Beethoven: Egmont overture/Symphony No.9

1. Egmont, incidental music, Op. 84 overture
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Leopold Stokowski , Tony D'Amato

2. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ("Choral") Op. 125
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra with Heather Harper , Donald McIntyre
Conducted by Leopold Stokowski , John Alldis , Tony D'Amato

Beethoven: Egmont overture/Symphony No.9,Donald McIntyre,Ludwig van Beethoven,John Alldis,Leopold Stokowski,Tony D'Amato,London Symphony Orchestra,New Philharmonia Orchestra,Heather Harper,Alexander Young,Polygram Records,Classical,Classical Music,Orchestral,Romantic Incidental Music for Orchestra,Romantic Symphony,Symphonic

Average customer rating: Great for the road Beethoven 25 Favorites 25 Beethoven Favorites bEtHoVeN mAnIaC Great Price...Not so good itself

25 Beethoven Favorites Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Minnesota Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: 25 Mozart Favorites 25 Bach Favorites 25 Tchaikovsky Favorites 25 Vivaldi Favorites 25 Classical Favorites ASIN: B0000058HX Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

1. Egmont Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Piano Sonata No. 21 In C Major - Alfred Brendel
4. Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor - Jerome Rose
5. Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor - Jerome Rose
6. Piano Sonata No. 23 In F Minor - Jerome Rose
7. Symphony No. 6 In F Major - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 7 In A Major - Ludwig Van Beethoven
9. 'The Creatures Of Prometheus' Ballet - Ludwig Van Beethoven
10. Violin Concerto In D Major - Susanne Lautenbacher
11. Sonata For Violin And Piano No. 5 In F Major - Aaron Rosand
12. Piano Trio In B Flat - Mannheimer Trio
13. Fse - Various Artists
14. Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Winds - Abbey Simon
15. 'Chorale Fantasy' In C Minor For Piano, Chorus And Orchestra - Walter Klien
16. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat - Alfred Brendel
17. Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor - Ludwig Van Beethoven
18. Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Major - Alfred Brendel
19. Piano Concerto No. 5 In E Flat - Alfred Brendel
20. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat - Ludwig Van Beethoven
21. 'The Ruins Of Athens,' - Ludwig Van Beethoven
22. 'Corolian,' - Ludwig Van Beethoven
23. Ecossaise For Piano - Alfred Brendel
24. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor - Ludwig Van Beethoven
25. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

Great for the road.......2007-05-11

I found this to be a nice collection of favorites, especially to keep in the car and listen to. It is a variety of well known compilations. Although not encompassing, it is perfect as a review for driving, relaxing, and enjoyment. Plus, the price is right!

Beethoven 25 Favorites.......2006-11-21

Very good! I ordered it especially for Piano Sonata No. 8 Pathetique

25 Beethoven Favorites.......2006-11-05

Good overview of his works----an introduction into his depth as a composer

bEtHoVeN mAnIaC.......2005-11-03

[...] Honestly, it isn't THAT THAT great, but its good enough for its price. I'd say that your $ pays off, for a while. I've noticed how after a long time, it gets aggrivating at times. No harm meant, "Beethoven lover". I just mean don't plunge into this cd with all the hopes in the world. Besides, it's just my opinion, so you may like it more than me. All i can say is; a) listen to some samples before you buy, b)know this is not REALLY the great Beethoven himself, and c) enjoy YOUR music, whatever it may be.

Great Price...Not so good itself.......2005-05-19

This a great priced cd, but the content is why it is so cheap. It's a true-amateur album. Beethoven Lover is over her/his head. This is the real world, not a fantasy-everyone-likes-every-type-of-music world. Deal with it and agree with me. It isn't so great.

Average customer rating: masters of classical music A good basic collection An excellent introduction to classical music Very Beautiful!!!!!1 Still Stuck on Beethoven

Masters of Classical Music (Box Set) Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. 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Tracks:

1. Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
2. Piano Concerto In A Major, K 488: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
3. Flute Concerto In D Major, K 314: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
4. Symphony No. 40 in G minor: Molto allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
5. Clarinet Concerto KV 622: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
6. Serenade, K 375: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
7. Turkish March - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
8. Violin Concerto, K 216: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
9. Divertimento, K 334: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
10. Horn Concerto, K 447: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
11. Cassation, K 99: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Tracks:

1. Overture No. 4 In Major: Rejouissance - J.S.Bach
2. Overture No. 3 In D Major: Air - J.S.Bach
3. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 In F Major: I. Allegro - J.S.Bach
4. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S.Bach
5. Overture No. 2 In B Minor: Menuet & Badinerie - J.S.Bach
6. Prelude In C Major - J.S.Bach
7. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - J.S.Bach
8. Prelude In C Minor - J.S.Bach
9. Overture No. 1 In C Major: Passepied - J.S.Bach
10. Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 In F Major: II. Adagio - J.S.Bach
11. Kommst du nun, Jesu vom Himmel herunter, Chorale - J.S.Bach
12. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major: II. Allegro - J.S.Bach
13. Violin Concerto In E Major: I. Adagio - J.S.Bach
14. St. Matthew Passion: Finale Chorus: 'Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder' - J.S.Bach

