[Baldr]

Unlike Furtwangler, who kept in his employ and defended Jewish musicians in Berlin, Herb was an enthusiastic member of the party. Stories also point to his tendency to be an imperious ass, unless you had the charms of Ann-Sophie Mutter.

 

[winders]

What is the best Beethoven cycle?

 

[KoshNaranek]

What is the best Beethoven cycle?

I am partial to Furtwangler. The recording quality is not the best but the pacing is more stately than more modern recordings. I find it to be more emotionally enganging.

I look forward to other thoughts

 

[Letmebefrank]

I'm partial to the first Beethoven. They lost focus on the story in Beethoven's 2nd and I think they might have used a different dog.

 

[Baldr]

What is the best Beethoven cycle?

Overall, I like Bruno Walter CBS cycle, and Reiner's CSO cycle. The old Jochum cycle on EMI in the box I discuss above is a great deal, as you get Brahms and Bruckner cycles as well. IMO there are good later recordings that many others will like as well.

 

[478773]

I've just got his 1963 Berliner Philharmoniker 9 symphonies on Blu-ray, but haven't had a chance to listen yet, hoping for a good result.

That's the one I am talking about - that is the latest 96/24 remaster - again, placing it in terms of "when" - there was a mid 90s one which has been years since I listened to it. There is also the SACD from the mid noughties - which I don't have. In fact until the bluyray ( that is where I got mine, extracted from it - assume the downloadable version is the same) I hadn't really gone back to it - kind of distracted by the myriad of new approaches - from the HIP influenced of the new recordings of Chailly and Haitink, to the Furtwangler-isms of both Barenboim and Thielemann to the hardcore HIP of Harnoncourt... Not until I found the bluray on pretty cheap ($8 at amoeba!) revisited karajan after some good 6-8 years!

v

 

[leafy7382]

Particular for symphony 7, one must not forget the version from Carlos Kleiber.

 

[478773]

Unlike Furtwangler, who kept in his employ and defended Jewish musicians in Berlin, Herb was an enthusiastic member of the party. Stories also point to his tendency to be an imperious ass, unless you had the charms of Ann-Sophie Mutter.

Freaking Herbie actually joined twice! Indeed, as usual there are gradations and contradictions - In fact none other than Yehudi Menuhin defended and supported Furtwangler's appointment to Chicago - which almost happened, until derailed by opposition due to his wartime activities - One of music history greatest "what ifs?" - Imagine, instead of having those wonderful Chicago Living Stereos with Fritz Reiner, we could have had them with Furts!

v

 

[478773]

Particular for symphony 7, one must not forget the version from Carlos Kleiber.

Wholeheartedly agree - the CD with Carlors' 5th and 7th is one for the ages...

v

 

[478773]

I'm partial to the first Beethoven. They lost focus on the story in Beethoven's 2nd and I think they might have used a different dog.

Had to read it twice... and more... then finally got it! talking about the movie with the St Bernard!

might have heard the joke before, though...

v

 

[FLTWS]

I'm partial to the first Beethoven. They lost focus on the story in Beethoven's 2nd and I think they might have used a different dog.

LOL!

 

[Baldr]

Celibidache's 6th and Skroweczewski's (seriously - and arguably the best Bruckner cycle EVER).

 

[478773]

What is the best Beethoven cycle?

As usual, 3 recommendations:


1) Historical - Furtwangler on EMI or Weingartner on Naxos ( and other labels)
2) Stereo Era - Bruno Walter on CBS, Karajan 63 on DG, Jochum on Phillips
3) Digital Era - Thielemann on Sony, Barenboim on Teldec, Chailly on Decca

Thnx!

v

 

[FLTWS]

Wholeheartedly agree - the CD with Carlors' 5th and 7th is one for the ages...

v

I agree.

 

[leeperry]

any chance we could ever get an audio demo of the gadget please?