Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major | Pekka Kuusisto & NCO

Pekka Kuusisto, artistic director
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
1. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio 0:02
2. Andante cantabile con moto 9:10
3. Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace 16:10
4. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace 19:27

Live recording from Universitetes Aula, Oslo on 29 August 2023.

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[curtisgrindahl]

These musicians are clearly having a great deal of fun making music together. This is wonderful... of course, I love everything NCO does. Thanks for sharing this with us on YouTube.

[kisa]

I was there on the day! It was soooo fantastic, exciting and lovely concert. I’m really happy to hear it again. Thank you for sharing❤

[camilosavio]

amazing amazing amazing! top ideas, top musicians, top chamber music, amazing!

[alfretchkristovebuna]

One of my favorite Chamber Orchestras! Love from Philippines!!

[pittbritt]

an astonishing performance - thanks for sharing! There's such joy in watching the entire orchestra (and, particularly, the exchanges between musicians at the back of sections) playing on the edge throughout. More please!

[mumps]

Loved it! Amazing performance. Beginning of 4th mvt made me laugh out loud 😀. Waiting for your world tour to bring you to Baltimore, MD, USA!

[csillagdave]

extremely innovative, very clever and in the same time authentic ideas 👏🏻👏🏻

[jandrewscali]

Love, love, love it! Hope to see you all live some day!

[benjaminniemczyk]

Exciting! It is great to hear Beethoven played so cleanly and with such enthusiasm.

[LucienMarine]

With this first symphony, Beethoven firmly establishes himself into the tradition of the Classical symphonic style of his predecessors and idols Haydn and Mozart. And yet his own voice shines through, particularly in the ways he uses tricks and turns in the last two movements. Indeed, these qualities drew the attention and admiration of the audience and of performances that followed, introducing to concert-goers the creative, ironic, and unique mind of Vienna’s symphonic composer. The structural and formal similarities between Beethoven’s First Symphony and similar works from Haydn and Mozart offer a valuable glimpse at Beethoven’s pragmatic side along with his ties to symphonic tradition. Obviously, Beethoven was aware of his audience and the expectations of others, and he carefully constructed a symphony firmly within the guidelines set by those before him, yet included moments where his own voice shines through. The words of Count Ferdinand Waldstein (his friend) resonate throughout the work and Beethoven proves himself worthy of the responsibility entrusted to him. An unconditional of the great German master ! *Lucien*

[andrewhaigh]

Pure GENIUS! All other performances of this work are now redundant. Where else can one find such musical imagination and technical mastery fused into one magical rendering. WOW!

[davidgolbert]

Just recently found this channel and I can only repeat what others have already said, it's a real joy to listen to and watch the performances....a group of musicians who obviously love what they do and love making music together; I look forward to each new performance.

[peterburandt]

And, once again, NCO's artistic reach extends way beyond perfection! Thank you!!🙂

[craigbritton]

I'm so glad I just found you. I love the very evident joy that the members of the ensemble have making music together. There is absolutely nothing like it. Bravo!

[ВячеславШеститко]

Блестящее исполнение! Мило и непосредственно!!!

[madraven]

We’ll, I guess I’m going to have to pay a visit to Norway.

[gemshornrick]

Truly a brilliant performance, the way this very Haydnesqe work ought to be played, and not as some stentorian thing by a full orchestra. I have to ask, though; what's with the weird mix of attire? Was there perhaps a memo that said "come as you are"? No objection of course, just an inquiring mind wants to know.

[johnpaterson]

Sounds like late Haydn (and why not? That is praise!)

[johnclarke]

So...what is the point of having the orchestra members standing???

[alamudesky]

How many are actually from Norway ? 1:02