Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Karl Böhm's Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven cycle is Deutsche Grammophon's best kept secret. Not only is it the finest complete set of Beethoven symphonies in their catalog, it's also far and away the best recorded, and to make matters even more irresistible, it's also the least expensive (it's available on three "twofer" sets). These performances are typical: weighty, intense, powerful, and magnificently played. Listen especially to the (comparatively) neglected Fourth Symphony: if Böhm doesn't convince you that this is major Beethoven, then no one can. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Andante con motto
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Scherzo - Allegro
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Finale - Allegro
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Menuetto, Allegro vivace Trio: un poco meno allegro
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Marcia funebre. Adagio assai
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Scherzo-Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Finale-Allegro molto
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace e con brio
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegretto scherzando
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Tempo di menuetto
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Andante molto mosso
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegretto
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Larghetto
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Scherzo Allegro
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Poco sostenuto - vivace
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Presto - Assai meno presto
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Andante cantabile con moto
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Finale Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Molto vivace - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Adagio molto e cantabile - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Presto - Allegro assai - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven Collection.......2007-05-14

I just got this for my brother-in-law as a gift and he loves it!

Amazing!.......2007-01-24

Having Beethoven's Symphonies in one, very affordable, set is heaven! The recordings are clear and crisp. Each symphony is truly a masterpiece from the very soft tones of the woodwinds to the thundering sounds of horns. It is amazing to listen to certain passages of Beethoven and realize the genius and otherworldliness of his talent.

An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies........2007-01-11

The sound is excellent, and the musicianship and conducting is excellent.

Beethoven Collection.......2006-07-23

Beethoven is my favorite composer. No matter how upset or tired I am, his music calms me down, just like a big, gentle hug.
But the cheap CDs have poor quality. And the good ones are too expensive for me. When I found this collection, with such a good price on Amazon.com, I couldn't believe it. Shortly after I purchased it, I received it. The quality is great. I am enjoying it. Thank you

Hoda

Top music!.......2006-07-19

Everything else you can get over, but classical music like Beethoven is stuff you just can't get sick of. A whole collection of Beethoven's Symphonies for such a small price, Wow!. Classical music is so relaxing and peaceful that you can't go wrong with spending time chillin out to this pure classic. The symphonies are great but after this you've got to go get the sonata's etc and I guarantee you won't be dissapointed!

Think about it, they don't call it classical for nothing.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Average customer rating:

CD set is misnamed
Do not Buy
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
Seek better versions
It Is What It Is

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
25 Classical Favorites
25 Romantic Classics
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe

ASIN: B000003QWH
Release Date: 1994-06-09

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Average customer rating:

I can name that tune in three notes
A Fabulous CD
Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!
Fun Sampler
Useful.

Idiot's Guide to Classical Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Scott Joplin: Greatest Hits
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Music
Classical Guitar, Vol. 2
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music
Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

