Album

Beethoven: The Birth of a Master, a 2011 Ambroisie album, takes a closer look at a period of Beethoven's music that perhaps goes underplayed. At the turn of the 19th century, Beethoven was just getting established in his new home of Vienna. His music at the time was clearly informed by and beholden to the classical traditions established by Mozart and Haydn. Yet even these early works show glimmers of the innovation and modernization that Beethoven was to bring to virtually every genre he touched. Armed with a thorough and well-written set of liner notes, listeners are guided through the Creatures of Prometheus Overture, the F major Violin Romance, and three early arias before finally arriving at the First Symphony. Orchestra Le Cercle de l'Harmonie is led by Jérémie Rhorer. Specialists in late-18th century music, this group delivers performances that are informed by historical study but are far from academic in nature. A powerful, clean, rich sound characterizes its playing throughout this disc. Rhorer allows for the punchy brass and timpani that would have been familiar to Beethoven while still maintaining a pleasing balance between each section of the orchestra. Soprano Alexandra Coku's voice is equally enveloping and warm. The only performance that seems out of place on this otherwise enjoyable album is the Violin Romance, performed by Julien Chauvin. His sound is rather thin and lacking in the same robustness and colorful vibrato as the orchestra, making for a somewhat unappealing contrast.

© Mike D. Brownell, Rovi

CD 1
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer The Creatures of Prometheus, Op.43 (ballet) Work Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Ensemble, Jérémie Rhorer Conductor
1	The Creatures of Prometheus, Op.43 (ballet; excerpt)	5:10			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Leonore, (opera, early version of Fidelio), Hess109 Work Alexandra Coku Soprano, Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Ensemble, Jérémie Rhorer Conductor
2	O wär' ich schon mit dir vereint, aria	4:16			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer No, non turbarti, for soprano solo, WoO92a Work Alexandra Coku Soprano, Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Ensemble, Jérémie Rhorer Conductor
3	No, non turbarti, for soprano solo, WoO92a	5:32			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Romance for Violin and Orchestra No.2 in F, Op.50 Work Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Ensemble, Julien Chauvin Violin, Jérémie Rhorer Conductor
4	Romance for Violin and Orchestra No.2 in F, Op.50	9:16			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Ah! perfido! Per pieta, non dirmi addio, for soprano and orchestra (aria), Op.65 Work Alexandra Coku Soprano, Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Ensemble, Jérémie Rhorer Conductor
5	Ah! perfido! Per pieta, non dirmi addio, for soprano and orchestra (aria), Op.65	12:26			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Symphony No.1 in C, Op.21 Work 26:26 Le Cercle de l'Harmonie Ensemble, Jérémie Rhorer Conductor
6	1.Adagio molto. Allegro con brio	8:58			$1.49
7	2.Andante cantabile con moto	8:18			$1.49
8	3.Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace	3:14			$0.99
9	4.Finale: Adagio. Allegro molto e vivace	5:56			$0.99