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Beethoven Symphonies - Page 25

post #361 of 944
7/11/05 at 11:04am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Sarvis
Hmmm - Must look into the Vanska. Are they 2-channel or MC?
The answer to that is, yes.

http://sa-cd.net/showtitle/2746

Has both stereo and multi-channel layers.
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post #362 of 944
7/11/05 at 11:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scottder
The answer to that is, yes.

http://sa-cd.net/showtitle/2746

Has both stereo and multi-channel layers.
Thanks. So far it's just the 4 and 5, right?
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post #363 of 944
7/11/05 at 12:33pm
Doc,

Just the B4 and B5 have been released. I don't know when others are coming out.

Btw, Phillips has just reissued George Szell's B5 paired with award winning Sibelius Sym. 2 with the Concertgebouw Orch. remastered in 96Hz 24bit super digital transfer. It's only 2 channels, but the sound is so outstanding and the performances are as usual purely beautiful. This B5 compares very well to the mighty Kleiber! and the Sibelius is ofcourse, a jewel. Did Szell ever record something that was not of top quality? This is a must-have recording for both Beethoven and Sibelius lovers.

I got the cd from yourmusic, so it's priced for the budget.
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post #364 of 944
7/11/05 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunnyears

Btw, Phillips has just reissued George Szell's B5 paired with award winning Sibelius Sym. 2 with the Concertgebouw Orch. remastered in 96Hz 24bit super digital transfer. It's only 2 channels, but the sound is so outstanding and the performances are as usual purely beautiful. This B5 compares very well to the mighty Kleiber! and the Sibelius is ofcourse, a jewel. Did Szell ever record something that was not of top quality?
He never made any records that weren't exactly how he wanted them. There are a couple, though, that I don't like because of what he wanted. My main one is Schubert's Great C major, which he recorded 2 or 3 times. As well done as it is, the problem is that I think he makes it sound more like Beethoven than Schubert. But I like his Beethoven (for big band old-style, that is). His "Eroica" especially. One of his absolute greatest recordings was of Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. Unearthly blend of sound to get that watery sensation.
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post #365 of 944
7/11/05 at 2:42pm
ooh, that Mendelssohn sounds tasty! Now, how will I keep one-click-itis from affecting the index finger of the right hand....

With 3 extant recordings/editions, by any chance is it the SACD enhanced recording that you are recommending? I can't tell if it's a hybrid, but I truly hope so. that way I have something to put on the ipod.
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post #366 of 944
7/11/05 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunnyears
Doc,

Just the B4 and B5 have been released. I don't know when others are coming out.

Btw, Phillips has just reissued George Szell's B5 paired with award winning Sibelius Sym. 2 with the Concertgebouw Orch. remastered in 96Hz 24bit super digital transfer. It's only 2 channels, but the sound is so outstanding and the performances are as usual purely beautiful. This B5 compares very well to the mighty Kleiber! and the Sibelius is ofcourse, a jewel. Did Szell ever record something that was not of top quality? This is a must-have recording for both Beethoven and Sibelius lovers.

I got the cd from yourmusic, so it's priced for the budget.
I seem to remember a long time ago in this thread, someone found the complete Szell set in a much cheaper than the "original jackets" ripoff, which leaves me "Szell-shocked". Anyone remember where they saw it for sale?
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post #367 of 944
7/11/05 at 3:00pm
If you want the Szell/cleveland orchestra set, then as far I know the best place to find it is on Amazon used. It's available as a set for about $70 at Amazon, though almost all of it is also available on separate recordings. Maybe just the B7 might be a problem. Also the original jackets is actually on the list at yourmusic for 59.90, which is less than at amazon or tower but still very pricy. It does include Mozart's Jupiter symphony, overtures, the creatures of Prometheus, and other selections etc. and is a 10 cd set, which does take the sting away (slightly).
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post #368 of 944
7/11/05 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunnyears
Originally, they had the complete cycle available at a reasonable price. When they decided to put out the original jackets collection, they withdrew the cycle from the market. Now, they have re-issued it and it is available at Towerrecords .
Found it. This is what I was talking about. Just ordered it!
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post #369 of 944
7/11/05 at 3:38pm
Doc,

when I searched at tower, it didn't come up a minute ago! Okay, I see, it's special order. I had tried to get it and I waited about 2 months and then they sent me an email saying it was unavailable. Hopefully you will have better luck than me, but that set is basically out of print. If they can find a copy somewhere you'll get it.
Quote:
Special Order:

Items marked "Special Order" will be placed on backorder for delivery as soon as they become available. Through our network of suppliers we should obtain a Special Order within 30 days.

If we are unable to fill your request within 30 days, we will cancel the order and notify you via email.
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post #370 of 944
7/11/05 at 3:44pm
Good luck. While my current idee fixe is Gardiner's HIP cycle, I think that one is hard pressed to beat a good, big band performance of Beethoven.
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post #371 of 944
7/11/05 at 4:21pm
Someone in this thread listened to the Beethoven Experience of BBC Radio?.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/beethoven/downloads.shtml
and
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=122852

I listened until the fourth and find them very romantic and good performances. The sound it's not very good (MP3 128kbps) but it's not metallic just without the real dynamics.
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post #372 of 944
7/11/05 at 5:31pm
Thread Starter 
I have all 9, but haven't had a chance to listen yet. I figured for free, it was worth a try.

Scott
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post #373 of 944
7/11/05 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunnyears
ooh, that Mendelssohn sounds tasty! Now, how will I keep one-click-itis from affecting the index finger of the right hand....

With 3 extant recordings/editions, by any chance is it the SACD enhanced recording that you are recommending? I can't tell if it's a hybrid, but I truly hope so. that way I have something to put on the ipod.
Unfortunately, the SACD version is not hybrid, but wow is it incredible. It makes the regular CD version sound flat and dull. Of course, Szell's on the regular CD makes others seem flat and dull, so there you go. I should point out that it is a slower than normal reading of the Mendelssohn. Some may dislike it because of that, but I find it absolutely spellbinding.

But, getting back to topic, I just listened to Zinman's Eroica and I was thrilled with it. His handling of accents and phrasing is masterful-- I've never heard anyone else make such fast tempos sound so natural, never hectic or rushed, with plenty of power and expression. I was a little surprised to hear the first variation in the finale assigned to solo strings, but it was a charming effect. And the use of ornamentation, appogiatura, and the handling of trills was glorious throughout. Zinman and the Tonhalle have proven (as need to be done every so often) that a modern symphony orchestra can play with as much fire in the belly as any ensemble. A lot of other orchestras and conductors should listen to this and learn a thing or three!
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post #374 of 944
7/11/05 at 6:48pm
Mark,

The Pastoral was the first one that l listened to from the set. After that, I put on the Eroica. what a jewel! that's when I knew that I absolutely loved everything about the set. I couldn't believe how lively and new it all sounded. I'm so glad that you are enjoying it too.
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post #375 of 944
7/11/05 at 6:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark from HFR
Unfortunately, the SACD version is not hybrid, but wow is it incredible. It makes the regular CD version sound flat and dull.
One-click disease strikes again.
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