ASIN: B000003FPT
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

Adagio
Air on the G String: Air on the G String, Excerpt
Brandenburg Concerto: Third Movement, Excerpt
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Excerpt
Tocatta & Fugue: Excerpt
Adagio for Strings: Excerpt
Synphony No. 5: First Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9: Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Fse: Excerpt
Turkish March: Turkish March, Excerpt
Moonlight Sonata: Excerpt
Symphonie Fantastique: March Ot the Scaffold, Excerpt
Damnation of Faust: Excerpt
Carmen - Habanera: Habanera, Excerpt
Toreador Song [From Carmen]
Minuet: Minuet, Excerpt
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dance No 17, Excerpt
Hungarian Dance No. 5: No 5, Excerpt
Lullaby: No 4, Lullaby, Excerpt
"Minute" Waltz: Excerpt
Grande Valse Brillante: Excerpt
Marche Fune: Marche Fune
Appalachian Spring: Excerpt
Fanfare for the Common Man: Excerpt
Clair de Lune: Excerpt
Prelude to the Afternoon: Excerpt
Lakm Flower Duet: Flower Duet, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9 "New World": Second Movement, "Going Home" Theme, ...
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Excerpt
Pomp & Circumstance: Excerpt
El Amor Brujo
Pavane: Excerpt
Rhapsody in Blue: Excerpt
American in Paris: Excerpt
Funeral March of Marionette: Excerpt
Piano Concerto in a Minor: Excerpt
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Morning: Morning, Excerpt
Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus: Hallelujah Chorus, Excerpt
Water Music - Hornpipe: Hornpipe, Excerpt
Symphony No. 94 "Surprise": Second Movement, Excerpt
The Planets - Mars: Mars, Excerpt
Sabre Dance: Sabre Dance, Excerpt
Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba, Excerpt
Hungarian Rhapsody
Liebestraum No. 3: No 3, Excerpt
Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo: Intermezzo, Excerpt
Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March: Wedding March, Excerpt
Symphony No. 4 "Italian": Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Rondeau: No 1, Rondeau
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, Excerpt
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement, Excerpt
The Marriage of Figaro - Overture: Overture, Excerpt
Sonata in A - Rondo Alla Turca: Rondo Alla Turca, Excerpt
Symphony No. 40: First Movement, Excerpt
Night on Bald Mountain: Excerpt
Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Cave of Kiev: Great Gate of ...
Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Excerpt
Orpheus in Hades - Theme II: Excerpt (Theme)
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna: O Fortuna, Excerpt
Canon: Canon, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Montagues & Capulets: Montagues & Capulets, Excerpt
Lt. Kije's Wedding: Lt. Kije's Wedding, Excerpt
Turandot - Nessun Dorma: Nessun Dorma, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 2: Second Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 2: Third Movement, Opening, Excerpt
Rhapsody on a Theme: Variation 18, Excerpt
Bolero
Flight of the Bumblebee
Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio: Adagio, Excerpt
The Barber of Seville - Overture: Excerpt
The Barber of Sville - Largo Al Factotum: Largo Al Factotum, Excerpt
William Tell Overture - Theme II: Excerpt
Danse Macabre: Excerpt
Gymnope No. 1
Symphony N0. 8 "Unfinished": Excerpt
Ave Maria: Excerpt
Finlandia [Finale: Finale, Excerpt]
Valse Triste: No 1, Valse Triste, Excerpt
Stars & Stripes Forever: Excerpt
Semper Fidelis: Excerpt
Blue Danube Waltz: Excerpt
Tales from the Vienna Woods: Excerpt
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare, Excerpt
Firebird - Infernal Dance & Main Theme: Infernal Dance & Main ...
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers: Waltz of the Flowers, Excerpt
Swan Lake - Waltz: Waltz, Excerpt
Sleeping Beauty -: Waltz, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Theme II: Theme LL, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 1 - Opening: Opening, Excerpt
1812 Overture - Finale: Finale, Excerpt
Fantasia on "Greensleeves": Excerpt
Alda - Grand March: Grand March, Excerpt
Il Trovatore - Anvil Chorus: Anvil Chorus, Excerpt
Requiem - Dies Irae: Dies Irae, Excerpt
Rigoletto - La Donna Mobile: La Donna Mobile, Excerpt
The Four Seasons "Spring" - Allegro: Allegro, Excerpt
The Four Season "Winter" - Largo: Largo, Excerpt
Lohengrin - Bridal Chorus: Bridal Chorus, Excerpt
Die WalkRide of the Valkyries: Ride of the Valkyries, Excerpt

Customer Reviews:

I can name that tune in three notes.......2005-02-19

My family likes to put this disc in on shuffle and play name that tune. I wish they made more discs like this, only with more obscure works.

A Fabulous CD.......2004-10-14

The Idiot's Guide to Calssical Music is an awesome Cd for those people who want to have a tiny sample of all the great classical compositions. Track 61 and 63 are my favorite.

Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!.......2002-03-20

Yes, this CD really does have 99 tracks. How do they do it? Each is about a minuet long. Some are longer, some are shorter, but you get the micro-essential moments of the music.

If you like burning your own CDs, then this is a great source for intra-track fillers, along the lines of They Might Be Giants' "Apollo 18" album, which has all of those short tracks on the end. The idea is to put your CD player on shuffle, so the short tracks get mixed in with the bona fide songs. The result being a very unusual album.

The booklet gives an explanation of the track, where you heard it (i.e. the Warner Brother's Cartoons, or on famous films), and where you can get the full piece of music. So it's a mega sampler CD.

I can honestly say that this CD is a great gift for the friend who has everything.

Fun Sampler.......2001-11-09

For the beginner. You will be surprised at how many of the 99 themes you recognize here. It is an easy introduction to classical music. Nice booklet too.

Useful........1999-03-22

Take it for what it is, a clever and useful GUIDE to classical music. No, it is NOT an uncut rendition of Beethoven's 9th symphony. It IS a cd that will jog your memory. You have heard many of the tunes presented here, but not always knowing what the work was. This is your chance to catch up with all the great classical music you have been exposed to. Cheap too.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Great Beethoven Cycle
a fine combination of quality and value
THIS SET IS AN ABSOLUTE STEAL
Excellent
Pleasing overall...

