Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 7 & 8

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Claudio Abbado's fine performance of Beethoven's Seventh is also available at mid-price, coupled to the Fifth. The problem with this full-price issue is that his performance of the Eighth is better than that of the Fifth, but no one really cares about the Eighth Symphony anyhow, making the choice a bit frustrating. The best thing to do would be to forget about Abbado for Beethoven, and go for Leonard Bernstein, Karl Böhm, or Herbert von Karajan (if you want Deutsche Grammophon), and any one of a dozen better versions on other labels. Much simpler that way. --David Hurwitz

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 7 & 8, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Claudio Abbado, Wiener Philharmoniker, Classical, Classical Music, Romantic Symphony, Symphonic

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Average customer rating:

Unsatisfactory audio quality

Kleiber does Beethoven...and does it right!

a legendary recording

Simply revelatory

An ultimate Beethoven interpretion of Sym 5 and Sym 7

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GPX
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: 1 - Allegro con brio
Symphonie No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: 2 - Andante con moto
Symphonie No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: 3 - Allegro
Symphonie No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: 4 - Allegro
SYMPHONIE NO. 7 IN A MAJOR, OP. 92: 1 - Poco sostenuto - vivace
SYMPHONIE NO. 7 IN A MAJOR, OP. 92: 2 - Allegretto
SYMPHONIE NO. 7 IN A MAJOR, OP. 92: 3 - Presto
SYMPHONIE NO. 7 IN A MAJOR, OP. 92: 4 - Allegro con brio

Amazon.com essential recording

Long regarded as the quintessential interpretation of the most popular and best-loved symphony ever written, this performance of the Fifth has everything: passion, precision, drama, lyric beauty, and a coiled fury in the first movement that sets your pulse racing from the very first note. Carlos Kleiber has made very few recordings in his distinguished career, but almost all are special. If you own no other copy of this symphony, this is the one to get. It comes with an exceptional performance of the Seventh--not quite as gripping as the Fifth, but definitely one of the great ones. There is classical music, and there are classic recordings of classical music. This one's a classic. -- David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Unsatisfactory audio quality.......2007-07-13

The performance is marred by the inferior audio quality. It seems that the engineers of this CD have not adequately limited the dynamic range, with the result that the loud passages are too loud and the soft passages are too soft. I found myself constantly adjusting the volume control. I have purchased other CDs from Deutsche Grammophon (e.g., the Brahms Symphony collection) and those CDs are fine.

Kleiber does Beethoven...and does it right!.......2007-07-12

A terrific 5th!

This is the best rendition of Beethoven's 5th Symphony I've ever heard. It has a continuous pace and energy that I've seldom heard when listening to this piece before.

Beethoven's 5th has often described as "fate knocking at the door". Well Kleiber's interpretation still has fate knocking at the door, but urgently... very urgently, and with the utmost positive effect. (I somehow envision the musicians lathered in sweat and collapsing from fatigue at the end of this piece).

This disc also has Beethoven's 7th Symphony; it too is very well done and, on any other CD, would be the focal point of attention.

A great CD; one to be considered in anyone's collection of classical music.
5 Stars.

R. Nicholson

a legendary recording.......2007-03-06

"For all Kleiber's notable work, there will be a lingering regret that such a natural and brilliant talent did not achieve even more." - The Guardian

Even Beethoven legends like Karajan could not emulate Kleiber's success with these 2 symphonies. The 5th Symphony, as commercially overplayed as it is, becomes something completely different under his baton; the final movement is especially dramatic, rivaling the energy of an actual live recording. The 7th Symphony is not so superior - other conductors have come closer to this benchmark - but the 2nd movement (again overplayed) is truly something special. The recording, made over 30 years ago, sounds just as good as anything made today.

With 100+ recordings, my review seems somewhat superfluous, as well :)

Simply revelatory.......2007-02-12

To be able to generate such passion and electricity especially in the studio seems exactly what Beethovan wanted the music at the time. To me this version puts all other versions out of court.

An ultimate Beethoven interpretion of Sym 5 and Sym 7.......2007-02-06

Carlos Kleiber who was relatively unknown until fairly recently, has created a masterpiece. In effect he has been rediscovered. His father was no mean figure in classical music during WWII in South America and the son seems to have inherited a great deal of inspirational genius from Dad. The Viena Philharmonic is playing in its best form. This recording will outlive most others for musical excellence, precision, feeling and soul. Technically and musically, this is by far the most thrilling recording of our time. The technical sound is flawless, the inspiration is impeccable.The recording of both symphonies sustains the level of awe and excitement not usually found on most recordings of Beethoven. Oh, dear, would that Carlos had recorded the Missa Solemnis and other iconic monuments by Beethoven.

