Simon Rattle conducts Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 was composed at a time when the composer was expressing despondency about his increasing deafness in the famous Heiligenstadt Testament. Here too, the cheerfulness of the work keeps collapsing into an expression of shimmering agitation. In the Fifth Symphony, in contrast, we encounter a different Beethoven who addresses his destiny with forceful determination, all the way to the Finale that is sure of victory.

Berliner Philharmoniker

Sir Simon Rattle

Programme Guide

© 2015 Berlin Phil Media GmbH

Artists

Sir Simon Rattle Chief conductor 2002–2018
Ludwig van Beethoven composer

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