Conducts Beethoven & Strauss

1. Symphony No. 6 in F major ("Pastoral") Op. 68
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Wilhelm Furtwangler

2. Don Juan, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 20
Composed by Richard Strauss
with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Wilhelm Furtwangler

Conducts Beethoven & Strauss,Furtwangler,Beethoven,Strauss,Berlin Phil,Enterprise,Classical

Ode to Freedom: Bernstein Conducts Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Berlin
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The Best Ever Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (in Berlin)

Who let this old fart conduct this masterpiece?

I will only listen to this work in private

The longest running commercial

A sloppy, heaartfelt performance from a great occasion

Ode to Freedom: Bernstein Conducts Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Berlin

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GDR
Release Date: 1990-03-01

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

The Best Ever Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (in Berlin).......2007-04-29

This is no doubt the best rendition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Even though it was recorded live you can feel the crowds passion in silence as the music sores our spirits to new hights.
The depth of the acoustics and the feelings it evokes in one is outstanding.
You have not lived until you hear this live concerto at full volume.
You wont be disappointed, if your new to Classical, I reccomend this as a start to your collection.
Listen with Headphones and think of the Berlin Wall and the tragedy that surrounded it, only to be lifted by mans yearning for freedom. This is what Beethoven would of wanted to deliver this piece for.

Who let this old fart conduct this masterpiece?.......2007-02-25

I know who let him conduct it! Those greedy DG music executives, that's who, hoping to make a quick killing with the release of this sludge of a performance. The fall of the Berlin Wall was an event of great significance and to commemorate the occasion, DG gets the most famous living conductor in the world to conduct one of the greatest and most famous works of music in history, Beethoven's 9th Symphony! They even changed the word joy to the word freedom in the finale! This had the makings of something truly special but unfortunately it falls short of even the most mediocre expectations.

Herbert von Karajan died not too long before the Berlin Wall fell and if he was still alive, it would undoubtedly be Karajan conducting on this recording, not Bernstein. Karajan became an old man physically in his final years, but his musicmaking never surrendered to his age. Karajan's last decade of performances was just as vigorous and intense as in the good, old days. Bernstein on the other hand, really did become an old man, physically and musically. His tempos became messy and lethargic, everything was elongated, ponderous and many times vapid. Don't think I'm wanting in respect to Bernstein, I think he was great when he was young, never on the level of Toscanini, Furtwangler, Karajan, but great nonetheless. Even in his final years, Lenny could turn out a gem like Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra but more and more Bernstein became the hack, the slow, painful hack. Listen to the infamous Tchaikovsky 6th from the final Bernstein years, it's a joke!

Returning to this Beethoven 9th, it is just as much of a joke as that Tchaikovsky 6th. The first movement is nearly 18 minutes long, limp and slow without any of the apocalyptic climaxes that you have to deliver if you're going to take such a spacious tempo. The scherzo is better, one short repeat is skipped and the movement is palatable. The adagio is awful, 20 minutes long and without any spiritual tension at all. Furtwangler's famous wartime 9th also has a 20 minute adagio but it is phrased and sculpted so beautifully, with such inner intensity that it overwhelms you and tears are not uncommon upon hearing it's magnificence. Bernstein on the other hand puts you to sleep. It's nap time.

The finale, can Bernstein pull it off? Did he ever? This might come as a shock to some but as great a conductor as Bernstein was, he never recorded a great version of the 9th Symphony. I repeat, never! Not with the NYPO, not in Vienna and certainly not here in Berlin with this hastily put together concoction of musicians from various orchestras. Bernstein could succeed with the initial three movements, back in NY and in Vienna with the VPO, but the finale always eluded him. He schmaltzed it up every up, he made it disjointed, episodic and nearly incoherent as on this "Ode to Freedom" CD. It becomes not joy, not freedom but instead, a hapless, lethargic mess. The whole thing seems like a funeral and proceeds for nearly 29 minutes! Karl Bohm's final digital version on DG was also that slow but felt somewhat more alive what with the great orchestra and chorus. Bernstein doesn't even have that.

Please, whatever you do, don't listen to this nightmare and conclude that this is Beethoven's 9th. It's not. If you want to hear the 9th, there is Furtwangler, Karajan, Toscanini, Solti, Wand, whomever, but not this Bernstein, it's possibly the worst ever! I'm not exaggerating, it's just as egregious as Roger Norrington's infamous London Classical Players recording, except for totally different reasons. Norrington is the worst of the period-instrument, fast paced, clipped readings and this Bernstein is the worst of the traditional, big orchestra versions.

