Beethoven - Complete overtures: Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra/David Zinman

This fresh, feisty recording more than challenges more familiar readings of Beethoven’s much recorded overtures says Jane Jones.

Composer: Beethoven
Repertoire: Complete overtures
Artists: Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra/David Zinman
Rating: 4/5 
Genre: Orchestral 
Label: Arte Nova 82876 57831 2

There’s such freshness and vigour here to challenge more familiar, pedestrian readings of Beethoven’s overtures, plus the real benefit of rarities such as Zur Namensfeier making this a must-have collection. The use of interesting ‘authentic’ touches, which is the hallmark of Zinman and his orchestra, adds to the texture. I thought this disc might be ‘just another...’ – but far from it: it is as feisty and raw as the man himself.