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5: Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Fur Elise - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Violin Romance No. 2 - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. 'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Minuet - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 8 In F Major: Allegretto scherzando - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Coriolan: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
9. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor: Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
10. Egmont: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Die Fledermaus: Die Fledermaus (Excerpts) - Johann Strauss
2. Wine, Woman And Song - Johann Strauss
3. Tritsch Tratsch Polka - Johann Strauss
4. The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss
5. The Gypsy Baron: Introduction - Johann Strauss
6. Annen Polka - Johann Strauss
7. Vienna Blood - Johann Strauss
8. The Gypsy Baron: Einzugsmarsch - Johann Strauss

Tracks:

1. Tannhauser: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
2. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Dance Of The Prentices - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
3. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude Act 3 - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
4. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Aufzug der Meistersinger - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
5. Der fliegende Hollander: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
6. Lohengrin: Prelude - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
7. Tristan und Isolde: Prelude And Liebestod - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
8. Tannhauser: Arrival Of The Guests At Wartburg - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1: Allegro non troppo - Peter Tchaikovsky
2. String Serenade: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
3. Violin Concerto: Andante - Peter Tchaikovsky
4. The Sleeping Beauty: Introduction - Peter Tchaikovsky
5. The Sleeping Beauty: Pas d'action - Adagio - Peter Tchaikovsky
6. The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
7. Capriccio italien Op. 45 - Peter Tchaikovsky
8. Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Scene No. 10 - Peter Tchaikovsky
9. Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
10. Eugene Onegin: Polonaise - Peter Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

1. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major: Spring - VIVALDI, Antonio
2. Siciliano - VIVALDI, Antonio
3. Concerto In D Minor:: (Allegro Assai) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
4. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 2 In G Minor: Summer - VIVALDI, Antonio
5. Oboe Sonata In B Flat Major, RV 34: Adagio - Allegro - Largo - Allegro - VIVALDI, Antonio
6. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 3 In F Major: Autumn - VIVALDI, Antonio
7. Oboe Concerto: Allegro non tasto - Largo - Allegro non molto - VIVALDI, Antonio
8. Concerto In D Minor: (Largo e spiccato) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
9. The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 4 In F Minor: Winter - VIVALDI, Antonio

Tracks:

1. Scherzo No 1 In B Minor, Op. 20 - Frederic Chopin_
2. Three Nocturnes, Op. 9: No 3 In B Major - Frederic Chopin_
3. Twelve Etudes, Op. 10: No 5 In G Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
4. Twelve Etudes, Op. 25: No 10 In B Minor - Frederic Chopin_
5. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 13 In F Sharp Major - Frederic Chopin_
6. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 14 In E Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
7. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 In D Flat Major 'Raindrops' - Frederic Chopin_
8. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 16 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
9. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 17 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
10. 24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 18 In F Minor - Frederic Chopin_
11. Scherzo No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 31 - Frederic Chopin_
12. Waltz In E Flat Major, Op. 18 - Frederic Chopin_
13. Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth. - Frederic Chopin_
14. Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 3 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
15. Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 4 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
2. Impromptu In E Flat Major - Franz Schubert
3. Standchen - Franz Schubert
4. Trout Quintet: Tema con variazioni - Franz Schubert
5. 'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 1 - Franz Schubert
6. Moment Musical In A Flat Major - Franz Schubert
7. 'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 2 - Franz Schubert
8. Moment Musical No. 3 In F Minor - Franz Schubert
9. 'Rosamunde': Ballet Music No.2 - Franz Schubert
10. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato - Franz Schubert

Tracks:

1. Nabucco: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
2. Nabucco: Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate - Verdi, Giuseppe
3. Aida: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
4. II Trovatore: Verdi! le fosche notturne (Gypsies' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
5. II Trovatore: Or co' daddi, ma fra poco (Soldiers' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
6. Aroldo: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
7. La Traviata: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
8. La Traviata: Noi siamo zingarelle - Verdi, Giuseppe
9. La Traviata:: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Verdi, Giuseppe
10. La Traviata: Di Madride noi siam mattadori - Verdi, Giuseppe
11. La forza del destino: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe

Customer Reviews:

masters of classical music.......2007-03-26

A nice collection for the classical listener. Great variety of composers and the music quality of the cds are very good.

A good basic collection.......2006-11-10

With selections from numerous composers, it is an easy way to familiarize oneself with some of the most popular classical works and excerpts. A pleasant listen for the initiated too.

