This BGM is our cd.
BEETHOVEN's Symphony no.6 "Pastorale" beginning of II.
Conductor’s comment
My thoughts to Symphony “Pastoral”
I have had this “thoughts to Symphony” since when I was quite young.
In truth I did not like it so much. No, I rather hated. The turning point of change of my taste was that my master Mr. Kazuo YAMADA told me to study this music in his lesson.
“I dislike this music. I ask
you another.” I said. “Whether you dislike or not, consider to
it. You must treat at least once.” He said without angry.
I blush to remember that I
said such to that strict teacher shamelessly. After several years
he said “I also disliked
that music so I can understand you well. Therefore I was eager to
give you lessons. But no one else said such words as you.”
In his lessons I was taught intonation (at that time, I heard phrase).
I learned that there are many
sounds without auftact (it starts before bar) that exist
generally. (cf. top page of comment)
It is the first step that
I stick to phrase.
As I read it, the situation of music came out. I will tell you here.
It is not meticulous as interpretation of “Egmont” that I recorded for coupling. Because of a difference between a work for a drama and individual symphony I think it does not stick to the story so meticulously.
First I will tell about a previous knowledge of this work.
In the first performance, that famous “Symphony No.5 (Fate)” was also performed for the first time. Moreover some pieces from great work “Missa Solemunis” and “Fantasie fur Klavier” etc. were performed.
It is said it was composed about 200 years ago, 1807～8. Though the Opera “Leonore” was failed, I think he was doing well generally that period.
Especially I want to pay attention to that Beethoven was in love with a widow, Josefine from the end of 1804. It is the period that he might spend quite happy time during his lovely days.
This is thought to have influenced deeply on the character of this music.
The basis of it is contrast with “Fate” that was composed almost at the same time.
Needless to say it is music of very strong insistence. As it is said that he told “the fate comes in this way”, it can be thought the event that changed his fate was wrote with passion whether it was the truth or not.
The contrast with it may be calm peace. It is not difficult to imagine that he composed remembering happy time.
But Beethoven does not show frank expression, though.
Ⅰ movement : Voice of birds and sound of winds accompanied with a carriage. Where did he go within a warm sunlight?
Ⅲ,Ⅳ movements : Dance and storm. More explanation is not needed now.
Ⅴ movement : Seeing sunset it is finished by vespers（the evening prayer） at last.
Then what is Ⅱ movement? It is written scene of stream（Szene Bach）. Except storm, other movements have comments of emotion for example “happy”. But why does it have nothing?
To consider that he expressed the scene frankly same as storm of Ⅳ movement there are too much variations from spring to torrent.
I would feel exaltation of his emotion. It must be his love emotion to sweetheart. I hear calling of birds as conversation of lovers and it may be considered as exaltation of their emotions.
The image of Beethoven is stiff yet, I think it was somewhat made up.
Indeed his features or actions seem to be blunt but there are many music of rather naive impression.
As it can be seen in “Egmont” Overture for coupling, not only in the strong will of Graf Egmont or the image of fighting against bravely but also in the development of story that we can see in the origin like fleeting love novel he had interested. That is the noteworthy point I think.
I want you to here the other side of Beethoven that no other distinguished conductors have performed yet.
Conductor Noriaki Kitamura
detailed interpretation of “Egmont” Overture
I put that.
If you are interested in it please access.
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