Thread: My biggest problem with Thielemann's Beethoven DVDs

Is it his dour expression?

Is it his interpretive choices?

Is it the venue?

No, it's none of these...


it's


The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

On CD they're fine. But, why would anyone want to watch them on a DVD? A virtually all-male ensemble might be fine aurally, but visually.....YAWN

I find Thielemann's performances of the Beethoven symphonies both dull and wayward. He indulges in some excruciating changes of tempo, ritardandos and accellerandos that are not in the score in a way that ruins the natural ebb and flow of the music.

I really can't listen to them.

I hear these programs are good. Has anyone here seen them?

I bought the Blu-Ray with 7-9 on it. Thus far, I've only watched 7 and the hour-long commentary on it that's also on the disc.

I really didn't mind his interpretation, it's just that the whole thing was pretty visually dull. He's not very entertaining to watch and the orchestra, as I indicated, is just an endless sea of old men in formal dress.

Originally Posted by Vesteralen

I bought the Blu-Ray with 7-9 on it. Thus far, I've only watched 7 and the hour-long commentary on it that's also on the disc.

I really didn't mind his interpretation, it's just that the whole thing was pretty visually dull. He's not very entertaining to watch and the orchestra, as I indicated, is just an endless sea of old men in formal dress.

Well, you are forcing us to look at yet another one ;-)


EDIT: Vesteralen has since changed his avatar picture.

Originally Posted by joen_cph

Well, you are forcing us to look at yet another one ;-)

too-SHAY

Originally Posted by Vesteralen

I really didn't mind his interpretation, it's just that the whole thing was pretty visually dull. He's not very entertaining to watch and the orchestra, as I indicated, is just an endless sea of old men in formal dress.

Are you asking for recommendations of videos that feature attractive women?

There...is that better?

Originally Posted by bigshot

Are you asking for recommendations of videos that feature attractive women?

I didn't say anything about attractive....

I know how Vesteralen feels because I get bored when I watch all white/black/whatever people doing anything. Even ballet. I prefer non-homogenous groups. South Africa is not nicknamed the Rainbow Nation for nothing.

Originally Posted by Vesteralen

I really didn't mind his interpretation, it's just that the whole thing was pretty visually dull. He's not very entertaining to watch and the orchestra, as I indicated, is just an endless sea of old men in formal dress.

Classical concerts are not usually very exciting to watch. The most important thing is the MUSIC, in case it has escaped your notice. Would you have preferred Thielemann to have indulged in some bizarre dancing and flailing around? I suppose that then, at least, there would have been SOMETHING interesting about the videos.

Terminally dull!

I meant this to be a light-hearted kind of thread. But, if you must know, here's an article that inspired me to start it:

http://www.osborne-conant.org/vpo2011.htm

Originally Posted by Delicious Manager

Classical concerts are not usually very exciting to watch. The most important thing is the MUSIC, in case it has escaped your notice. Would you have preferred Thielemann to have indulged in some bizarre dancing and flailing around? I suppose that then, at least, there would have been SOMETHING interesting about the videos.

Terminally dull!

No need to get huffy, DM...

See above post for explanation.

Time to bow out of this whole thing before somebody turns into a forum terrorist.

By the way, is that Chaminade ?

Originally Posted by joen_cph

By the way, is that Chaminade ?

Indeed it is.

My picture change might have been funnier if it didn't also change all my old posts.....
But, we know how these things work.