An excellent introduction to classical music.......2006-10-18

This is an excellent introduction to classical music. Well performed and presented.

Very Beautiful!!!!!1.......2006-10-05

If you are a fan of classical music then you better get this set. Not only is it very cheap, 10 Discs for about 2$ per disk. Now where are you gonna find a deal like this. I actually found mine chaper, $20.00 even and the music is outstanding. If you had a very bad day and very stressed out, just put in one of these cds, lay down, dim down the lights and just relax. It really helped me out.

Still Stuck on Beethoven.......2006-08-22

I just recently started listening to classical music so I'm certainly not one to compare or critique the quality of this set. However, I do have a few comments...

My interest started in this genre of music because I'm researching my ancestry in Prussia and this is the music of those times. Never mind my ancestors were poor peasants who probably never got the chance to hear such wonderful music... when listening to these CDs, I'm taken back in time... to a royal court in Europe... to another place in time. The music is inspiring, relaxing, invigorating.

I have yet to listen to all the CD's in the set. I'm stuck on Beethoven! Wasn't he AWESOME!?!

I think this set is a wonderful introduction to classical music!!!!!

Average customer rating: DON'T HESITATE TO BUY THIS CD

Beethoven: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Sonatas | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | 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: Bach: Greatest Hits Chopin: Greatest Hits Schubert: Greatest Hits Greatest Hits HANDEL ~ Water Music, Largo, etc.. Mendelssohn: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000002A1D Release Date: 1994-08-09

Tracks:

1. Symphony No.5 In C Minor, Op. 67: l. Allegro con brio
2. Minuet in G Major, WoO 10, No.2
3. Fur Elise (Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59)
4. Sonata For Piano In C-sharp Minor, No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 'Moonlight': l. Adagio sostenuto
5. The Ruins of Athens, Op.113, No.4: Turkish March
6. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': l. Allegro ma non troppo
7. Egmont Overture, Op. 84
8. Symphony No.3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': lll. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio
9. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.5 In E-flat Major 'Emperor': lll. Rondo. Allegro
10. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Presto-Rezitativo 'O Freunde, nicht diese Tone' - Allegro assai (Excerpt)

Customer Reviews:

DON'T HESITATE TO BUY THIS CD.......2001-12-28

What can I say other than this is a great CD. Beethoven was a master and his music will live forever. Altough I don't like every single symphony he composed, I love all the pieces on this album. These selections have "fire and passion," and I listen to them over and over again. Enjoy!!

Average customer rating: Excellent sample Some of the Best Storms Wonderful selections Great intro to Beethoven

Essential Beethoven Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Essential Mozart: 32 Of His Greatest Masterpieces Essential Bach Essential Tchaikovsky Essential Vivaldi: 20 Greatest Masterpieces Essential Rachmaninov ASIN: B00005KBJQ Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

1. Sym No.5 in c, Op.67: I. Allegro Con Brio - Concertgebouw Orch/Bernard Haitink
2. Sym No.7 in A, Op.92: II. Allegretto - LSO/Antal Dorati
3. Romance No.2 in F, Op.50 - Arthur Grumiaux
4. Pno Son No.14 'Moonlight' in c#, Op.27 No.2: I. Adagio Sostenuto - Vladimir Ashkenazy
5. Fur Elise (Bagatelle in a, WoO 59) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
6. Pno Son No,17 in d, Op.31 No.2: III. Allegretto - Stephen Kovacevich
7. Spt in E flat, Op.20: V. Scherzo: Allegro Molto E Vivace - Members Of The Berlin Phil Octet
8. Pno Con No.3 in c, Op.37: II. Largo - Alfred Brendel
9. Sym No.8 in F, Op.93: IV. Allegro Vivace - Chicago SO/Sir Georg Solti
10. Ov 'Egmont', Op.84 - VPO/George Szell
11. Vn Con in D, Op.61: III. Rondo: Allegro - New Philharmonia Orch/Alceo Galliera

Tracks:

