Beethoven - Symphonies Nos 5 & 7

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Carlos Kleiber

DG 447 400-2GOR Buy now

(72' · ADD)

Recorded 1974.

The recording of the Fifth, always very fine, comes up superbly in this transfer. What, though, of the Seventh, an equally distinguished performance though always perceptibly greyer-sounding on LP, and on CD? The result is a performance of genius that now speaks to us freely and openly for the first time. In some ways this is a more important document than the famous Fifth.

Great recordings of the Seventh, greatly played and conducted, but with first and second violins divided left and right, are as rare as gold dust. Freshly refurbished, this Kleiber Seventh would go right to the top of any short list of recommendable Sevenths. It’s wonderful to have these two legendary performances so expertly restored.