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos; Choral Fantasy
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies
Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos

ASIN: B000001VWY
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Marcia Funebre (Adagio Assail)
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Scherzo (Allegro Vivace)
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Finale (Allegro Molto)
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Adagio Molto. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Andante cantabile con moto
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Finale (Adagio, Allegro molto e vivace)

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Pocco sostenuto-vivace
Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Presto-Assai meno presto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Adagio molto-Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Larghetto
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Scherzo (Allergro)
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Andante con moto
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Adagio, Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': Awakening Of Happy Feelings On Arriving In The Country - Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': By The Brook - Andante molto mosso
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': Peasant's Merrymaking - Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': The Storm - Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': Shephard's Song. Happy And Thankful Feelings After The Storm - Allegretto
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Allegro vivace e con brio
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Allegretto scherzando
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Tempo di menuetto
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Allegro ma non troppo un poco maestoso
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Molto vivace
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Adagio molto e cantabile
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Presto-Allegro assai

Amazon.com

This is a surprisingly fine Beethoven cycle. Herbert Kegel had a reputation as a modern music specialist, and with good reason: He was a certified East German communist intellectual who killed himself shortly after the Berlin Wall came down--perfect for the wilder excesses of the modern German school. But he also had a very idiomatic feel for Beethoven as these objective, tautly rhythmic, and excitingly played performances prove. At super budget price, this set is worth considering. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great Beethoven Cycle.......2007-06-20

Most of my music is on LP or I have access thru Rhapsody. I picked these cds up as part of the 10 CD Beethoven Platinum Collection. Kegel does the first 5 discs, the same discs as in the boxed set here.

I am a niggardly (it means frugal on steroids) Scandinavian who is always trying to stretch a nickel into a dollar. Yet, every time I pursue this course, a little voice whispers in my ear, "You get what you pay for." The thrill of bargain hunting is finding a great value at a mere pittance. This results in left brain/right brain nirvana. I picked up the 10 CDs for about $10 and they sound great, especially the Beethoven Symphonies and especially the 9th. They are also very well recorded including excellent db master line levels.

The other great thing about bargain hunting is that if the purchase is a dud, you are only out a pittance! Just about the worst feeling is paying a premium and buying crapola. So, if you do buy these discs and you do not like them as I did, hopefully your wallet will not be emptied.

a fine combination of quality and value.......2005-12-29

This is a fine set of Beethoven symphonies, well played and recorded, except I think the recording level of the ninth is a bit lower than the rest of the symphonies (might just be my ears). You don't get fancy liner notes or fabulous photographs of the orchestral forces, but the performances are quite solid; the best being the opening of the fifth and the chorale finale of the ninth.

THIS SET IS AN ABSOLUTE STEAL.......2005-12-20

The performance of Symphony No. 5 in this set absolutely kicks serious butt- it's the most powerful, driven Fifth I've ever heard- worth the price of the whole set alone!!!! The rest of the CD's are excellent as well, but the Fifth in this set reigns supreme!

Excellent.......2005-09-26

This is an excellent series of recordings. The peak of which, of course, comes in the final CD with the 9th Symphony. The instruments are perfectly mixed so that one section doesn't outweigh another. The solosists are superior. The orchestra is crisp and precise. This is one of the best recordings of the nine symphonies out there. And it's a great value.

Pleasing overall..........2004-07-14

Beethoven's Symphonies are very popular among the classical community, and hence there are many versions and sets to choose from. This box set is wonderful for a classical lover who desires to obtain the complete symphonies, but can't afford to spend a hundred dollars in the process. This is by far not the best performance ever recorded by any means, but overall, it stays close to the music and is very traditional. So if you desire to gain a better appreciation for Beethoven's symphonies, but aren't willing or are unable to spend alot of money doing it, this is the perfect box set for you.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; Overtures; Violin Concerto (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Bernstein's First, Quite Possibly, Best, Beethoven Symphony Cycle
Bernstein's early Beethoven makes an enticing bargain

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; Overtures; Violin Concerto (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Sbme Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mahler: Symphonies Nos 1 2 4 5 & 9
Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6; Orchestral Works (Limited Edition)
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies
Tchaikovsky: The Complete Symphonies

ASIN: B00006OA68
Release Date: 2002-10-28

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In C Major, Op.21
Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op.36
Symphony No.4 In B-Flat Major, Op.60
Symphony No.6 In F Major, Op.68
Symphony No.9 In D Minor, Op.125
Concerto For Violin And Orchestra In D Major, Op.61

Customer Reviews:

Bernstein's First, Quite Possibly, Best, Beethoven Symphony Cycle.......2007-05-23

For those wondering why Leonard Bernstein was such an important, exciting conductor, there's no better introduction than these fine early stereo recordings he made with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Critics have celebrated these as exciting, revelatory accounts, almost as memorable as those from George Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra and Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker, which were recorded almost at the same time as Bernstein's. The only reason why I'd give higher recommendations to Szell's and Karajan's cycles lies primarily with the acoustical qualities of the recording studios (In Karajan's case the converted Berlin church where he made most of his 1960s and 1970s recordings with the Berliner Philharmoniker was sonically the best at that time.) and the overall quality of the musicianship of their respective ensembles, which I would have to rate slightly higher than the New York Philharmonic's. The two finest recordings from Bernstein's New York Philharmonic cycle are those with of the 3rd and 5th symphonies which remain two of the most dramatic recordings of these pieces that I've heard. Overall, I think this set deserves favorable comparisons with his mid 1970s Deutsche Grammophon cycle recorded with the Wiener Philharmoniker during live performances at Vienna's Musikverein; the only exceptional differences are the slightly warmer acoustics of the orchestra and concert hall in the 1970s cycle, and Bernstein's usage of slightly quicker tempi and smaller orchestral forces. If you're looking for an alternative traditional Beethoven symphony cycle, then you won't miss by acquiring this early Bernstein cycle.