If you just love Bernstein and want to hear him in Beethoven's 9th Symphony, go buy his earlier versions, one from the late 1970's with the Vienna Philharmonic and one with the New York Philharmonic from the 1960's. Those versions are average but even average is far superior to this epic mess called "Ode to Freedom". Please free yourself from this recording, it's only good as a bad joke!

I will only listen to this work in private.......2006-08-18

For years, when I listened to the 9th, I would play the 1st and 2nd movements
and then skip to the finale. I enjoy crisp, energetic and powerful music and
the 9th has it in unsurpassed measure. And this rendition provides just that.
I haven't listened to all the great performances of the 9th, but I've listened
to quite a few, and this is my favorite. This is the version I compare all the
subsequent ones I've listened to. I've heard better 4th mvts., but this one is
very near to the best. The first two movts. are done competantly and do not
disappoint. If the skills of the orchestra and recording quality were to be the
same....the time alotted the conductor, that he has to rehearse a work with
his players, determines it's ultimate success. I believe that Bernstein had a
good amount of time to communicate his interpretation to this orchestra.
And Lord knows there was high motivation by all concerned in the project.
Bernstein's interpretation of Beethoven's 3rd movt., the adagio molto e
cantabile, is by far the finest I've ever experienced. The emotional
groundwork is laid and the peak and resolution are sublime.
I know I'm going to fight back the tears, if I'm allowed to
listen this 3rd movt without distraction. If you ever get the opportunity
to purchase the video tape of this concert, do by all means buy it.
Oddly, the audio recording, alone, does not contain the full emotional
impact of the performance. However the audio CD is a "must have".
But, the full effect of the live performance in the video tape with
both audio and visual is truly magnificant. I'm not going
to attempt to describe it here. Why it's not reprinted for more to
experience is a sad business. People don't know what they're missing.
I allow myself to view my copy but seldom. I dare not watch it too
many times.

The longest running commercial.......2005-10-09

But one would rather watch the Milk commerical, at least it markets some real stuff and doesn't take 70+ labored minutes. The coalition of the willing was undoubtedly doing a heck of a job in fending off the competition from various common village bands, and the commander-in-chief barely held its members together. Despite all the Freiheit, it is a freudlos performance.

A sloppy, heaartfelt performance from a great occasion.......2005-09-18

This best-selling Beethoven Ninth, with new lyrics for the Schiller poem in the finale, has sold by the millions, I'm sure. The fall of the Berlin wall called for such a grand coming together of musicians form all over Europe, but in musical terms this isn't good Beeethoven. Bernstein wrenches every note to grab as much drama as possible out of it, and there is nothing left of real, unvarnished Beethoven. I owuld only buy this CD as a histroical memento at this late date.

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore

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Furtwangler's Beethoven
Amazing! Outstanding! Essential!
Glorious
Remastering an old recording
Just Get It

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore

Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00001W09Z
Release Date: 2006-01-01

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Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: I. Allegro Con Brio

Amazon.com essential recording

These may be the most gripping performances of Beethoven's symphonies you'll ever hear. No, not necessarily the most enjoyable or even the most accurate, but gripping--to say the least. In these wartime performances of Symphonies Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9, Wilhelm Furtwängler is at his most expressive, angry self. Conducting six of the world's greatest symphonies for audiences in Nazi Germany, Furtwängler has an inner turmoil that seems to shoot straight through his baton. He drives the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics to the edge of disaster, but miraculously they keep up--rising to the occasion. The Eroica and the Ninth are particularly emotion-filled; the latter features the great Bruno Kittel Choir and the BPO in fine form, but they--like everyone else here--are overshadowed by the conductor's bipolar mood swings and furious pacings. Brace yourself. These are shocking, awesome, thought-provoking performances that--thanks to a great remastering--have never sounded better. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Furtwangler's Beethoven.......2007-04-14

This set belongs next to Schnabel's piano sonatas and the Busch's string quartets as one of the great Beethoven sets in recorded history. There certainly is no better monetary value for Furtwangler's Beethoven. The 3rd, 4th, and 9th are especially definitive. Compared to Furtwangler's later performances, these are tighter, more intense, and faster-paced. It is mainly in the 6th and 7th that you miss the warmer Furtwangler of his later recordings.