1. Pno Con No.5 'Emperor' in E flat, Op.73: II. Adagio Un Poco Mosso - Vladimir Ashkenazy
2. Sym No.6 'Pastoral' in F, Op.68: V. Allegretto: Shepherd's Song. Happy And Thankful Feelings... - Staatskapelle Dresden/Colin Davis
3. Pno Con No.2 in B flat, Op.19: III. Rondo: Molto Allegro - Radu Lupu
4. Pno Son No.8 'Pathetique' in c, Op.13: II. Adagio Cantabile - Vladimir Ashkenazy
5. Str Qt in B flat, Op.130: V. Cavatina: Adagio Molto Espressivo - Qt Italiano
6. Bagatelle, Op.126 No.6 - Alfred Brendel
7. Vn Son No.5 in F, Op.24: IV. Rondo: Allegro Ma Non Troppo 'Spring' - Itzhak Perlman/Vladimir Ashkenazy
8. Minuet No.11, WoO 7 - ASMF/Neville Marriner
9. Pno Son No.14 'Moonlight' in c#, Op.27 No.2: III. Presto Agitato - Vladimir Ashkenazy
10. In Questa Tomba Oscura, WoO 133 - Luciano Pavarotti
11. Mir Ist So Wunderbar - Hildegard Behrens/Sona Ghazarian/David Kuebler/Hans Sotin
12. Oh Welche Lust (Prisoner's Chor) - Robert Johnson/Philip Kraus/Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
13. Sym No.9 in d, Op.125: Chor Finale (Excerpt) - Joan Sutherlan/Marilyn Horne/James King/Martti Talvela/Wiener Staatsopernchor

Customer Reviews:

Excellent sample.......2005-10-25

This two disc set is a good sampler of Beethoven; I had forgotten how inspiring his work could be. This set has motivated me to order all three of the Deutch Grammaphone two disc which together include all 9 of Beethoven's symphonies.

Some of the Best.......2005-09-11

Some of these songs are the best that I've heard. I also enjoy the fact that this album provides the ENTIRE movement or selection, unlike some of the other albums that I've heard that only play for a little bit of the song. One example is Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major Second Movement, this movement is one of my favorites to begin with and hearing it so smoothly and masterfully recorded made my heart sing the first time I heard this all the way to end (the other recordings usually stop after the major key shift after the first theme). Also the Egmont Overture is one of the best full versions that I've had the pleasure of enjoying performed this well. The Moonlight Sonata First Movement I found to be nice, but there are better versions out there. For those people just looking for a nice collection of Beethoven songs that are well recorded and well performed, I stronly suggest that you purchase this album.

Storms.......2005-03-09

Classical music compilations are extremely difficult to review. You are always fighting with someone else's opinion of what is "Best of" material. And why should we buy selections when we could buy the entire pieces and hear them played as the composers intended?

A quick answer would be simple: we simply cannot afford to purchase every single piece by every single composer we love. And if the buyer is familiar with the music, he or she would perhaps only want the famous selections everyone knows. In my case, I am particularly picky with recordings and don't have the time to meddle with libraries or going to stores that offer listening stations. Recordings vary greatly and so does playing ability. So why did I go with Essential Beethoven?

It is released with Decca, one of the finest classical music companies out there. You are guaranteed no gimmick or inexpensively recorded tracks on this compilation. Essential B. also has a wider selection than other compilations I looked at. For once, there isn't a movement to be found from the Fifth Symphony. If that's all you want to buy, look elsewhere. Essential B. has pieces I was not familiar with, so here I am listening to it.

Regrettably, there are three distinct issues with this recording, and I want to get them out of the way. 1. Für Elise is atrociously boring to listen to. As a pianist, it is fun to play and almost required learning for the beginner. It should've been dropped. 2. Piano Concerto No. 5 is missing the third movement. It is common to drop the first movement here, but the second and third movements are programmatically tied, providing some of the most emotionally charged music ever put down on lined paper. Also, this rendition of the concerto is less than inspiring and I regret that it is the famous Ashkenazy playing this version. There is almost no life in the playing. 3. The remastering could've been better. The listener will enjoy the loud and boisterous pieces, but the quieter parts, and even the soft piano solos, will have him straining his ears to the point of exasperation. Because of this, I recommend listening on headphones or in a place where you can turn the volume up a little more than usual.

That aside, the rest of the tracks are well recorded, extremely well played, and varied enough to quench even the most learned ears. Decca has included pieces conducted by Sir Georg Solti, one of the greatest conducters in my opinion. (Another "collection" solely conducted by Solti is the "Immortal Beloved" soundtrack.) The orchestral pieces are lush and the range is dynamic. (A little too dynamic, like I stated above, in some areas.) The inclusion of movement IV from Symphony no. 8 pleases me, as I feel this is the least appreciated symphony, overshadowed by Symphony no. 9

The piano pieces are some of the best renditions I've heard. I own all of Ashkenazy's sonatas, so it was nice to hear a movement from "The Tempest" played by Stephen Kovacevich, who plays with fierce determination. Selections from B's piano concertos are fantastic and have prompted me to delve further into listening to more concertos from him. The Rondo from Piano Concerto No. 2, played by Radu Lupu, is one of the most upbeat and wonderfully played pieces here.

To round things off nicely is a movement from the Violin Sonata No. 5, played by the one and only Itzhak Perlman! The piano is caressed by Mr. Ashkenazy himself, and he does so lovingly. You will also find pieces from a string quartet, a violin Romance (and orchestra), and one overture: the "Egmont." I'm not a huge fan of this rendition either, but that's probably because I've heard the Egmont a thousand times.

