www.resmusica.com, 20. Mai 2014
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 may be one of the most performed pieces of orchestral music, and the first 2-4 measures of this work could be the most recognized musical excerpt of all of classical music. With a legacy consisting of literally countless recordings and interpretations, how does one approach this well-worn score and still make it sound vital and fresh?
Based on this evening’s performance, Haenchen’s answer to this question appeared to be straightforward: let the music speak for itself. Play the music as Beethoven wrote it, play it well, make it move and flow, and stay out of the way. Conducting without a score, Haenchen’s interpretation was decidedly non-interventionist. This performance was characterized by tight ensemble, particular attention to dynamics and articulations, and flowing tempos. By ensuring that these fundamentals were firmly established, everything simply fell into place. This was an excellent rendition of a timeless classic. ...