Bernstein's early Beethoven makes an enticing bargain.......2007-02-20

I wonder if Leonard Bernstein was the first American conductor to record a complete Beethoven cycle? He must have been, and two of these performances--the Eroica and the Fifth Sym. -- were made famous as vehicles for LB's television talks in the Fities and Sixties. Millions of post-war kids learned from them and I'm one. In retrospect Bernstein's Beethoven wasn't as propulsive and exciting as memory made them. But these performances are full-boded, direct, and satisfying. Perhaps the authority of Karajan and the Berlin Phil. isn't present, but even so, Sony is offering the cycle as a tremendous bargain, all the more so if you buy it used at Amazon Marketplace. Several overtures are thrown in, along with Isaac Stern's excellent account of the Violin Concerto (conductor and soloist are in sympathy, as always, but this is one of their poorest sounding recordings, unfortunately).

LB used a big orchestra for his Beethoven, and the Columbia Records engineers caught them in a big, reverberant space. If you want to hear this music on a modest scale or with historical touches, lok elsewhere. After he decamped to Europe, Bernstein made a second Beethoven cycle with the Vienna Phil. that's leaner, faster, but somewhat lacking in the excitment of discovery that one heard the first time around.

Average customer rating:

Bohm is one of the great Beethoven conductors
Lush, dramatic and evocative
Beethoven's Symphonies 1,2,3,4,5
Overall, just fablulous.
Nobody is perfect, but why did it have to be the No. 5?

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures
Furtwangler Conducts Brahms - Complete Symphonies, etc / North German RSO, Berlin PO
4 Symphonies / Variations
The Bernstein Century - Beethoven: Symphony no 3 'Eroica' / Bernstein, New York PO

ASIN: B000001GL9
Release Date: 1994-11-22

Tracks:

Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 2. Andante cantabile con moto
Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 3. Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace
Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 4. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 2. Larghetto
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 3. Scherzo: Allegro - Attacca
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 4. Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 1. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 2. Adagio
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 3. Allegro vivace
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 4. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 1. Allegro con brio
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 2. Andante con moto
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 3. Allegro - attaca
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 4. Allegro

Amazon.com

Karl Böhm's Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven cycle is Deutsche Grammophon's best kept secret. Not only is it the finest complete set of Beethoven symphonies in their catalog, it's also far and away the best recorded, and to make matters even more irresistible, it's also the least expensive (it's available on three "twofer" sets). These performances are typical: weighty, intense, powerful, and magnificently played. Listen especially to the (comparatively) neglected Fourth Symphony: if Böhm doesn't convince you that this is major Beethoven, then no one can. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Bohm is one of the great Beethoven conductors.......2005-08-16

I have been collecting Karl Bohm's stereo recordings in earnest since 1993, and find his Beethoven among the best there is. This 2 disc set of Beethoven's Symphonies 1,2,4,and 5 should not disappoint anyone, unless they're really into the period instrument mentality of Hogwood, Gardiner, Norrington, Goodman, Weil, et al. The Vienna Philharmonic plays beautifully, and as you would expect, produce a burnished string and wind sound, wonderfully blended, but with clarity of lines where called for. Bohm is no speed demon, but he doesn't drag either: IV of Symphony 2 is slower than many I've heard, but it never drags.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that I believe Karl Bohm's Beethoven Symphony recordings from 1969-72 are better than Herbert von Karajan's 3 cycles with the Berlin Philharmonic, although there is no doubt Karajan is more marketed and celebrated by the public even 16 years after his death. Bohm is better interpretively, and has better sound in almost all movements of this symphony cycle. But he doesn't rely on dramatics to make his points: Bohm is solid as granite or the Rock of Gibralter, and you either like his approach or you don't. I do. About Karajan, his weakest cycle is the 1982-85 one, on DG. I would say the 1961-2 cycle is better, and the 1975-77 cycle best of Karajan's work, (both of these are DG also), but put them behind Bohm's cycle.

In addition to Bohm, I would recommend Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony(Sony Classical,for Symphonies 1 through 8, but not 9); Szell/Cleveland for 1,2,3,4,9 (Sony Classical), Bernstein/Vienna (DG).

In this particular release, I enjoyed all 4 symphonies, and found Symphony 5 to be among the best I've heard, along with Furtwangler (the Vienna Philharmonic recording, released in January 2005 by EMI), and Ormandy (Sony Classical, 2 CD set, with 6,7,and 8.)

