Ordinarily, one wouldn't confuse a modern symphony orchestra with an ensemble of original Classical-era instruments, but under the direction of Jan Willem de Vriend, the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra could easily be mistaken for an early music group, particularly in the cycle of Beethoven symphonies it has recorded for Challenge Classics. Except for the authentic 18th and 19th century brass instruments that are used, which provide a distinctly incisive tone, the instrumentation is conventional. Furthermore, de Vriend ...
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Ordinarily, one wouldn't confuse a modern symphony orchestra with an ensemble of original Classical-era instruments, but under the direction of Jan Willem de Vriend, the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra could easily be mistaken for an early music group, particularly in the cycle of Beethoven symphonies it has recorded for Challenge Classics. Except for the authentic 18th and 19th century brass instruments that are used, which provide a distinctly incisive tone, the instrumentation is conventional. Furthermore, de Vriend doesn't go out of his way to make the Symphony No. 4 in in B flat major and the Symphony No. 6 in F major, "Pastorale," sound like historical re-creations, in terms of taking unduly faster tempos or other purported Classical practices. De Vriend, who also leads the early music ensemble Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, communicates an authentic feeling for the Classical period in his handling of expression and in the precise execution of the notes, eliciting energy, vitality, and robust...
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