No. 3 is intense, concentrated, and perfectly proportioned. I differ with some who consider the 12/8/52 to be Furtwangler's greatest 3rd. While the sound of that one is fantastic, to my ear it is just the slightest bit more slack in concentration when compared to the '44. In any case, these are easily the two best recordings of the work available, and they are both essential. Listen to the '52 for beauty of sound and phrases lengthened to their max, but the '44 would still be my desert island 3rd.

No. 4 is simply the greatest performance on record, giving a whole new level of emotional depth to this symphony.

No. 5 is for many Furtwangler's best. It is certainly well-played and perfectly proportioned. There are several Furtwangler recordings of No. 5 that are deserving of attention, and choosing between them is a matter of strong debate. For me, the two that arise above all others are the 5/23/54 and 5/25/47. The '54 is simply astounding. It is a perfect performance in fantastic sound for its time. It really knocks you out of your chair. This is the recording for people who want to know what all the fuss was about Furtwangler's Beethoven. (How on Earth did the man conduct like this just 6 months before his death?) The '47 is also special for its edge-of-your-seat spontanaity. While not as good in sound quality as the '54, it is more fleet and rhythmically free. The rousing coda of the finale has to be heard to be believed - Furtwangler at his most magical. There is also a deleted DG recording two days later in better sound, but not quite as inspired. The '44 is still a great performance, but for me Furtwangler reached greater heights in these two later recordings.

No. 6 is one that perhaps misses some of the warmth of Furtwangler's later recordings. It is still a great one, particularly in the storm, and the playing of the Berlin Philharmonic is magnificent. You really get the sense of the storm slowly subsiding and sunshine peering through the clouds in the final movement. Like the 5th's with which they are paired, the 5/23/54 and 5/25/47 are the performances that show Furtwangler at his best. The '54 is pretty definitive and in great sound.

No. 7 is exciting and dramatic. Though it has much to recommend it (listen to the beautiful tempo fluctuations in the scherzo), I sometimes miss the more patient pacing of Furtwangler's later recordings. The '53 DG recording is probably his best, with excellent tempo transitions and a rousing conclusion to the finale. The sound is also very present and clean for the period. The '50 EMI recording is not far behind.

No. 9 is simply the greatest orchestral recording ever made of anything. Yes, some will say it is too intense, but what else do you want with this symphony? You simply cannot go back to other interpretations after hearing this one. Only the '51 Bayreuth performance comes close. That one is a good alternative for hearing cleaner sound and some strong brass playing. The '54 Lucerne is by far the best-sounding. However, it does not have the same intensity as the other two. By comparison, it almost sounds tired. Of course this is all relative: The '54 Lucerne still puts every other recorded version after Furtwangler in the shade. And then there is also the '37, which is dimly recorded but still exhibiting Furtwangler's unique intensity.

And let us not forget the overtures, particularly the '43 Coriolan. Along with the '42 9th, this is also one of the greatest orchestral recordings ever made. Astounding drama and concentration. Unfortunately, Furtwangler's definitive '47 Egmont on DG is not presently available.

In short, run out and grab this set while also complementing it with a few of Furtwangler's later recordings. My desert island choices for Furtwangler's Beethoven symphonies would be:

3rd: '44 and 12/8/52, 4th: '43, 5th & 6th: 5/25/47 and 5/23/54, 7th: '53, 9th: '42 and '51

Amazing! Outstanding! Essential!.......2007-04-12

This set collects some of the greatest and awesome Beethoven interpretations in world history. Their classical status is unmatched: at the conductor's rostrum, we have Wilhelm Furtwängler at the height of his exceptional understanding of Beethoven's music. The context of the recordings is WWII, mainly in the wartime Germany (of course, Vienna belonged to Germany after the 1938 "Anschluss", but I choose to see Vienna as the capital of Austria). Like some other great artists and intellectuals, Furtwängler decided to stay in Germany during the Second World War. But unlike disgusting opportunists like von Karajan, he never joined the Nazi party - in fact, he even refused to shake Hitler's hand.

Of course, Furtwängler's impeccable moral contributes to his greatness. Just listen to his magnificent ninth, with its humanist message. It's a breathtaking performance that should move everyone to tears.