A huge bonus with this collection are the three choral selections at the end, two of which are from "Fidelio," an opera I've yet to hear in its entirety. The Prisoners' Chorus is beautiful. The introduction sounds very much like a major contribution to Charles Ives's 1906 piece "The Unanswered Question." The compilation ends with Symphony No. 9's finale, but unfortunately, it is a horribly edited excerpt, and mixed extremely hot. I have to turn my volume down everytime this comes on.

I would like to make a little note about the art design, however. Credit here is given to Mark Millington, who did a fine job blending black & white photos of storm clouds, an inspiring sculpture, and blackletter-styled fonts. The CDs themselves are a contrasting bright orange. As a sucker for marketing, I would've plunked money down for this compilation just for the art!

Wonderful selections.......2003-11-08

My kids and I have really enjoyed this CD. This is a great collection of music with high quality performances.

Great intro to Beethoven.......2003-04-05

Great intro to beethoven. There are many great performances by Ashkenazy, Academy of Saint Martin in the fields, Concertgetbouw Orchestra and many other exceptional artists. I would recommend this disc as it contains the masterpieces of beethoven, even though not all of them.

Average customer rating: Mostly good Look at the List of Performers First this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! Buy my box Set!

Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLHE Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Mostly good.......2007-05-26

A bit of a mixed bag. The symphonies are superb. This is one of the great symphony cycles. The piano sonatas are good, very good (analog) sound. The quartets are well recorded indeed, but there are better cycles out there. The rest is OK, and the sound is genrally good.

Look at the List of Performers First.......2006-11-17

If you want most of Beethoven sitting on one bookshelf, this is a great bargain (especially if you shop for it on amazon.de). But few if any of the performances represent the pinnacles of interpretation that most listeners demand when Beethoven is the composer. The symphonies for instance: can Blomstedt be compared to Furtwangler or (if you lean toward historically informed instrumentation) Gardiner? Most amazingly, the artists who perform the quartets -- the heart of Beethoven's music -- are not even named in the listing.
On the other hand: Vivaldi: The Masterworks is a collection including the very best interpreters, such as Fabio Biondi! Bach Edition (complete Bach) is a fabulous selection of recordings made over 20 years, and almost the same praise can be given the Complete Mozart.

this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France.......2006-05-28

there are several sets in this series and it's much cheaper to buy these from Amazon France.

included are bach, beethoven, vivaldi, brahms, dvorak, schubert, handel, hayden, and mendelssohn.

they're even cheaper than the list price once u go through the checkout (VAT is removed for overseas (out-of-france) purchases).

**also, the 'complete works of mozart' set is much cheaper there (or at Amazon Germany), too. the 'complete works of bach' is due out later this year.

You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! .......2006-04-07

There is quality beyond the Austrian green cardboard (which is lovely to look at, to say the least). In fact, the performance of the symphonies (Dresden Staatskapelle and Herbert Blomstedt) is alone worth the price. The Staatskapelle is a solid group, and Blomstedt, although less wellknown, holds his own. It should be mentioned that Blomstedt recorded many of the most celebrated 20th composition CDs on the market, and definitely knows his stuff. Peter Wohlert recorded mostly for compiliation lables, but to be selected by the Berlin Phil shows that he is a formdiable conductor in rank as well.

Should you buy this collection then? Given the fact that each CD cost $1.75, there is definitely the bargin factor. However, Beethoven's music desveres the top interpreters and musicians of our time - and this applies for all of his music, not just the symphonic. If you are into bargins, then proceed to buy this collection. However, if you save up a bit more, you can buy Karajan's 1963 Beethovens symphonies along with Kempff's 1956 sonata cycles for just a bit more than 70 bucks. Shop around for the string quartets, and the complete overtures should range anywhere from 15 to 30 bucks depending on the conductor/ensemble.

Overall, this is certainly an exceptional bargin. However, quality matter more than money. Besides, chicks dig people with sophisticated tastes.

Buy my box Set!.......2006-03-21

Awesome deal, 40 CD box set of me, Beethoven! There are 3 principle reasons you should buy this box set:

This box is QUALITY my friend, made of the finest, Austrian cardboard with a lovely green finish, it is made to last! You can just set it on your dresser and whenever you need a Beethoven fix you can just pull a CD out. But don't you hate getting your CDs out of order so you can't find what the hell you're looking for?! Not with this set! They are well organized into symphonies, concerti, sonatas and such, so you can find EXACTLY what your looking for, and they have big numbers on them so you can put them right back where they belong.

