Dip Your Ears, No. 33 (Creatures of Charles Mackerras')

L.v.Beethoven, Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, C.Mackerras / Scottish CO Hyperion/Helios

These critters have been around before, but it is most welcome they be back. The Creatures of Prometheus belong to the surprisingly large amount of music of Beethoven's with which we are not particularly familiar, if we know it at all. We may know the overtures of much of the incidental music, but usually not the rest. We should, though, because it's good, it's original, and it's Beethoven. The cello miniature in the Adagio, to pick just one random example, is a delight and Beethoven unlike anywhere else. The new price of the Helios incarnation of the older Hyperion disc is very convenient and leaves no excuse not to venture out to discover this gem. If you like that music, look out for the complete Music for the Consecration of the House (figure out which piano sonata was godfather to one of its movments), the Mass in C Minor, the complete Egmont music, and (for yet more Goethe/Beethoven) Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage.

Helios 55796