Here are the recordings dates of the performances in this box:

Symphony 3: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, 19-20 December, 1944.
Symphony 4: Berlin Philharmonic, 27-30 June, 1943.
Symphony 5: Berlin Philharmonic, 27-30 June, 1943.
Symphony 6: Berlin Philharmonic, 20-22 March, 1944.
Symphony 7: Berlin Philharmonic, 31 October-3 November, 1943.
Symphony 9: Berlin Philharmonic, 22-24 March 1942. (Solists are Tilla Briem, Peter Anders, Elisabeth Höngen, and Rudolf Watzke.)

Music & Arts' remasterings (made by Maggi Payne) are very good. Of course, what we have here are old mono, live recordings, so don't expect HiFi quality. But what you can expect are recordings of the century, essential for any music collection.

Strongly and warmly recommended!

Glorious.......2007-02-10

Impossible to put into mere words the effect of these tremendous performances: they are glorious, powerful, sublime. True these are
(excellently remastered) mono recordings of live performances more than 50 years old, so there is some noise and some harmonic distortions also. But the music and the performances completely and thoroughly transcend this, even on the finest audio equipment. Your Beethoven collection is simply not complete unless you have this one, and also the Bayreuther 9th from 1951 (also available on EMI classics). Indeed, once you have these, you may find you don't want to listen to any other cycles of these symphonies that you may have, however fine and technically perfect they may be.

Remastering an old recording.......2007-01-09

If you want to experience how Beethoven was played 40 years ago, then buy this CD set. But beware of sound quality and some technical glitches. In addition, audience noise can be distracting.

Just Get It.......2006-09-22

...even if this is the only CD of Beethoven's Orchestral Works you ever buy.
Even though they are in mono, old, noisy, with pitch variations at places (but still remarkably good transfers), for many of the works here it's safe to say that you have not really heard them unless you have experienced these recordings.
Four of the works (4,5,6,7) are great performances, but there are other great ones out there as well.
However, the recordings of the ninth (BPO Mar'42) and third (VPO Dec'44)symphonies as well as the Coriolan and Leonore III overtures are definitive and unique, and each of them is by itself worth the price of the whole set. The only downside to getting them is that it might become hard to be attentive to most other recordings afterwards.

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven Symphony 9

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From The Australian Mercury

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven Symphony 9

Manufacturer: Music & Arts Programs of America
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00003JAIC
Release Date: 2001-01-01

Customer Reviews:

From The Australian Mercury.......2006-12-27

"Taped at a concert in 1942, this is the great recording of Beethoven's Ninth. The sound is not brilliant but if you have ever heard a more definitive Adagio, please tell me. The metaphysical brilliance of Furtwaengler, one of the most misunderstood great musicians of the 20th century, is evident from the searching opening bars of the first movement."

Toscanini Conducts Beethoven's 3rd & 5th Symphonies

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Toscanini in Highly Intense Performances - Even for Him!
CELEBRATING WAR'S END
Two legendary concert performances!

Toscanini Conducts Beethoven's 3rd & 5th Symphonies
Ludwig van Beethoven , Arturo Toscanini , and New York Philharmonic Orchestra/NBC Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Allegro Con Brio
Marcia Funebre, Adagio Assai
Scherzo, Allegro Vivace
Finale, Allegro Molto
Allegro Con Brio
Andante Con Moto
Allegro
Allegro

Product Description

Symphony No.3 in E-flat--Sept 1, 1945 Symphony No. 5 in C--May 8, 1945 The famous "Victory in Japan and Victory in Europe" performances. Orginally releases in 1992, completely remastered in 2007 by Aaron Z. Snyder with notes by Christopher Syment

Customer Reviews:

Toscanini in Highly Intense Performances - Even for Him!.......2007-06-30

These gripping performances in improved sound give Toscanini's wartime way with the heroic Beethoven symphonies 3 and 5. Here you have a chance to catch something of the genuine visceral impact Toscanini in full flight creates.
Toscanini responded to the ground-breaking nature of these works quite differently than other conductors, turning ever more to a personal confrontation - ala Jacob wrestling with the angel - with the fiercely bound compositional Gordian knots binding the works' drama; away from the work's extroverted and expansive architecture, their effusive and optimistic sentimental lyricism. Although there will always be those who just out and out cannot handle this conductor's drive and passion, I personally find it revelatory, and one of the joys of collecting records. One hears a great artist (Toscanini) struggling with the richness of the music, its extraordinary concentration. Toscanini challenges the listener to follow his vision of these works, arrived at after many decades of performance, and most closely allied to the late quartets. Toscanini the string player here frequently calls to mind the intellectual force of Beethoven's late masterpiece, The Grosse Fugue. Compared to most readings Toscanini's with their inescapable logical impetus seem almost like Black Holes - unswervingly inward-looking, relentless and unflinching in organization.
There is a strong element of the experimentor, a term perhaps more needed in discussions of Toscanini. These performances form part of a life-long recherche: to dismiss such playing as perfunctory or too fast is more than an injustice, it's a blunder.

If you appreciate Toscanini this CD offers some of his most profound and exploratory readings. Buy it before it disappears!

CELEBRATING WAR'S END.......2006-03-27

First, there needs to be a correction: these performances are from 1945 (May 18th for Beethoven's 5th & September 1st for the 3rd), celebrating VE and VJ Day respectively. Both are quite good and reccommended. I am familiar with the 1933 NY Phil. performance of the 5th, and give the edge to that. However, the 1939 broadcast of the 5th and the 1953 broadcast of the 3rd are the finest performances I know of. Kleiber (both father and son) have great propulsion in the first movement of the 5th but don't carry thru the other three. As to the "Eroica", only George Szell comes close (very) to holding you from start to finish.

Two legendary concert performances!.......2005-11-15

The Fifth Symphony was recorded on April 9 1933. The date is extremely important. His febrile temperament looks like the delicate and unstable state of the things in the world. The Italian Master travels constant and eagerly. And despite the genius blossoms, illuminating the score in every one of his musical tours, he is son of his Age and the dark shadows that waggle on the world do not announce limpid horizons. This reading express eloquently this supreme conviction. Beethoven 's personality added with this universal patrimony as the Fifth Symphony represents, has constituted much more than a simple device of artistic expression. The eighty per cent of the mankind still is far to understand the richness and the whole significance of this mythic work. The fierceness and sharp dissonances, the visible contrast between the verticality (fate) and horizontality ( the human will) are confronted over and over, and it is precisely the triumph of the will (in the Greek meaning) what it confers this Symphony its enviable and supreme place.

The Eroica recorded in 1939, remains possibly as my favorite interpretation of all the previous or later versions of the Italian Master. It is loaded of such visceral and mercurial conviction and steeled dignity in the Funeral March; filled with sublime expressiveness and energy that must be included between the supreme versions ever made about this colossal and milestone work.

So there is more than a reason to acquire this invaluable historic document. There must not be any single doubt about it.

Finally I would like to finish with the final statement written by Fürtwangler to a friend in a letter:

"Will it be that Beethoven failed to us, or on the contrary were we who failed to him?"

Otto Klemperer Conducts Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms

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What That Other Guy Said!
Run, don't walk, to get this CD

Otto Klemperer Conducts Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms

Manufacturer: Testament
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005V93M
Release Date: 2002-06-11

Customer Reviews:

What That Other Guy Said!.......2002-07-13

The other reviewer has it exactly right. These are awesome (for once, the adjective is completely appropriate) performances, recorded 'live' and in mono, but sounding completely magnificent. If only we had conductors today who performed Beethoven and Brahms with this kind of conviction! I would quibble with the other reviewer only about making comparisons between these performances of Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart and those Klemperer recorded in the studio for EMI. I think it's really hard to say which is/are better, because they reflect such different musical values. Klemperer's studio recordings present a much more careful layering of performance components; the working parameters available in a studio are simply capable of achieving more nuance than can ever be had working "live." But the corruscating immediacy of musical communication delivered in these Testament CDs is its own justification. And, although there are other "live" Klemperer performances of all the material on these CDs, it is amazing how well the Danish Orchestra responds to a guest conductor who didn't conduct all that often in Copenhagen. The Brahms Fourth is much better played than on a (roughly contemporary) Orfeo transcript of Klemperer working with Munich's famed Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Likewise the "Eroica" .... I've heard "live" Klemperer performances with the Vienna Symphony (Orfeo), the Cologne Radio Symphony (Frequenz) and the Philharmonia (Music and Arts), and none of these compare with the achievement of the Danish Radio Orchestra. Beautiful playing and a wonderfully deep, rich sonority. Not so surprising, I guess, given that this orchestra had been led for years by the great Fritz Busch. Thank you, Testament, for making these performances publicly available. Like the other guy said: Run, don't walk, to get these performances!