Lush, dramatic and evocative.......2002-09-24

I played Symphony No. 1 on the way home from work today, and it was as if I were being transported to a higher plane. No music has ever done that to me.

I haven't listened to much classical music for a long time, but recently I found myself drawn to Beethoven as I had 20 years ago. Upon the first listening, these symphonies drew me in and carried me away. I love Beethoven's complexity, drama and sublety. This music so clearly demonstrates why people for generations have considered Beethoven one of the greatest composers.

In the hands of Karl Bohm and the Vienna Philharmonic, these symphonies express themselves like a flower awakening to the sun.

The sound quality of this recording is exceptional. It is like being in the symphony hall, but more personal.

Beethoven's Symphonies 1,2,3,4,5.......2002-05-19

Typically Beethoven, Symphony #4 lifts you off your chair and sends you away with it's power, and Symphony #5 is also a very strong piece of Music, same for Symphonies 1 and 2. If you love Early Beethoven, and love Classical music that really knocks your socks off then you will love this CD set.

Overall, just fablulous........2001-04-25

So now I,ve heard them all. Nine symphonies on three DG doubles and I'm very happy. Below I wrote about the fifth and it's unfortunate. Now the good points. The playing is great. I have some recordings by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra that feature playing so "tight" that it's scary. Sometimes it works(third symphony: thumbs-up), sometimes it doesn't(No. 5). I have Solti's 80's version of Beethoven's seventh and eighth whichs features very accurate playing put a real sense that the musicians are afraid to make a mistake, and it sounds just empty. Other disks I have are just sloppy. But this Bohm cycle sounds like relaxed perfection. It's wonderful: even when the playing is very fast, they are just purring along. I love it! The sound of the recording is another plus. Clear, warm, lively and almost no analog hiss. The Solti above sounds like a concrete gymnasium, Szell like a recording studio, the Muti cycle too crowded, '62 Karajan too old, Walter noisy and like a warehouse, Kleiber dramatic but too dark. But the Bohm sounds like a first-rate concert hall. The music? I could go on and on about the excellence of the interpretations. I get the impression that Bohm has a mind for "the whole piece" that is superior to just about everybody. If I hear a No. 8 that surpasses his, or a more beautiful second movement of the sixth, or a seventh that NAILS the climax better, or a more gleeful 4, or a more complete ninth, my head will explode.

Nobody is perfect, but why did it have to be the No. 5?.......2001-04-16

I love the No. 5. And Bohm's other Beethoven recordings are some of my most valued..anythings. But what the heck happened here? This fifth symphony is not good, and the tempo ain't the half of it. Slower tempos are fine. The problem is something else, like affinity for the music or something. As long as I have my Giulini/LA Phil No. 5(definately buy it!), I'll be fine. On a much happier note, the 4 is great! I've heard a few others and this one far surpasses them.

Average customer rating:

Generally solid, and a terrific price
Excellent Beethoven!
A great deal for the price
Not entirely successful

Symphonies Nos. 1-9

Manufacturer: Amadis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001KPE
Release Date: 2000-05-24

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro Con Brio - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Andante Con Moto - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.2 in D, Op.36: Adagio Molto/Allegro Con Brio - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.2 in D, Op.36: Larghetto - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.2 in D, Op.36: Scherzo: Allegro - Zagreb Phil
Sym No.2 in D, Op.36: Allegro Molto - Zagreb Phil

Tracks:

Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Allegro Con Brio - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Allegro Vivace - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.3 in E Flat, Op.55 'Eroica': Allegro Molto - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.8 in F, Op.93: Allegro Vivace E Con Brio - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.8 in F, Op.93: Allegretto Scherzando - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.8 in F, Op.93: Tempo Di Menuetto - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.8 in F, Op.93: Allegro Vivace - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil

Tracks:

Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastoral': Allegro Ma Non Troppo - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastoral': Andante Molto Mosso - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastoral': Allegro - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastoral': Allegro - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.6 in F, Op.68 'Pastoral': Allegretto - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.1 in C, Op.21: Adagio Molto/Allegro Con Brio - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.1 in C, Op.21: Andante Cantabile Con Moto - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.1 in C, Op.21: Menuetto: Allegro Molto E Vivace - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil
Sym No.1 in C, Op.21: Adagio-Allegro Molto E Vivace - CSR SO/Zagreb Phil

Tracks:

Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: Poco Sostenuto/Vivace - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: Allegretto - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: Presto - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: Allegro Con Brio - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.4 in B Flat, Op.60: Adagio/Allegro Vivace - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.4 in B Flat, Op.60: Adagio - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.4 in B Flat, Op.60: Menuetto: Allegro Vivace - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger
Sym No.4 in B Flat, Op.60: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Zagreb Phil/Richard Edlinger

Tracks:

Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': Allegro Ma Non Troppo/Un Poco Maestoso - Gabriele Lechner/Michael Pabst/Diane Elias/Robert Holzer
Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': Molto Vivace - Gabriele Lechner/Michael Pabst/Diane Elias/Robert Holzer
Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': Adagio Molto E Cantabile/Andante Moderato - Gabriele Lechner/Michael Pabst/Diane Elias/Robert Holzer
Sym No.9 in d, Op.125 'Choral': Finale: Presto - Gabriele Lechner/Michael Pabst/Diane Elias/Robert Holzer

Customer Reviews:

Generally solid, and a terrific price.......2003-09-08

This Beethoven set probably won't win any awards, but considering the price, it's surprisingly good. Richard Edlinger's conducting is straightforward and no-nonsense, and the Zagreb Philharmonic produces a solid, dark Beethoven sound. Unfortunately, two of the symphonies (3 and 6) are performed by the CSR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Halasz, and are noticeably weaker. Halasz's conducting is perfunctory and the CSR, whoever they are, has a thinner-sounding string section. The recording quality is excellent, however, and the price is unbeatable. If you're a cheapskate Beethoven fan, grab it.

One minor point ... Amazon describes this as a "box set." It isn't; it's in a foldout cardboard container (which is slightly too large to fit into a conventional CD storage rack).

Excellent Beethoven!.......2003-07-31

Having not spent my life in search for the "perfect" interpretation Beethoven's symphonies, I went with this satisfying set from Lydian. This is a very handsome collection with interesting notes on each symphony's creation and portraits of the master composer. The Zagreb Philharmonic proves themselves to be fine players with each passage clearly recorded and reproduced. The quality of sound is excellent! The tempos and interpretations feel appropriate. I have enjoyed getting to know each symphony through these recordings and anyone looking for a bargain price with quality performances will too. Fine music such as this will shine no matter who is playing. Bravo Beethoven! Bravo Zagreb!

A great deal for the price.......2002-12-14

Regardless of the comments of the reviewer above me (look up...if you dare) I must say this is a surprisingly good set of Beethoven's complete symphonies. Its true (as my above reviewer states) that some of the symphonies are taken at a fast tempo, but they are hardly "light". This set could very well be priced at three times as much as it currently is and still be considered a good deal. (I've learned that in the world of classical music, the most expensive CD is not ALWAYS the best)

Not entirely successful.......2002-01-10

The performances on this set range from D- to B-. The best are the 5,7, and 8 and the worst the 3 and 6. It seems clear that Edlinger is an able Beethoven conductor and his orchestra is basically fine. His interpretations are also really good on the 7 and 8 though the 5 is a little fast and lightweight for my taste. The other conductor is just well..unlistenable. Maybe a set that is good across the board is not to be expected at this price. My recommendation would be to save for the Karl Bohm cycle on DG, which is available on three doubles(and includes overtures), and supplement that with Giulini's wonderful no.5 with the LA phil.

Average customer rating:

SACD boxed set released!
one of the best modern Beethoven cycles
Good, but the orchestra is not top notch
Stunning Performance, Recording

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4 (Box Set)
Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 9 [Germany]
Bruckner: Symphony No.7
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8; Symphony No. 9
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 - The Cleveland Orchestra/Franz Welser-Most

ASIN: B00005QHV5
Release Date: 2001-11-05

Tracks:

No.1 - I - Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
- Ii - Andante Cantabile Con Moto
- Iii - Menuetto- Allegro Molto E Vivace
- Iv - Finale- Adagio Molto E Vivace
No.6 (Pastoral) - I - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
- Ii - Andante Molto Moto
- Iii - Allegro
- Iv - Allegro
- V - Allegretto
Symphony 2 - Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
Larghetto
Scherzo- Allegro
Allegro Molto
Symphony 7 - Poco Sostenuto - Vivace
Allegretto
Presto
Allegro Con Brio
Symphony 3 (Erocia) - Allegro Con Brio
Marcia Funebre- Adagio Assai
Scherzo- Allegro Vivace
Finale- Allegro Molto
Symphony 8 - Allegro Vivace E Con Brio
Allegretto Scherzando
Tempo Di Menuetto
Allegro Vivace
(4) Adagio - Allegro Vivace
(4) Adagio
(4) Menuetto- Allegro Vivace
(4) Allegro Ma Non Troppo
(5) Allegro Con Brio
(5) Andante Con Moto
(5) Allegro
(5) Allegro
Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso
Molto Vivace - Presto
Adagio Molto E Cantabile
Presto
Presto - O Freunde, Nicht Diese T Ne! - Allegro Assai

Customer Reviews:

SACD boxed set released!.......2007-04-22

In March, an SACD set of all the symphonies of Beethoven conducted by Gunter Wand was released in Japan by BMG & Esoteric(a japanese audio maker, a branch of TEAC). It's sound quality is marvelous!This SACDs are being sold only in Japan. Go to Amazon.co.jp or HMV Japan now!

one of the best modern Beethoven cycles .......2005-03-30

During a season of Beethoven I decided to finally hear ALL the symphonies, and so I started to search for a complete cycle. This Beethoven symphonic cycle is the current recommendation of Gramophone, out of all those available -- strong praise indeed! Is Gramophone misguided, deluded or otherwise discombobulated, thus explaining their idiosyncratic choice? I think not. Nobody pays me to listen to Beethoven cycles all day long, so I can't say whether Wand's with the NDRSO of Hamburg (remastered from the original 1980s recordings) is the absolute best, but I can testify that it is great -- no weak links, and several contenders for the best available performance.

