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In the Forum: Musical Discussions
In the Thread: A great conductor - but almost unknown - Anton Nanut
Post Subject: The “toy sound” of BeethovenPosted by Romy the Cat on: 10/16/2007
 mats wrote:
I agree about the fragility but perhaps less so about "toy like". I am just now hearing for the first time Beethoven's 7th by Nanut and the second movement is very lovely, beautiful, mesmerizing and as the Eroica seemingly well understood by the performers…
Well, it has more to do not with allegations of the Nanut’s band but rather with how I perceive orchestral sound. Beethoven, in my view, has own sound orchestral sound. Play Beethoven requires dynamic-type of orchestra with well- developed cello, violas and upper-basses, with extended violin sections of a high caliber, well synchronized with winds. To play Beethoven requires a wet performing hall … and you can’t sit at the first rows…

Although there is nothing to “blame” in Nanuet’s orchestra but I feel that their tone more be suitable for Shostakovich symphonies, for Britten’s works, for Stravinsky or for French music. It does not have that necessary for me - Beethoven’s weight. Nanut’s orchestra has in a way a mechanical sound (do not confuse with mechanical play – they play wonderfully). This “mechanical” sound does not flow itself it has low inertia. Navy speaking” Beethoven’s sound travels as crafts on air-cushion, while the Nanut’s orchestra more like a torpedo boat. Perhaps Nanut’s orchestra should be playing is a different hall, or recorded with a different balance. As is it sounding to me a little “toy-like”. Tonally that would be a good sound for 3rd-4rd orchestras in country but the fist orchestra should play larger, more dimensional, harmonically slower, particularly when then play Beethoven, even the pre-Third symphonies. Tonal substance wise unfortunately the Slovenian orchestra to me more sounds like a BPO played via … a single driver speaker… :-)

The caT

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