[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

 
You do realize that Glass Harmonica music was supposed to drive people mad back in the day.

I understand it to some extent (I imagine that in some case , it could get on your nerve) , but the cd I've recommended , I've listened it many time, without problems. Unless I'm already mad.

 

[Hutnicks]

Quote:

I understand it to some extent (I imagine that in some case , it could get on your nerve) , but the cd I've recommended , I've listened it many time, without problems. Unless I'm already mad.

I'll have to give that a listen. I find glass harmonica difficult listening for the most part.
 
On a related note Kuniko Plays Reich is an absolutely mesmerizing disk and brilliantly produced.

 

[DiePewPew]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDvkyGBBn2E 

 

[Arcamera]

Anyone have a recommendation for an excellent complete Beethoven symphonies on CD? Anyone here who knows numerous versions have a favourite? I'll probably own multiple versions eventually. I've only ever owned a Naxos/Lydian version with Richard Edlinger and the Zagreb Philharmonic. I like it, but want to experience different interpretations. I'm thinking about picking up the Blomsted/Dresden version (recorded 1975-1980), because the price is right. Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Hutnicks]

Quote:

Anyone have a recommendation for an excellent complete Beethoven symphonies on CD? Anyone here who knows numerous versions have a favourite? I'll probably own multiple versions eventually. I've only ever owned a Naxos/Lydian version with Richard Edlinger and the Zagreb Philharmonic. I like it, but want to experience different interpretations. I'm thinking about picking up the Blomsted/Dresden version (recorded 1975-1980), because the price is right. Thanks for any thoughts.

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-9-Symphonies-Karajan-Janowitz/dp/B000056OBA
 
Three is also apparently a hybrid disk version.

 

[extrabigmehdi]

Quote:

Anyone have a recommendation for an excellent complete Beethoven symphonies on CD?

I  like the cycle done by Paavo Järvi, because of the very clean sound. It seems they are only available as separate cd,
but they are all highly rated at classicstoday.com:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-13798/?search=1
I'd suggest you listen to one and see if it's worth to get the others.

 

[bigshot]

There are a million Beethoven symphony cycles, but my favorites are Kletzki / Czech Philharmonic and Bohm / Vienna Philharmonic. The Kletzki has a lot of energy and the Bohm has Viennese beauty. Two different approaches. Both orchestras are superb.

I have the Blomstedt / Dresden and 60s Karajan cycles too and they are both very good. I would recommend them.

 

[calaf]

Quote:

Anyone have a recommendation for an excellent complete Beethoven symphonies on CD? Anyone here who knows numerous versions have a favourite? I'll probably own multiple versions eventually. I've only ever owned a Naxos/Lydian version with Richard Edlinger and the Zagreb Philharmonic. I like it, but want to experience different interpretations. I'm thinking about picking up the Blomsted/Dresden version (recorded 1975-1980), because the price is right. Thanks for any thoughts.

 
we should really try to use the search function before posting: the first thread that pops up for "Beethoven Symphonies" is this
http://www.head-fi.org/t/77383/beethoven-symphonies
In there you will find 10 years (well maybe six or seven since the thread died off after 63 pages...) of collective wisdom and entertaining back-and-forth among some really competent head-fiers. If you have a specific question after scanning through the thread, I would post it there: it will elicit more attention and will be more useful to others in the future.

 

[Arcamera]

Thanks for you thoughts everyone.

 

[GungaDin]

Quote:

There are a million Beethoven symphony cycles, but my favorites are Kletzki / Czech Philharmonic and Bohm / Vienna Philharmonic.

 
I just picked up the Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic box set on vinyl for $9.99 at my local used record shop. 8 clean, immaculate, perfectly flat Deutsche Grammophon records in paper/plastic sleeves. Very few pops or clicks. Sweet! My best deal on anything in months. Sounds wonderful.
 
I'd forgotten about the impressive look and feel of DG records. I used to buy them as a kid and the packaging, booklets, liner notes, paper/plastic sleeves, and the high quality pressings and their attendant sound just seemed like the pinnacle of quality, intelligent civilization.

 

[Omphalopsychite]

Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique with Robin Ticciati conducting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra is really nice performance and the 24/96 sound is exceptional.  I had never heard of Ticciati and had doubts about the fit of the piece for chamber orchestra but found it really enjoyable.
 

 

[bigshot]

They'll be doing Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung with string quartets next! Or perhaps Mahler's Symmphony of a Thousand with a trio!

 

[Omphalopsychite]

Quote:

They'll be doing Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung with string quartets next! Or perhaps Mahler's Symmphony of a Thousand with a trio!

 
The first 3 movements are lightly orchestrated and I don't think suffers at all from the relatively small orchestra.  In the last two there may not be the bombastic sound of a full modern orchestra but there's a clarity that I find very enjoyable.

 

[Omphalopsychite]

Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde

The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Otto Klemperer with Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich
 
This recording receives high praise from reviewers, some calling it one of the greatest Mahler recordings ever.  Although recorded in the 60's, this EMI 24/96 2011 remastering sounds exceptional.  Musically and sonically a real treat.  I also have the Haitink/Baker/King version which is also an outstanding performance, unfortunately the sound just isn't comparable to the EMI remaster.
 
 

 

 

[Timodeus]

Anyone have a recommendation for an excellent complete Beethoven symphonies on CD? Anyone here who knows numerous versions have a favourite? I'll probably own multiple versions eventually. I've only ever owned a Naxos/Lydian version with Richard Edlinger and the Zagreb Philharmonic. I like it, but want to experience different interpretations. I'm thinking about picking up the Blomsted/Dresden version (recorded 1975-1980), because the price is right. Thanks for any thoughts.

Leibowitz by Cheski