Run, don't walk, to get this CD.......2002-06-29

Otto Klemperer conducted two concerts in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the Royal Danish Orchestra, one in 1954 and another in 1957. The surviving recordings of these two concerts are on this CD, and encompass Beethoven's "Lenore 3" overture and Eroica Symphony, Brahms' 4th Symphony, and Mozart's 29th Symphony. Klemperer recorded all of these works in the studio with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the mid-1950's as well. If you know only Klemperer's studio recordings, you will be floored by what you hear on these discs. We begin with a Leonore overture which will nearly peel paint from the ceiling with its intensity and drama; the sforzandi are like sledgehammers, the dynamic range (beautifully captured by the Danish engineers) is enormous, the interpretation and playing are passionate. This is intense, emotional music making, and the rest of the set lives up to the same standards. The tempi are all faster than Klemperer's studio versions, the orchestral attacks are more precise and incisive, the musical lines are all more dramatic. The Brahms 4th makes Klemperer's studio version sound cool and dispassionate; I find it one of the best and most harrowing interpretations of this great piece I've ever heard, even surpassing Eugene Mravinsky's classic interpretation with the Leningrad Philharmonic. Klemperer and Mravinsky, by the way, are two of the few conductors who truly obey Brahms' "Presto" tempo designation in the final movements' coda. The Mozart is energetic and lyrical. The highlight is the 1957 Eroica, a fierce reading in every respect, especially the outer movements. I find the Eroica to be the Beethoven symphony with which Klemperer had the greatest affinity, and this interpretation souds like life-or-death. Klemperer's lyrical passages carress the music and make it sing; the dramatic passages are earth-shaking. There are of course some slips: there are a couple of moments in both the Eroica and the Brahms 4th where it seems Klemperer and the orchestra fall out of synch with each other and lose focus; the slow movements of both symphonies are quite brisk in tempo and occasionally almost harsh. All in all, however, I don't think you will find more committed music-making anywhere else, by any conducter or orchestra. The Danish engineers did a fine job, especially in 1957, and Testament has done a fantastic job of remastering. The sound is spacious and vivid, and in the 1957 recording the equal of the best studio mono of its era. The Danish orchestra plays sometimes with more conviction than polish, but this is a small quibble as they play fervently for Klemperer. As one of its members said afterwords, the orchestra played its best for him and became more than the sum of its parts. Testament includes an informative essay on the Danish orchestra's history and Klemperer's concerts with them, but no information about the pieces themselves. You won't find a better Klemperer Eroica anywhere; even his other live recording of this piece, the 1960 Vienna concert with the Philharmonia, pales by comparison. Highly recommended, even for music lovers who normally don't like Klemperer (find him too slow, too ponderous, etc. -- they will be pleasantly surprised), and essential for any Klemperer aficionado.

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Karajan Conducts Beethoven 7 & 8
Beethoven , Karajan , Vpo , and Concertgebouw Orch
Manufacturer: Classica D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000066TXR
Release Date: 2002-06-04

Tracks:

Leonore Overture III, Op.72a - Concertgebouw Orchestra
Poco Sostenuto-Vivace - Weiner Philharmoniker
Allegretto - Staatskapelle Berlin
Presto - Staatskapelle Berlin
Allegro Con Brio - Staatskapelle Berlin
Allegro Vivace E Con Brio - Weiner Philharmoniker
Allegretto Scherzando - Weiner Philharmoniker
Tempo Di Menuetto - Weiner Philharmoniker
Allegro Vivace - Weiner Philharmoniker

Otto Klemperer Conducts Bach, Mozart, Beethoven

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Otto Klemperer Conducts Bach, Mozart, Beethoven

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000AKPFU
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Tracks:

Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Rehearsal For The Concert At The Philharmonie
Applause
I. Ouverture
II. Air
III. Gavottes 1 & 2
IV. Bourree
V. Gigue

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante
III. Menuetto & Trio
IV. Allegro Con Spirito
Applause
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II. Andante Molto Mosso
III. Allegro
IV. Allegro
IV. Allegretto

