No matter how many recordings of Beethoven's Second Symphony you've heard, you've never heard anything like this one by
Rafael Kubelik. Even if you've heard his lovely and lyrical 1976
Concertgebouw Second recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, you've never heard a Second like
Kubelik's with the Symphonie Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks recorded live in the Théatre des Champs-Elysées in February 1971. A critic at the time described
Kubelik's Second as "Brahms' Werther," and it's true. With its fast tempos, driven rhythms, tight ensemble, wide dynamic range, and unmatched intensity,
Kubelik's Second is a passionate, even Romantic performance. While some listeners might not agree with the vehemence of
Kubelik's interpretation, it is completely convincing, and it will change the way they hear Beethoven's Second.
Kubelik's 1967 recording of Beethoven's Sixth, again with the Bavarian but recorded live in their home venue of Munich's Herkulssaal des Residenz, is nowhere near as challenging as his 1971 Second, but it is a lot more charming. While strongly rhythmic in the opening movements, magnificently dramatic in the penultimate movement, and radiantly beatific in its final movement,
Kubelik's Sixth is quintessentially lyrical, a love song to mother nature sung with the purity of heart and profundity of soul that were
Kubelik's trademarks. Audite's remastered stereo broadcast sound is not especially polished, but it is absolutely honest.