And the music! Need we go into this, composed through the inspiration of God himself and penned by the greatest composer who ever walked the streets of Vienna, me, Beethoven! Top notch, all done by top performers and recorded at high, clear, digital quality, stick one in your stereo and rock out man! All of my great and mighty works are here, absolutely sublime!

Lastly, you'll be supporting me, I need those royalty checks to keep rolling in!

Buy it if you love me or just buy it if you want people to think that you're sophisticated (the chicks also dig it, I should know: Antonie Brentano, giggity!), you can't go wrong!

Average customer rating: Greatest Ninth Ever? Well, Is It? Totally run of the mill Beethoven This Recording & One Other are BEST TWO for Egmont Overture A stalwart, not very memorable Ninth--not one of the greats Excellent sound and performance

Beethoven: Symphony No.9 'choral', 'egmont' Overture Fricsay , and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Symphony no 9 / Furtwangler, Schwarzkopf Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 "Pastorale" ASIN: B000056TKC Release Date: 2001-01-02

Tracks:

1. Egmont Overture Op.84
2. Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso
3. Molto Vivace
4. Adagio Molto E Cantabile
5. Presto
6. Presto -O Freunde, Nicht Diese Tone !-Allegro Assai

Album Details

This is Simply One of the Greatest, Most Deservedly Legendary Recordings of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony Ever Offered to the Public. Tempos and Dynamics Vary Widely, with Fricsay Always Considerate of the Works Many Thematic Challenges. His Handling of the Subtle Rhythmic Gradations of the Molto Vivace is Peerless and Prepare Yourself for One of the Most Exhilarating Allegro Assai Finales this Side of Toscanini. With a Line Up of Soloists Including Irmgard Seefried, Maureen Forrester, Ernst Haefliger, and Dietrich Fischer-dieskau all in their Vocal Prime as Well, it Simply Doesn't Get Any Better Than This. Deutsche Grammophon's Rich Well-balanced Sound is Very Good for It's Vintage. No Matter How Many Performances of this Frequently Recorded Masterpiece You May Already Own, Don't Miss Fricsay's!

Customer Reviews:

Greatest Ninth Ever? Well, Is It?.......2007-07-10

I've read about it for years; so many people saying it's the greatest ever, but I always said: "Ach, I already have too many Beethoven Ninths". Well, I finally broke down and bought it.

Some random thoughts and things that caught my ear to which I found singular to this performance/recording:

-First off, the recording is fine remastered late-'50s stereo, but cannot be mistaken for modern digital. Strings and highs might seem a bit steely, but that didn't bother me. All orchestral sections are vividly portrayed. Fortissimos are crisp and distinct, pianissimos well-distinguishable. Recording perspective puts one on the podium with what sounds like a multi-mike arrangement; i.e., typical Deutsche Grammophon. However, the winds, brass, and tympani are treated as equals to the strings, unlike later with Karajan.

-The first movement pianissimo string tremolos are barely audible beneath that marvelous opening motif, as well as later when repeated. I'm used to hearing the tremolos more pronounced and would probably prefer it that way.

-The first movement builds and ebbs with great aplomb and the crescendos culminate with tympani blazing in the same fashion as Furtwängler/'42, though not quite as overwhelming as to drown the proceedings and rock the foundations, but you definitely know the tympani are there!

-The scherzo second movement offers a tempo which I'd describe as conventional, certainly slower that Karajan and perhaps faster than Böhm/'72. No problems there.

-I had never heard the cellos as pronounced in the second movement as on this recording. Loved it!

-The adagio third movement is beautifully and slowly rendered; the notes say 18:00. It's not nearly as expansive as Furtwängler/'42's 20:00, but certainly just as rapturous with instrumental details aplenty! Böhm/'72 took it faster, but not as memorably or affectedly. In Fricsay's third movement, the soft pizzicato strings are distinct and the sudden bursts of brass cut right to the soul. This movement is often problematic for me, but not here. Beautiful!

-The dissonant beginning of the fourth movement sounds kind of wimpy, as if a chunk of the orchestration was excised. In fact, it's probably as wimpy as I ever remember hearing it in a non-HIP recording. No big deal, however.

-The beginning of the "O freude, nicht diese Töne" is very powerful. The soloists are definitely highlighted, up-front, and "in your face" -- they are the stars of this show! The chorus is appropriately recessed, but recorded with powerful presence. It seems as if the chorus moved slightly forward in the sound picture as the movement progressed, then receded slightly again behind the soloists. No complaints here; it was so subtle that it might be a product of Fricsay's balancing from the podium and not engineering derring-do. The orchestra did seem to vie with the chorus for prominence, but so what, right?

-The soloists are so distinct that one can hear many fine individual flourishes in their ensemble singing -- loved it!