The amazing Gunter Wand, who emerged as one of the world's great conductors late in life before his death in 2002, leads the NDRSO in strong, convincing versions of the 1st and 2nd, generally regarded as solid but less than revolutionary works. The 6th is absolutely transcendental, making a believer of me. I had never considered it to be one of Beethoven's best, a bit on the "light" side, but Wand brings it alive and I have seen the light! I am currently listening to two 4ths, this one and one of Furtwangler's wartime performances (on Music & Arts), both of which are very impressive, but it's too early for comment.

The remaining symphonies are all superb, but face the strongest possible competition from the legions of great conductors and orchestras that have tackled these great works over the years. I am partial to Szell's 3rd and 8th with Cleveland, and I can now hear more clearly how distinctive his taut, streamlined interpretation is compared to Wand's, which is fuller-bodied. Furtwangler's immortal live performances of the 3rd are incomparable in their intensity, which can only be fully appreciated by comparison to a powerful, yet mortal account such as Wand's. Of course Kleiber, leading the VPO, reigns with the 5th and 7th. The magnitude of his accomplishment looms ever larger upon the realization that these Wand performances are top-notch, and yet Kleiber goes still further into the Beethovenian essence. That leaves the 9th, and while Wand and the NDRSO present a magnificent performance, it is impossible to say that it is better than the best of Furtwangler (ie, Bayreuth 1951 for the best combination of performance and sound -- see my review).

A word on the packaging -- the "box" is just a thin cardboard liner enclosing 5 standard jewel boxes. All have the same navy blue-with-silver-lettering design, quite appropriately noble looking. The combinations are 1&6, 2&7, 3&8, 4&5 and 9.

This Wand cycle has added immensely to my appreciation of Beethoven, and I strongly recommend it.

Good, but the orchestra is not top notch.......2004-03-28

Everyone knows Gunter Wand as the definitive Brucknerian. His traversal of the symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic on RCA has been received with open arms. Indeed, the performances are nothing short of astounding. Eager to hear what maestro Wand had to offer with the Beethoven symphonies, I immediately bought this set of the symphonies. However, I was disappointed with the orchestral playing of the set. The symphonies are all fantastically conducted (Wand is genius), with fantastic orchestral balance, top-notch recording quality - every note in its proper place. But as fantastic as that all is, the NDR Orchestra is no Berlin Philharmonic.

Of the nine symphonies, Wand is at his best with the smaller works. The first and second symphonies are top notch. Wand's enthusiasm is evident and the playing is as energetic as ever. Wand's Eroica is very good as well, but he uses Beethoven's original score, not the Hans von Bulow edition, leaving a somewhat empty feeling at the end of the opening allegro. The forth, pastoral, and eighth are, like the first two symphonies, played masterfully. The fifth and seventh are good, routine performances, but Carlos Kleiber's recording with Vienna of these works is the definitive version. Finally, Wand's Ninth is surprising fantastic (see my review).

This is a fantastic set, considering the limitations of the orchestra. And, listening to what Wand does with this all to familiar music is a riveting experience. I highly recommend this set to anyone. Beethoven is one composer you can never have too many recordings of.

Stunning Performance, Recording.......2004-01-08

There are many Beethoven Symphony cycles out there, but this is my favorite so far. The sound quality is head and shoulders above all others I've heard -- the symphonic textures are rich and easily discernable, as if you were sitting in the best seats of the house, in the best symphony hall. Wand's conducting is also very good, and I particularly find his 6th and 9th appealing, for once tipping my preference towards rich modern orchestras instead of period pieces by Gardiner and others. (It also doesn't hurt just how affordable this set is!)

