Beethoven-Harnoncourt: 9 Symphonies [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
When it was first released in 1991, this set created a furor. Nikolaus Harnoncourt is famous as one of the pioneers of the "authentic instrument" movement, but he is also a musician of deep insight and strong, sometimes willful, interpretive gifts. He opts here for modern instruments played in period style for strings and winds, but mixes them with antique brass and percussion. The result is a truly fresh look at Beethoven that has worn well over time. Harnoncourt naturally excels in the early works--the ones closest to his 18th-century period of specialization. But he succeeds equally in the Big Conductor Test pieces, like the Fifth and Seventh. The performances of the Sixth and Ninth are more controversial, one being extremely relaxed (it is the Pastoral symphony after all), the other a bit lightweight. The sum total, however, remains a major statement by one of the most provocative and important conductors of our time. --David Hurwitz

Beethoven-Harnoncourt: 9 Symphonies, Music, Birgit Remmert, Robert Holl, Ludwig van Beethoven, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Peter Richards, Charlotte Margiono, Rudolf Schasching, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Romantic Symphony, Symphonic

Average customer rating:

Recommended--but don't throw out your Toscanini

Very good/interesting set of Beethoven's symphonies

Un Beethoven che suona come Bach

Masterpiece Collection is THE Beethoven Symphony Standard

Beethoven rides again!

Beethoven-Harnoncourt: 9 Symphonies

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Beethoven: Overtures

Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies / Gardiner

ASIN: B000000SDB
Release Date: 1991-10-11

Tracks:

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
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55: Marcia funebre: Adagio assai
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55: Scherzo: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55: Finale: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Sinfonia pastorale': Allegro ma non troppo - Awakening Of Joyful Feelings On Arrival In The Country
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Sinfonia pastorale': Andante molto moto - Scene At The Brook
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Sinfonia pastorale': Allegro - Merrymaking Of The Country Folk
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Sinfonia pastorale': Allegro - Thunderstorm
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Sinfonia pastorale': Allegretto - Pastoral Song. Feelings Of Happiness And Gratitude After The Storm
Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: Allegro vivae e con brio
Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: Allegretto scherzando
Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: Tempo di Minuetto
Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

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: Allegro
Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: Allegro molto
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

Tracks:

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
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: Poco sostenuto - Vivace
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: Presto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: Allegro con brio

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: Molto vivace
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: Adagio molto e cantabile
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: 1. Presto - Allegro assai - 2. Presto - Rezitativo - 3. Allegro assai vivace alla marcia - 4. Allegro ma non tanto

Amazon.com

When it was first released in 1991, this set created a furor. Nikolaus Harnoncourt is famous as one of the pioneers of the "authentic instrument" movement, but he is also a musician of deep insight and strong, sometimes willful, interpretive gifts. He opts here for modern instruments played in period style for strings and winds, but mixes them with antique brass and percussion. The result is a truly fresh look at Beethoven that has worn well over time. Harnoncourt naturally excels in the early works--the ones closest to his 18th-century period of specialization. But he succeeds equally in the Big Conductor Test pieces, like the Fifth and Seventh. The performances of the Sixth and Ninth are more controversial, one being extremely relaxed (it is the Pastoral symphony after all), the other a bit lightweight. The sum total, however, remains a major statement by one of the most provocative and important conductors of our time. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Recommended--but don't throw out your Toscanini.......2005-12-07

As many have mentioned, Harnoncourt's set of Beethoven symphonies are "refreshing", combining the vibrato-less clarity of period instrument practices, the weight and power of a modern orchestra, brilliant playing that is a joy in itself, and excellent recorded sound. But while I want to emphasize that this is all highly admirable, there are a couple reasons why this set is not necessarily the definitive "best" that some have claimed it to be, or at least not the set for which to foresake all others. First, the orchestra's self-conscious striving for finesse can predominate at times. The willfully suave, uninflected treatment of the first movement of the "Pastorale" is characteristic of Harnoncourt's absolute aversion to staccatos! In the Fourth and Eighth Symphonies, there is some accenting in the first movements which is either uniquely rugged or eccentric, take your pick; and in the Fifth and Seventh, heavy accenting that's almost vulgar. Finally, Harnoncourt's unforced grip seems a bit slack, perhaps with the intent of giving expressive leeway in refurbishing these familiar works, but the result may have some listeners pining for the tauter concentration and longer singing line of, say, Szell. My reservations don't negate a strong recommendation of this set but I do recommend that you hang on to your other classic versions for other ways to hear this music.

