Here is the most rustic sounding Pastorale that I have ever heard. This original early 50's record features the glorious Central European sounds of the Czech Philharmonic (in its postwar magnificence) under its longtime principal or resident conductor Karel Sejna.
Karel Sejna is a name that is all but unknown in the United States and vaguely remembered in Western Europe duein part from tours during the 1950's. He is one of those musicians that devoted his art and life to his land of birth and fortunately, a recorded legacy preserves a highly individual and gifted talent. No doubt that Sejna understood the sounds and temperament of his Czech colleagues, able to coax out of them timbres and phrasing that add a delightful freshness to old warhorses. Case in point is his terrific Mahler 4th available on the European Archive and this Beethoven Pastorale.
Notwithstanding some technical issues with the recording and pressing (the opening note in movement 1 is clipped, something that the Gramophone reviewer in 1960 complained about), Sejna treats us to an intimate, village setting for his Pastorale which combines lyricism with a raw and rustic peasant quality. This approach is so refreshing because countless recordings add a sheen and gloss over the "little people" aspects of this groundbreaking (I think so) music. The Pastorale is a celebration of the country, the hardworking people of the land and the imperfections and mysteries of life. Sejna gets it down to the "T." His Mahler 4th has a very similiar approach and it is a marvelous achievement.
Enjoy a Pastorale whose likes is probably not to be heard again.
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