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Title: Another titan in Beethoven, Erich Kleiber
Review: If we limits ourselves to narrow classifications, I suppose we would call Kleiber a "classical" conductor, in the same we would label Furtwaengler and Mengelberg as "romantic." But as I grow older, I realize the uselessness of such pidgeonholing. Kleiber's "Eroica" is marked by great rhythmic control and consistency, intensity, and a clarity of textures that is rare, even amongst the more technically-minded of conductors. I normally prefer a broad Funeral March, but Kleiber brings it off at a more marchlike tempo, because of the great intensity he brings to the music. As for the Fifth, no one has ever matched the ferocious onslaught of the First Movement or the majesty of the Finale in this performance. And the recorded sound, particularly in the Fifth, is awesome. As for the orchestra, only Mengelberg elicted such potent playing from the Concertgebouw as heard here. Now, more Kleiber from Decca, please!
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