Friday, June 03, 2005

Take note(s)

NOTE CHANGE: Beginning next Monday, [ed--first performance broadcast Monday, downloads begin to be available Tuesday] the BBC will be offering all 9 of Beethoven's symphonies for download...

Info at the site:

Download all nine of Beethoven's symphonies here the day after they are broadcast. All the symphonies are performed by BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda.

Symphonies 1 & 3 will be broadcast on Monday 6th June, and available to download from Tuesday 7th June to Monday 13th June.
Symphonies 2, 4 & 5 will be broadcast on Tuesday 7th June, and available to download from Wednesday 8th June to Tuesday 14th June.
Symphony 6 will be broadcast on Monday 27th June, and available to download from Tuesday 28th June to Monday 4th July.
Symphony 7 will be broadcast on Tuesday 28th June, and available to download from Wednesday 29th June to Tuesday 5th July.
Symphony 8 will be broadcast on Wednesday 29th June, and available to download from Thursday 30th June to Wednesday 6th July.
Symphony 9 will be broadcast on Thursday 30th June, and available to download from Friday 1st July to Thursday 7th July


Always a good idea to hear other interpretations of these works. I have my favs, but I can be surprised by a fresh performance, just like anyone else.

The BBC is still stuck in the 20th Century and requires Real Player for (a rather limited) live listening, rather than adopting a better, more cross-platform streaming solution, so downloading the mp3s after they are made available may be the best option for you. OTOH, here's a Real Player alternative that works. Transparent and (completely unlike Real Player) non-intrusive, non-invasive, Real Alternative is a decent software solution to Real Player's stinkiness.