Beethoven symphonies
Wed, Mar 31 2010, 6:27PM
Anyone heard the new(ish) set by the Minnesota SO?
Thu, Apr 1 2010, 2:18AM
#2
RE: Beethoven symphonies
I was an early fan, starting with the 4/5th, and have them all.
First rate performances, though quite middle of the road (in the best sense). No Gardiner like race to the finish efforts here. Just extremely faithful, solid (in a good way) performances that are recorded brilliantly, as is the BIS standard.
They are all enormously pleasing. I'm would not say that any is my first choice (maybe 2), but they all let me hear all of the music that Beethoven wrote.
Thu, Apr 1 2010, 9:31AM
#3
RE: Beethoven symphonies
I haven't heard the Minnesota recordings, but I am eagerly awaiting my Haitink/LSO Live set to arive anyday now - as if I actually NEED another Beethoven symphony set!
Incidentally my 'fav' 7th is Solti and the Chicago SO (or at least it was the last time I listened - my 'favs' tend to fluctuate.
Thu, Apr 1 2010, 9:31AM
#4
RE: Beethoven symphonies RE: Beethoven symphonies
I haven't heard the Minnesota recordings, but I am eagerly awaiting my Haitink/LSO Live set to arive anyday now - as if I actually NEED another Beethoven symphony set!
Incidentally my 'fav' 7th is Solti and the Chicago SO (or at least it was the last time I listened - my 'favs' tend to fluctuate.
Thu, Apr 1 2010, 9:36AM
#5
RE: Beethoven symphonies
Thank you! Very, very, helpful. I am 77 so my father's Beethoven is now mine!
Thu, Apr 1 2010, 5:24PM
#6
RE: Beethoven symphonies
T-16, my father's Beethoven was the Toscanini/NBC Symphony Orchestra collection from RCA. And yes I remember watching broadcasts featuring the maestro conducting from Carnegie Hall or Studio 8-H on our first television set. Best, Hal.
Thu, Apr 1 2010, 10:24PM
#7
RE: Beethoven symphonies
Tigers16,
I collected the Vanska set as it was issued and think it to be a very fine set of performances. I then collected the Paavo Jarvi set and was blown away by the sheer quality of the playing and, on balance, I prefer Jarvi. Having said that, the one which works least well for me is the 9th which I always want to hear with larger forces.
You would not be disappointed with either set.
Islay
Fri, Apr 2 2010, 6:14PM
#8
RE: Beethoven symphonies
Islay, spot on review of the Jarvi Beethoven. My only reservation for this cycle is ..... (surprise surprise,) the smaller forces presentation of the Ninth Symphony but high marks for the performance and recorded sound. Best, Hal.
Sun, Apr 4 2010, 7:21PM
#9
RE: Beethoven symphonies
Vanska LvB didn't work for me. I guess my favorite recordings are too imprinted on my brain.
Sat, Apr 10 2010, 6:34AM
#10
RE: Beethoven symphonies
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If the goal is to get a good cycle of Beethoven's symphonies, this recording is not the way to go. I own the Vänskä/MO recording, but a few of the symphonies fall short of impressing me. The Seventh is perhaps the best, but the Eroica, 4th, 5th, 6th, and Choral symphonies are sub-par when compared to other recordings. The Choral is especially inadequate; Furtwängler's live recordings from either 1942 or 1951 are the way to go, but Bruno Walter also has a splendid recording as well (with significantly better sound quality).
Sat, Apr 10 2010, 6:36AM
#11
RE: Beethoven symphonies
As a cycle, Walter's and Barenboim's are excellent, but you can never go wrong with one of Karajan's cycles (save for the Pastoral, which he never mastered).
Sun, Apr 11 2010, 8:52AM
#12
RE: Beethoven symphonies
Have to agree - Karajan all the way! This may be because these were the versions that I was raised on when I first got into music, but no one else quite hits the mark for me. As for the Pastoral, just substitute Bohm with the VPO (although I'm still rather fond of Karajan's last bash at it).
Sun, Apr 11 2010, 4:32PM
#13
RE: Beethoven symphonies
One of the best conductors today,Riccardo Muti made a great cycle with the Philadelphia Orchestra on EMI.It sells very cheap on Amazon or MDT.
I would also be interested in hearing another of our best conductors right now namely Sir Colin Davis and his cycle with the Staatskapelle Dresden.
Tue, Apr 13 2010, 12:44AM
#14
RE: Beethoven symphonies
I've been listening the new 9ths by Vanska and Jarvi-- both are stellar, especially Jarvi's.
Baritone Matthias Goerne also brings something very new to Jarvi's-- a much more intimate sound than on any other 9th.
Tue, Apr 13 2010, 4:51AM
#15
RE: Beethoven symphonies
I would have to say that the best recording of the Ninth is Wilhelm Furtwängler's recording in 1942 with the BPO, or his 1951 recording with the Bayreuther--both of which are significantly better than Karajan's. Moreover, Vänskä's Ninth is simply third-rate.
If you have a Karajan or Vänskä cycle, I would highly recommend comparing Furtwängler's interpretation of the Ninth to these. Also, like Böhm, Szell has a very impressive Pastoral with the Cleveland Orchestra--another good substitute (Karajan's and Vänskä's interpretations of this symphony are much too brisk).
T-16, excellent in my opinion. Maestro Vanska has the measure of this music especially with the lessor played Beethoven Symphonies 1,2, 4 and 8 and the Minnesota sound from BIS is first class. For something a bit different, (smaller scale forces playing livelier tempos,) you might enjoy auditioning Paavo Jarvi and the Kammerphilharmonie, Bremen Beethoven Symphonic cycle from RCA/Sony. Perhaps not your father's Beethoven but, (IMO,) very exciting, well played and recorded performances. Best, Hal.