Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, Pastoral | Sylvain Cambreling & Kammerorchester Basel

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 - the Pastoral Symphony - is one of the music’s most iconic depictions of nature. Here, it’s being performed at the 2021 Beethovenfest Bonn by the Kammerorchester Basel, conducted by Sylvain Cambreling, in the World Conference Center (WCCB).
(00:00) Opening
(00:23) I. Allegro ma non troppo: Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande (Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country)
(11:39) II. Andante molto mosso: Szene am Bach (Scene at the brook)
(23:42) III. Allegro: Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute (Merry gathering of country folk)
(29:05) IV. Allegro: Gewitter, Sturm (Thunderstorm; Storm)
(32:56) V. Allegretto: Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm (Shepherds' song; cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm)
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) completed his Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 in 1808. At the time, the musician was already known for his breaking with traditional patterns, and this symphony was no exception. A great lover of walks in the countryside, he came up with the idea of representing nature through composition; rural scenes and pastoral life were to receive musical depictions.
The composer concerned himself not at all with the direct representation of specific natural events, however - it was ideas and sensations that were to serve as inspirations for the composition. Later, this new approach - in which the musical form had receded into the background - was called a ‘symphony of ideas’. Beethoven’s Sixth contains five movements. In addition to the usual tempo indications, the composer provided descriptive titles for each.
The symphony begins with an ‘awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside’, to be taken at an Allegro ma non troppo tempo - ‘fast, but not exceedingly so’.
This first movement of Beethoven's Sixth involves a number of tempos, moods, feelings, and effects. One thing is notably absent, however - that driving thrust so typical for Beethoven; the struggle and passion of striving towards the attainment of a goal. Instead, the primary theme repeats. In parts of the first movement, time seems to slow down - and even stand still. The composer himself said of the first movement that it ought to be "More an expression of feeling than tone-painting."
The symphony’s second movement evokes images of ripples on a creek and birdsong. To heighten the impression, Beethoven added the description ‘scene at the brook’ to the tempo heading Andante molto mosso - ‘as though walking, very moving’. Beethoven rarely explained his music, but in this case, he remarked: "It's left to the listener to figure out the situations. Anyone who has any idea of life in the countryside can discern the composer's intent even without titles or headings."
In his notes for the musicians, Beethoven goes into greater detail, indicating in the score that the calls of the nightingale, the quail and the cuckoo are to be rendered by the flute, the oboe and two clarinets. The final three movements begin with a 'merry gathering of country folk', with the tempo called for being Allegro - ‘quick and bright’.
Altogether, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 anticipates what later would become known as ‘program music’ - music that describes a situation or tells a story. At the merry gathering we can make out an oom-pah-pah village band which is not quite playing together, rendering it all the more boisterous as if to make up for it.
"My decree," wrote Ludwig van Beethoven: "Stay in the countryside. My unfortunate hearing problem doesn't plague me here. It's as though, in the country, every tree was speaking to me. Holy, holy! Who can express it all? Sweet quietude of the forest!"
That same sweet quietude comes to an abrupt end in the fourth movement, with the arrival of a ‘thunderstorm’, to be taken at a fast clip - Allegro. It's the shortest yet most dramatic movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony. Thunder, screeching wind and a downpour are all readily invoked.
Following the country folk’s merriment and the storm comes the finale of Beethoven's Sixth; a ‘shepherds’ song’ of ‘cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm’. This closing part of the piece is characterized by fairly brisk pace - Allegretto.
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[@Gonzol7]

This is a beautifully delivered performance. The strings blend so well with their fine tone, thanks in large part to minimal or, most often, no vibrato; it makes them play so much in tune! The natural horns and trumpets have their elegant blare, and everyone plays with such sprezzatura. The timpanist has wooden mallets which make a delicious tone, and Herr Cambreling has chosen perfect tempos. The second movement in particular has such schwung. A real pleasure!

[@nachosibon5552]

Quien ama la Música... Ama la Vida ❤️

[@HidyDae]

Ich liebe den weichen Klang der historischen Musikinstrumenten. Ich danke herzlich dafür, dass ich diese schöne Musik per Internet zuhören kann.

[@user-xz2bb5hh6l]

Beethovensmusik ist ein Ozean voller Zaubertoene dessen Tiefen noch unerforscht bleiben...

[@Barkotina]

Beethoven - straight bangers

[@cgardner85]

Great music to listen to while I’m studying for my midterm exam.

[@analuisacarrillodiaz4075]

Mi mente se transporta a un lugar muy bello, un espacio grande donde hay árboles, pasto y las ovejas confiadas al cuidado de su pastor. Me relaja del principio hasta el final. Felicitaciones al Director y a la Orquesta!!! Santiago de Chile

[@HidyDae]

I love the mellow sound of historical musical instruments. Thank you very much for that I can listen this excellent music per internet.

[@fulgenjbatista4640]

🕊🌟🕊 For this major BEAUTY Thank you 🙏💜🙏 💜🎵💜

[@Paskudnak]

Wonderful ❤

[@hildaperezaguirre3472]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@notaire2]

Klare und wunderschöne Aufführung dieser scheinbar idyllischen doch wesentlich perfekt komponierten Sinfonie mit seidigen Tönen aller Streicher, milden Tönen aller Holzbläser und brillanten Tönen aller Blechbläser. Der intelligente und erfahrene Dirigent leitet das perfekt trainierte Kammerorchester im relativ schnellen Tempo und mit perfekt kontrollierter Dynamik. Wahrlich hörenswert!

[@cyrusamirmoazami6232]

Tu connais bien il me semble.!?

[@yahmk3978]

Vielen Dank!

[@italianlifestyle7911]

Bellissimo✨❤️✨

[@user-pi2tl8iu6z]

참 좋습니다(very good).

[@CarrieLangkabel]

Beautiful

[@0556799]

Bravo!!!

[@user-kw8nw6kk6s]

I belonged old days " Orchestra!

[@lenanielsen5903]

Very beautiful🍃thank you

[@DWClassicalMusic]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@hudsoncampos2201]

Bravo

[@litoboy5]

GREAT

[@antonioantonio-no2uc]

Bruno Walter, Bohm. Furtwangler, Toscanini, Wand, Cluytens, Schuricht, Harnoncourt...

[@donrodriguez9119]

Beethoven used the instruments to create the sound of nature that nobody taught that it could be possible. Even though all of his symphonies are great, I like this one plus the symphonies #5 and #9.

[@meussieu460]

👏 ❤️

[@user-vi2ky7zt3i]

첫소절 듣자마자 끝까지 들어야겠다는 생각을 갖게합니다

[@DWClassicalMusic]

시청해 주셔서 감사합니다 😊

[@sandygardiner6433]

🌹❤️

[@Bobbnoxious]

Why is the conductor's hair green in the thumbnail? For a moment I thought The Joker was doing Beethoven...

[@user-ul9fz5ju6j]

この音楽を聴くと小学校？中学校？どっちかの卒業式の授与式の音楽でした。懐かしいです。40年近いですが！

[@annemarie4137]

👋👋🌸🌿🙏DW

[@alfredo3440]

Was ist der Sinn des Lebens? Man kann ihn nicht ergründen. Aber wer Beethovens Pastorale hören durfte, kommt der Antwort schon sehr nahe. Wer die Pastorale in seinem Leben hören durfte, hat nicht vergebens gelebt. Die Pastorale ist mehr wert, als all der schnöde Tand, hinter dem die Menschen herjagen.

[@christiandelisoconductor75]

Many errors...