A Visit To Arcadia

Two unambiguously upbeat symphonies on a feelgood disk to either reinforce a feeling of well being or engender one if that is what is required. Karl Bohm conducts the Wiener Philharmoniker in fine performances of Beethoven's Symphony No 6, the Pastoral and in Schubert's Symphony No 5. Beethoven's symphony isn't so much a tone poem painting sound pictures of the countryside, storms notwithstanding, but is more the description of a state of mind. In his turbulant life, it is good to know that Beethoven did experience such times of simple uncomplicated happiness and it is occasionally good for us to hear works that aren't overhung with shadows of darkness. Wonderful memorable tunes of course, as there are in the Schubert. The opening to Schubert's fifth symphony is in a similar sunny mood with a firm confident stride that seems to epitomise the young man embarking on a purposeful hike through either country paths or city streets. The whole piece and indeed the coupling, evoke a feeling of Arcadia and it is hard to think of them being better played than here, even though the recording is now approaching the vintage category.