Beethoven: Symphony No. 8

The Concertgebouworkest under the baton of Iván Fischer performs Ludwig van Beethoven’s bright Symphony No. 8. You can watch the performance with or without Iván Fischer’s commentary.

 

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8

Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Symphony No. 8 immediately after No. 7. They were also considered as a pair because of their musical content: the pointed and bright Eighth Symphony stands in strong contrast to the stirringly romantic Seventh. Of all of Beethoven’s symphonies, the Eighth is in any case the wittiest with amusing and novel ideas in each movement. For example, an absurdly humorous effect is created by Beethoven placing an elegant and graceful melody over the woodwinds’ ‘metronomic’ ticking; according to Iván Fischer, this melody could easily come straight from a Rossini opera.

Iván Fischer, conductor

Iván Fischer has been a welcome guest conductor with the Concertgebouworkest since 1987. Fischer’s way of working, which is as unusual as it is committed, and the musicians’ enthusiasm and virtuosity always result in very special performances. You can watch the performance of Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony with or without Iván Fischer’s commentary. The conductor’s fascinating explanation takes you straight to Beethoven’s time.

watch the concert with commentary by Iván Fischer

 

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8

Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Symphony No. 8 immediately after No. 7. They were also considered as a pair because of their musical content: the pointed and bright Eighth Symphony stands in strong contrast to the stirringly romantic Seventh. Of all of Beethoven’s symphonies, the Eighth is in any case the wittiest with amusing and novel ideas in each movement. For example, an absurdly humorous effect is created by Beethoven placing an elegant and graceful melody over the woodwinds’ ‘metronomic’ ticking; according to Iván Fischer, this melody could easily come straight from a Rossini opera.

Iván Fischer, conductor

Iván Fischer has been a welcome guest conductor with the Concertgebouworkest since 1987. Fischer’s way of working, which is as unusual as it is committed, and the musicians’ enthusiasm and virtuosity always result in very special performances. You can watch the performance of Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony with or without Iván Fischer’s commentary. The conductor’s fascinating explanation takes you straight to Beethoven’s time.

watch the concert with commentary by Iván Fischer

 

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