Liszt: Piano Transcriptions of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 (First Movement)

Average customer rating:

Non-believers may want to hesitate
SKIP THIS ONE, AND GET GOULD'S LISZT'S BEETHOVEN'S SIXTH INSTEAD...
One of the most pyramidal achievements of Mr Gould!
Does not compare to Cyprien Katsaris
Beethoven's Fifth for Piano Solo

Liszt: Piano Transcriptions of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 (First Movement)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Glenn Gould Edition: Beethoven/Liszt
Gould Meets Menuhin
Glenn Gould Edition: Schumann & Brahms
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 24 "À Thérèse" & 29 "Hammerklavier"
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (Piano Transcription)

ASIN: B0000028NV
Release Date: 1992-10-13

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: II. Andante con moto
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: III. Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68: Awakening Of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival In The Country: Allegro ma non troppo

Amazon.com

None of Liszt's ingenuous Beethoven symphony transcriptions had been recorded when Glenn Gould charted virgin territory in 1967 with the Fifth. Not only does Gould take Liszt's prodigious technical demands in stride, he also turns in what may be his best Beethoven playing on record. The pianist brings a kind of rhythmic acuity to the outer movements that makes many orchestral versions seem tame in comparison, even those with faster tempos. Gould's genius for sustaining tension at slow tempos is fully revealed in the second movement, in which each phrase is timed to a T. The first movement of the Pastorale flows more assuredly and accurately than in Gould's CBC Radio performance of the entire transcription. It's a pity Gould abandoned his plans to record the entire cycle. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Non-believers may want to hesitate.......2006-09-11

Arguing against Glenn Gould's eccentric choices of recording material is a guarantee of being scorched here at Amazon, but in all fairness, Beethoven's symphonies lose a great deal in piano transcription. The instrument cannot sustain a true legato, encompass orchestral power, mimic wooodwind and brass colors, etc. What we're left with when you erase all the orchestration is Gould's personal interpretation. I wondered if he would have brillinat or even just strange new ideas about the Fifth. He doesn't. this is basically a straightforward reading of the score, the way a conductor might play it at home to learn the work. For me, one listen was enough, but of course GG fans will strongly disagree.

SKIP THIS ONE, AND GET GOULD'S LISZT'S BEETHOVEN'S SIXTH INSTEAD..........2006-04-14

Gould's Liszt's Beethoven's Fifth is a strange realization. I've been a GG fan--and a Beethoven fan--for over 30 years; still, I can't say I really like this recording. Again, Gould sees the piece as a gestalt--which is a good thing. The first movement he plays like the early Beethoven sonatas. He expands the time scale of the second movement, which is also a good thing. However, in the third movement GG seems a little fussy to me: but I hasten to add that I think this is Liszt's fault: I think Liszt's transcription is quirky. The last movement has those tremolos which Gould termed, "the worst excesses of Aunt Sadie at the upright [!]." One might imagine an old silent film accompaniment with the villan tieing the heroine to the railroad tracks: it's bathos at it's worst: hilarious. But Gould is just following Liszt's score.

Another critic says the first movement of B's Sixth is better than the whole gestalt GG did for CBC: WRONG! Lookit: my whole hearted recommendation is that art lovers obtain the whole recording of GG's B's Sixth instead of this recording. It's listed on Amazon as Glenn Gould Edition: Beethoven/Liszt ASIN: B0000028NW. That is the realization to get.

One of the most pyramidal achievements of Mr Gould!.......2005-03-03

This record is simply a musical treasure. Glenn Gould made a glorious and breathtaking performance of this score, maintaining an expressive lyricism, and idiomatic approach about this hard to play transcription. Gould knew to express the inner tensions and the force of this quintessential Symphony. You won't miss the original version for whole orchestra.

A sublime masterwork which proved again the huge loss that meant for all the world the early vanishing of this giant keyboardist.

In memoriam: 1932-1982.

Does not compare to Cyprien Katsaris.......2004-05-09

I've heard several performances of Beethoven's Symphonies on piano. The performances by Cyprien Katsaris are far superior to Glenn Gould's. Katsaris closely follows the original score by Beethoven, takes the repeats, and plays at the proper tempo consistently. Gould hums, plays too slowly and never takes repeats.

Comparing the 5th Symphony between Gould and Katsaris, it's easy to hear vast differences. Throughout the symphony, Katsaris plays with passion, excitement and tension. He adds notes left out by Liszt (and Gould) and he takes the repeats (often playing them the "ossia"). The symphony is much more entertaining and accurately played by Katsaris. The final movement by Gould is slow and almost boring. While Katsaris performs it quickly and precisely.

Overall Katsaris adds notes for instruments Liszt left out for all 9 Symphonies and is much more accurate than any other performance I've ever heard. I highly recommend Cyprien Katsaris over anyone else for Beethoven's Symphonies.

Beethoven's Fifth for Piano Solo.......2002-01-19

This CD is top-rate. The recording quality is excellent. Some piano recordings can sound distant--not this one. You feel like you're standing next to the piano. Glenn Gould plays Beethoven's Fifth Symphony with flawless virtuosity, and he stays true to the symphony. The piano arrangement by Liszt captures the symphony's message, and you will want to turn up the volume and listen to every note. If you like Beethoven's Fifth and you like solo piano, this CD is a winner. Note that only the first movement of the Sixth Symphony is on this CD.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4 & 5 [Germany]

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4 & 5 [Germany]
Kertesz , and Bamberger Symphoniker
Manufacturer: Concerto Royale
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NUQ7
Release Date: 2006-04-27

Tracks: