music:    / dwclassicalmusic