Artur Schnabel’s dictum that great music is always greater than it can ever be performed is never more apposite than with Beethoven, the ultimate restless ... yet caring for the long lyrical line – ...

Abbado has been in semi-permanent revolt against the Italian school of Beethoven interpretation. In these vibrant Rome performances he achieves an intensity of effect his hero Furtwängler just might ...

Symphony number one in C major was his first ... especially on weaker beats. Beethoven’s famous Symphony No. 5 is a good example of how Beethoven’s symphonic style develops.