-The tempo of the choral movement shifts from foursquare forward, to almost a dead stop, then ignites again, driving to a coda that's brought home powerfully and convincingly. Everything is beautifully under control and not hell-bent-for-leather, so to speak.

My favorites over the years have been:
Schmidt-Isserstedt/Vienna Phil./London (Outstanding soloists!)
Böhm ('72)/Vienna Phil./DG (A magnificent, high calorie performance and grand sense of occasion!)
Karajan ('77)/Berlin Phil./DG (Better recording than his '63, but near equally great performance!)
Leibowitz/Royal Phil./Chesky (They put the "JOY" into Ode To Joy!)

Sure, I can add Fricsay to the list. I was never "overly" enamored with Szell, Toscanini, Wand, Muti, Klemperer, Bernstein, Dohnányi, Norrington, Goodman, and a few others, though they're all seemingly well-regarded by some and certainly have their fine points. I've yet to hear Reiner's or Solti's recordings, both with the Chicago Symphony and both with their fervent fans. Nor have I heard the renown Gardiner, Abbado, and Barenboim. I don't have to hear the Zinman/Tonhalle, not after hearing samples.

I've also yet to hear Furtwängler's famous '51 live performance at the post-war re-opening of the Bayreuth Festival which some people simply swear by. I tend to take event-driven hyberbole with a grain of salt, especially after hearing Bernstein's "Fall of the Wall" recording. Furtwängler's equally famous and harrowing '42 wartime recording simply must be placed in a special category on account of its comparatively wretched sound quality, if for no other reason than for the benefit of novice listeners. However, I would also join those who suggest it's a performance that thoroughly demands to be heard.

The Fricsay is certainly a great recorded performance of the Ninth. The greatest ever? Hell, I don't know! I would definitely say it's worth the purchase. Whether it's worth the import price, however, is up to the individual. I purchased mine used for about $10 plus S&H.

I should probably also mention that the CD opens with one of the most expansive performances of the Egmont Overture I've ever heard.

Totally run of the mill Beethoven.......2007-06-26

After reading the incredibly positive reviews here I rushed to get this recording. What did I find? Absolutely run of mill, very good, but nothing special Beethoven! The recording quality is fantastic and this is a great first recording for someone unfamiliar with Beethoven's Ninth along with the other run of the mill, moderate, good recordings such as George Szell and Cleveland, Fritz Reiner and Chicago, or a number of others. Dont' get me wrong, I cherish these recordings but they're.....well....medium. I prefer big, emotional, subjective interpretations (objectivity, even if it were possible, which it isn't, isn't desirable. It takes the humanity out of the most human of the arts: music!). The greatest conductor of Beethoven or any other composer, is, of course, without a doubt Wilhelm Furtwangler. The worst are all these so-called "historical" robots who don't make music but rather try to re-create elderly performances of music like Gardiner, Norrington, and, to a lesser degree Harnoncourt. Toscanini too but he always tried to re-create HIS old performances!! Karajan has the distintion of being the worst conductor of all time because he was totally un-musical. His performances were all bland beauty with no Truth, no emotion, no humanity, no nothing. Beauty last five minutes, dazzling technique last ten, Truth lasts forever. Of course, it's also subjective so Truth is different depending on your perspective. How confusing is that? Oh well. Furtwangler is the best. Start with the 1951 Bayreuth performance, then the WWII and 1954 Lucerne performances. Leonard Bernstein, and Bruno Walter are also great! Fricsay was a dictator to orchestras and I'm surprised how alike he is to the other dictators Szell, Reiner, etc. A little too firm and controlled, music should never be controlled!! It should grow and bloom naturally from the composer through the mind and soul of the conductor and orchestra to US!!! If you're new to Beethoven get Fricsay, then graduate to the others. Enjoy the music!!

This Recording & One Other are BEST TWO for Egmont Overture.......2007-01-30

Yes, I will speak only about the Egmont overture.

I have listened closely to at least six others. This recording shares the top prize with one other ("#1 Beethoven Album" by DECCA). Don't let the 1958 date scare you! The sound quality is amazing -- not "for 1958", just amazing period. The sound quality blows away all the other recordings. The strings are not far away and distant. The sound is not thin. The brass doesn't blare obnoxiuously and out-of-control and hurt your ears. But the brass is nuanced and close -- just like the strings. Nuance abounds -- in EVERY instrument. Balance is superb. Timbre is superb. Now for the musical interpretation...