Viennese Sommerfest! Slatkin Conducts Suppe, Mozart, Strauss, & Beethoven

Average customer rating:

Viennese Sommerfest! Slatkin Conducts Suppe, Mozart, Strauss, & Beethoven
Minnesota Orchestra , and Leonard Slatkin
Manufacturer: Proarte
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00000E5SE
Release Date: 1993-01-29

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven Symphonies 1, 3, 9

Average customer rating:

must listen to apriciate

Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven Symphonies 1, 3, 9
Beethoven , Furtwangler , Guden , Vpo , and Bpo
Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000086EME
Release Date: 2006-01-01

Tracks:

1. Adagio Molto/Allegro Con Brio - Wilhelm Furtwangler
2. Andante Cantabile Con Moto - Wilhelm Furtwangler
3. Menuetto/Trio. Allegro Molto E Vivace - Wilhelm Furtwangler
4. Adagio/Allegro Molto E Vivace - Wilhelm Furtwangler
1. Allegro Con Brio - Wilhelm Furtwangler
2. Marcia Funebre. Adagio Assai - Wilhelm Furtwangler
3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace - Wilhelm Furtwangler
4. Finale. Allegro Molto - Wilhelm Furtwangler

Tracks:

1. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso - Julius Patzak
2. Molto Vivace - Julius Patzak
3. Adagio Molto E Cantabile/Andante Moderato - Julius Patzak
4. Presto/Allegro Ma Non Troppo/Vivace/Adagio Cantabile/Allegro/Allegro Moderato/Allegro - Julius Patzak
Excerpt From An Interview with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf On Furtwangler - Wilhelm Furtwangler

Customer Reviews:

must listen to apriciate.......2006-05-08

try it for yourself may be the greatest of them all

Wilhelm Furtwängler Conducts Beethoven Symphonies

Average customer rating:

Supernatural perfection

Wilhelm Furtwängler Conducts Beethoven Symphonies

Manufacturer: Music & Arts Program
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001OGQ
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Tracks:

Sym No.3, 'Eroica' Op.55 in E-flat: Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.3, 'Eroica' Op.55 in E-flat: Marcia Funebre (Adagio Assai)
Sym No.3, 'Eroica' Op.55 in E-flat: Scherzo (Allegro Vivace) - Trio
Sym No.3, 'Eroica' Op.55 in E-flat: Finale (Allegro Molto - Poco Andante - Presto)
Leonore No.2 Ov: Leonore No.2 Ov - Wilhelm Furtwangler/Hamburg Phil State Orch

Tracks:

Sym No.5, Op.67 in c: Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.5, Op.67 in c: Andante Con Moto - Piu Mosso
Sym No.5, Op.67 in c: Allegro
Sym No.5, Op.67 in c: Allegro - Presto
Sym No.6 Op.68 in F: Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Awakening Of Serene Impressions On Arising in The...
Sym No.6 Op.68 in F: Andante Molto Mosso (Scene By The Brookside)
Sym No.6 Op.68 in F: Allegro (Jolly Gathering Of Country Folk)
Sym No.6 Op.68 in F: Allegro (The Storm)
Sym No.6 Op.68 in F: Allegretto (Shepherds' Song. Glad And Grateful Feelings After The Storm)

Customer Reviews:

Supernatural perfection.......2005-04-11

I have no hesitation in saying that Furtwangler was the greatest interpreter of Beethoven the world has ever known. His live performances were almost always special, but these are on a plane of inspiration unusual even for him. Especially the Pastoral has a radiant beauty and a sense of spiritual exaltation that I have been unable to find anywhere else. Added to this the sound is incredibly good for the time. Any lover of great music cannot afford to miss this.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Einstein Too

Learning Your Classics: Mozart

Just Gimme One Night

Essential Masters of Jazz: James Brown

Mini LP

Love @ First Sight [CD-single]

Jungle Jazz Joint Jam

Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante For Violin And Viola, K. 364; Schubert: String Quartet D. 956 / Brainin, Schidlof, Pleeth, et al

Irish Songs the Slim Whitman Way/Reminiscing [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Gozo Poderoso

Neverland (Stands for Decibels / Repercussion) [Import]

Maximum Pink [Import]

Music Is Life: Chillin Experience [Limited Edition] [Import]

Seascapes

The Living Road