Average customer rating:

A Powerful Interpretation of Two Great Symphonies
Don't overlook Claudio Abbado's 7th & 8th
second opinion

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 7 & 8

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B000001G92
Release Date: 1987-12-30

Tracks:

Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 1. Poco Sostenuto-Vivace
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 2. Allegretto
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 3. Presto
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 4. Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.9 in F, Op.93: 1. Allegro Vivace E Con Brio
Sym No.9 in F, Op.93: 2. Allegretto Scherzando
Sym No.9 in F, Op.93: 3. Tempo Di Menuetto
Sym No.9 in F, Op.93: 4. Allegro Vivace

Amazon.com

Claudio Abbado's fine performance of Beethoven's Seventh is also available at mid-price, coupled to the Fifth. The problem with this full-price issue is that his performance of the Eighth is better than that of the Fifth, but no one really cares about the Eighth Symphony anyhow, making the choice a bit frustrating. The best thing to do would be to forget about Abbado for Beethoven, and go for Leonard Bernstein, Karl Böhm, or Herbert von Karajan (if you want Deutsche Grammophon), and any one of a dozen better versions on other labels. Much simpler that way. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A Powerful Interpretation of Two Great Symphonies.......2003-09-27

I can still recall the first time I heard Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. It was a warm summer evening, and I could not get to sleep. I had a clock radio and turned it on to listen to some music. I fumbled across the local classical station which was broadcasting a concert of the Boston Symphony live from Tanglewood. I caught most of the third movement and all of the fourth, and was immediately in love. I could not wait to purchase an LP of the recording for myself (this was 1977, mind you). I took a train into Boston, went right to Jordan Marsh, and found the LP I was looking for, or so I thought. When I got home, I realized I made a mistake. I purchased Symphony #8. After listening to it, I was hardly disappointed. I later did get Symphony #7. My LPs are long gone and I have graduated to compact disks, and I probably have five different versions of the two symphonies. The Vienna Philharmonic recording with Claudio Abbado is hands down my favorite of both works. The Vienna Philharmonic has a great reputation regarding Beethoven, and Abbado's interpretation only adds credence to this reputation.

Symphony #7 is a majestic, powerful piece that has moments of exaltation and sheer beauty. The first movement is playful, the second tranquil, the third, exhilarating, and the fourth and final movement is sheer excitement. Some recordings can either lack the enthusiasm needed for this piece, or sound just plain bombastic, but Abbado has control over the work that allows the music's great possibilities become reality. Many recordings abridge this great work, but this recording is the masterpiece in its fullness.

Symphony #8 is simply playful. Beethoven wanted people to simply enjoy the music, and Abbado seems to enjoy this piece. I am certain listeners will enjoy it too.

Don't overlook Claudio Abbado's 7th & 8th.......2003-08-27

I have just in the last few years acquired a taste for classical music. What sparked the interest was a CD that came into my possession of Beehoven's 7th & 8th, conducted by Claudio Abbado. The CD does not have a case, it vanished long ago (the result of raising three teenagers). Since then I have purchased a few dozen Beethoven CD's, including the entire cycles by Karajan (1963 edition) and Bernstein. Without a doubt the Claudio Abbado 7th and 8th is VASTLY superior for my tastes. It is played with rousing vigor and enthusiasm by the Vienna Philharmonic. While the Karajan's and Bernsteins may be more "classical" by most standards, the Abbado is played with punch, vigor, and enthusiasm. It could be I apprecaited it more being raised on Rock and Roll, but I can clearly hear the differences and make the comparisons without hesitation, and I like what I hear.

second opinion.......2000-01-07

I want to respond to the amazon.com editorialist, David Hurwitz's, opinion. I own a complete Claudio Abbado Beethoven cycle, and it is hardly ideal, but among his peers there is no equal and I'm sick of critics recommending Leonard Bernstein recordings of any kind for any reason! Bernstein missed his calling with the Boston Pops. Karajan did some good stuff, but I wouldn't ever recommend his Beethoven. Karajan was from a well established Salzburg family and thats exactly how he conducts Beethoven. As for Karl Boehm, I'd recommend the Pastoral which has been newly remastered by DG. As far as Abbado's Beethoven goes, it is closer to the powerful spirit of Furtwangler's vision than any other serious conductor today. There is an elitist notion that if you are Italian, you are disqualified from conducting Beethoven. If you are looking for a more recent "faithful" Beethoven, try Gardiner's Missa Solemnis.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 7 & 8

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E4DS
Release Date: 1990-12-10

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 1. Poco Sostenuto-Vivace
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 2. Allegretto
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 3. Presto
Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: 4. Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: 1. Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: 3. Allegro
Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: Allegro

Amazon.com

The fact that excerpts began appearing at lower prices soon after initial release is, perhaps, indicative of the lack of success met by Claudio Abbado's Beethoven cycle. Usually there's no relationship at all between quality of performance and price in the classical music world, but when the "knock down" happens really fast, you know something's up. Abbado's Beethoven wasn't all that bad, actually, just inconsistent. Here's a case in point: the Seventh is really excellent, while the Fifth is a bit of a disappointment. So, if you want to sample Abbado's strengths and weaknesses in this music, here's your chance. --David Hurwitz

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

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