Very good/interesting set of Beethoven's symphonies.......2005-11-10

Overall, I'd highly recommend Harnoncourt's cycle.

First, a little about the overall character: The symphonies are performed on a mid-sized orchestra using modern instruments (except for the horns), but with certain period performing practices. For example, there is noticably less vibrato than normal, and tempos tend to be a bit brisker than most modern instrument performances. Harnoncourt has a very individual approach, and every symphony has at least one or two surprises. Finally, for those who find it important (like me), all repeats are included.

Now, for the individual symphonies:

1, 2, & 4: I don't have vast knowledge of what these three symphonies sound like on other disks, but I think they sound great here, and are all my #1 versions.

3: The first two movements are taken on the fast side, and aside from some obscured detail in one part of the first movement, come off very well. In the first movement, the horns at the very end of the development blare so triumphantly it literally startled me the first couple of times. The last movements are pretty much standard, and also very good. My favorite so far.

5: An excellent version. I've never heard the oboe solo in the first movement sound as emotionally powerful as it does here. This version and Kleiber's are my favorites.

6: This is the most complained-about part of this set. I actually have no objections to this version, though I haven't heard any of the versions frequently cited as the best.

7: Kleiber's version is just plain better in my opinion. In Harnoncourt's last movement, the main theme tends to get buried under the "rhythm section," and the other movements don't surpass Kleiber in any way I could hear. It's still a good version, though.

8: Both have different virtues, but I think I prefer Karajan '62 over Harnoncourt's. I haven't heard a perfect version of the eighth yet.

9: Solely in terms of conducting decisions, this is my prototype for a perfect Ninth. In the second movement, I love Harnoncourt's recklessly fast acceleration into the trio, and the last half of the fourth movement is superb. This part always dragged in other versions I'd heard, but here the last ten minutes are totally exhillarating. However, the size of the orchestra and quality of the solo singers keep this from being a perfect recording. Turning up the volume almost negates the size issue, but there's no ignoring that up until the turkish march, I've heard much better singing. Still, this is the version I usually listen to nowadays.

To summarize, I think this is an excellent (albeit expensive) set. It contains the only versions of 1-4 I currently listen to, my top versions of 5 & 9, and good versions of the remaining symphonies.

Un Beethoven che suona come Bach.......2004-08-28

Il suono è stupendo certo, e la direzione sicura. Ma a volte, specie nelle prime sinfonie, sembra come di sentire una eco di...Bach. La nona sinfonia poi ha dei tempi troppo lenti e sincopati. Provate a connfrontarla con una delle stupende interpretazioni di Karajan, e capirete la differenza.

Masterpiece Collection is THE Beethoven Symphony Standard.......2004-01-24

From my perspective, this is THE standard to compare against for any Beethoven symphony. The recordings are phenomenal.

Beethoven rides again!.......2003-01-09

One 20th century theologian described preaching as 'logic on fire'. A phrase that sums-up Harnoncourt's way with Beethoven! These are incandescent preformances, fiery, explosive and intense. A surprise, for the accompanying booklet says Harnoncourt has an antipathy towards the 'agitative' qualities of this music. He was determined to avoid 'the mindless heroism typical of so many other interpreters'. Well, 'mindless' these performances are not!

Harnoncourt has rethought every phrase, dynamic and tempo. That could have produced self-consciously, wilfully 'different' results. Individual his approach may be but the solutions seem so right. You find yourself again and again thinking 'That's exactly how I have wanted to hear that played!' These are overwhelming and overwhelmingly convincing performances of the masterpieces.

The Eroica is starting. The the first movement is like lightening scintillating over water. The climax driven relentlessly, generating massive energy. Certainly 'heroic'! Then with the murmurs of the Funeral March, heavy with sorrow, seeming to be darker than usual after the such dazzlingly bright 'success', tells us that Dark-night sweeps away the mightiest.

The 7th is also outstandingly effective. This far more than the deification of dance. This tells of ultimate triumph, transcendental hope, life, joy! The effect of the final peroration is intoxicating! (How exquisitely exciting the COE horns!)

Only the Pastoral seems an enigma. The first movement oddly reluctant, devoid of a vocabulary of unbuttoned joy we know Beethoven expresses.

Then there is the jaw-dropping virtuosity of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the perfect complement to the conductor's intentions and spirit (the recording so good it goes unnoticed).

If beauty is to be found on the edge of safety (according to Harnoncourt) then this orchestra and this conductor could not have come closer! Brilliant!

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