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Beethoven Symphonies - Page 4

post #46 of 944
2/5/05 at 12:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dshea_32665
Big surprise, I keep coming back to Szell as my man for Beethoven. I have listened to all the symphonies in the past month and think they are right on. In the 9th, the baritone soloist has a vibrato that sounds like a car starting up on a low battery, but other than that these performances are tight, tempi good, and all around great performances.

cheers,
dshea
I can really understand this. Szell made the Cleveland an orchestra of virtuosi working in perfect harmony, and his sensibility was extremely European in the warmth and "heroism" he imbued everything with. That made him so very perfect for Beethoven. I think that's why his concerto series with Fleischer stands up so beautifully over the years.
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post #47 of 944
2/6/05 at 10:48am
I have been on hold for awhile on the Beethoven front......but have large inventory to darw upon in reserve.

On Tyson's advice I have held off on new Rattle set, also don't care for Barenboim in general so that was never really an option.

I have ordered a 2CD set Monteux/LSO/London 2,4,5,7 and if I like will get the other 2CD set.

I have listened to samples of new Norrington/Hanssler set and can't believe how fast the tempo sounds, I like fleet tempos but I was shaking my head in disbelief at how fast some parts are taken.......not sure if I am buyer here.
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post #48 of 944
2/6/05 at 6:47pm
DA,
I haven't heard the Rattle set of Symphonies, only his accompaniment to Brendel in the PC's. Although after that badness I'm not sure I "want" to hear Rattle in the Sym's.

I did order the Harnancourt set based on the recs here, hopefully it's up there with my current faves (Szell, Gardiner, Karajan).

After listening to Barenboim some more, I've got to give it a thumbs down. Grandiose at best, soporific at worst.
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post #49 of 944
2/9/05 at 12:14am
Avoid the Rattle set, it is the oddest approach I have ever heard regarding the Beethoven symphonies. Of recent releases both the Barenboim & Harnoncourt sets are perferable.

My favorite sets remain Boehm & Mackerras, by quite a distance.

- augustwest
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post #50 of 944
2/11/05 at 5:45pm
I just added the Gardiner to my Beethoven, and after listening to the Pastoral, I must say that it is an excellent recording. Ofcourse, I have the complete Bilson-Gardiner Mozart piano concertos that many here do not care for, but that I adore.
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post #51 of 944
2/15/05 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunnyears
I just added the Gardiner to my Beethoven, and after listening to the Pastoral, I must say that it is an excellent recording. Ofcourse, I have the complete Bilson-Gardiner Mozart piano concertos that many here do not care for, but that I adore.
I have a couple of the Bilson Mozart concertos I keep for reference. They seem to work well in the early concertos, but as Mozart expanded his music palette concertos 19-27 almost always sound better with expanded tonal range and shadings of modern piano. Tyson is a fan of Bilson's Mozart as I recall.

I also have Tan/Norrington/Virgin Beethoven concerto set using forte piano, but never really listen much to it because like late Mozart concertos these also make use of the greater range of modern piano for me.

Monteux/London
First 2CD set of Beethoven symphonies passed with flying colors therefore ordered second 2CD set. Very good 1960's stereo sound, similar in style to Bohm/DG which is one of my favorite "classic" beethoven sets.




Norrington/Hanssler
Have 3 CDs from this new set in house, trying to get a grip on what we have here.
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post #52 of 944
2/15/05 at 1:20pm
What's everyones favourite beethoven symphony, regardless of recording?

I'm only familiar with the 3rd, 7th and 9th but the 9th is my favourite symphony of any composer. I'm looking to get a few more soon after I've bought my dt880, emu 1212m combo.
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post #53 of 944
2/15/05 at 11:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SunShip
What's everyones favourite beethoven symphony, regardless of recording?

I'm only familiar with the 3rd, 7th and 9th but the 9th is my favourite symphony of any composer. I'm looking to get a few more soon after I've bought my dt880, emu 1212m combo.
Treat yourself to a set of all 9 symphonies. These are all landmark pieces and all should be owned. When I start my students on their orchestral music education, I always start with the 9 Beethoven symphonies. You will thank me (us) as you become familiar with all nine. Enjoy the music!

dshea
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post #54 of 944
2/16/05 at 12:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SunShip
What's everyones favourite beethoven symphony, regardless of recording?
Depends on the day of the week, the hour, the minute and the second. Depending on how I feel, it could be any one of them, or two or three. They are all my good friends.
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post #55 of 944
2/16/05 at 6:18am
I shall be rummaging through my relatives CD collections, I'm sure I'll find a boxed beethoven symphonies set somewhere
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post #56 of 944
2/17/05 at 6:44am
I second this
"Karajan recorded the beethoven cycle 4 times, the early one from the 60's is the only one worth getting."

Also, I forget who did the cycle. But there is one with original instruments and it includes a reconstruction of Beethoven's 10th. Yes, not a typo - his 10th.

Will look into it.
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post #57 of 944
2/17/05 at 4:02pm
I believe the first cycle from HvK (1961-62) is only on the DG boxed set:
Beethoven: Symphonien

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post #58 of 944
2/17/05 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bunnyears
I believe the first cycle from HvK (1961-62) is only on the DG boxed set:
Beethoven: Symphonien
No, the one above is from the complete beethoven edition and I believe it is out of print. It is also highly collectible.

Howver, it is also available as a regular edition (the one above has digital bit map processing and it sounds a hell of a lot better).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...music&n=507846

The gold edition (same as the Complete Beethoven Edition but different box and less collectible and more readily available)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ce&s=classical

The SACD Version:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ce&s=classical

and the Import Version (collectible, and same as the Complete Beethoven Edition and Gold Edition):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ce&s=classical


Hope that helps.
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post #59 of 944
2/17/05 at 6:32pm
If anyone is interested, Amazon.com has the Zinman/Beethoven set for $5.96. New.

Link

BW
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post #60 of 944
2/17/05 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Ward
If anyone is interested, Amazon.com has the Zinman/Beethoven set for $5.96. New.

Link

BW
Wow, more than a few people have it for that price...for a set that's $27.99 new.....Odd.
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