Musically, Fricsay did absolute wonders. There is profundity in EVERY PHRASE of the Egmont. Whereas others give the feeling of "let's do this phrase so we can then get to the good stuff", Fricsay shows you how it is ALL good stuff. It is all profound. Every phrase of Egmont has profundity! You didn't know that with other recordings; you do here (and hear). Fricsay also shows that there are contrasts in kinds of profundity. So the Egmont has more differentiation of mood that others give it. Sure some think there is only trivial stuff and the good stuff, but even my 2nd favorite recording (below) keeps only a single mood. Not so Fricsay. His masterful recording cannot be surpassed: profundity abounds, contrasts in KINDS OF profundity are abundant, musicianship is impeccable. Yes, Fricsay is slow. But do not let that scare you! The profundity and nuance and musicianship guarantee that slow is not boring! And remember: the sound quality is stupendous! Really!! The "original bitmap... blah blah blah" is not some marketing hype at all. All classical on CD should sound at least close to this good.

If you must have a less slow-paced recording, your best choice is "#1 Beethoven Album" by DECCA. (A second choice is Beethoven: Complete incidental music to Egmont, Op.84, and The Ruins of Athens, Op.113 whose liner notes are the best to be found anywhere. The Egmont & Ruins recording does not trivialize any of Egmont overture, but the profudity is of one type and does not show mood contrasts.)

What NOT to get: do NOT get Karajan. Slow without any profundity. Seems rather foolish really. Bad distant thin sound quality too.

Do NOT get: Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Conductor: Kurt Masur
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic Audio CD (February 19, 2002) Label: Teldec ASIN: B00005MO9N. Atocious!!! Thin, distant, overly BBLLAARREE when brass comes in, zilch for profundity; perfunctory is more like it. This recording is absolutely atrocious despite the NY Philharmonic on PBS in 2006 being outstandingly good. This CD was actually recorded in 1992, by the way.

Do NOT get: Daniel Harding, and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie The Egmont is too light-weight here. Delicacy does not befit Beethoven or Egmont. But the last two minutes (of the 7½) is rather nice. There is one incredibly nifty thing here, so if you must hear it for yourself get this CD for this reason: you will never in your life hear a sforzando like Harding makes his violinists do. It's like an athletic feat or shooting billiards or something: How lightly can you bow the string and still make it make a sound immediately after having really wacked the bleep out of the string on the same note? ZZZZZZZZHHHHHHHUUUMMMM m (the last lower case 'm' is meant to be a note played ultra-mega pianissimo a millisecond or two after wacking the string for ZZZZZZHHHHHHMMMMM). This contrast doesn't hurt your ears, but it is just so immensely exaggerated that it becomes an [athletic?] effect rather than music. Cool, but not serving Egmont because of its over-done-ness being a distraction.

You want the most magnificent Egmont, the most respectful Egmont, the biggest Egmont, the most profound Egmont, the most moodful Egmont, the best sound quality in Classical recording? Get the FRICSAY recording. Or, for a very very close second at not such a very slow pace as FRICSAY, get the "#1 Beethoven Album" by DECCA. That Egmont is probably optimal paced with good profundity and variation in mood -- and good sound quality too.

A stalwart, not very memorable Ninth--not one of the greats.......2006-09-27

I chose the words "stalwart" and "not very memorable" as a quote from The Gramopone review of this 1957 Beethoven Ninth under Fricsay. I admire him and own a dozen recordings of his, but d I can't understand the rapture his Ninth has prompted here, goodd as it is. The first movement is rather foursquare and stoic. Fricsay's forward-moving tempo carries us along, yet mystery and depth are both lacking.

The Scherzo is brisk and lively, as one would expect from this always alert musician. At 18 min., the Adagio is taken broadly, in the traditional mode. The Berlin Phil. hadn't yet been fully developed by Karajan, its new conductor, so we don't get the polish and depth of his Ninth, to be recorded five years later. But Fricsay has a lovely, gentle way with the melodic line--he was never one to stretch for profundities. The great climax lacks something in intensity, however.

The finale begins with a fairly tame outburst, not the wild discordancy one expects, then the famous tune is beautifully shaped. At the start of the vocal part, Fischer-Dieskau, a baritone, is not the sonorous bass that Beethoven calls for, but his artistry makes up for that. In fact, the whole vocal quartet is highly energized, which helps to make the finale the most vital movement. Suddenly we get a surge of energy, and the excellent St. Hedwig's choir is up to the task. Last impressions are important, and the vibrancy of Fricsay's finale arouses one's ethusiasm.

But one of the great Beethoven Ninths? I can't agree.

Excellent sound and performance.......2006-03-26

A wonderful recording! As regards the technical issues I think it equals the best of recordings. The sound is intense, dynamic, you really hear the symphonic sound - the different characters of the instruments. Musically is it intense, architectural, titanic in strength and power. Build up from the misty chords opening the symphony to the concluding manic happiness, hope and joy in the last movement. Conductor Fricsay really created music created by the great Beethoven. Fischer-Dieskau is fantastic in his opening of the vocal part in the last movement. The only complain I can have is the bit strained voice of Irmgard Seefried on certain top-notes. - This is a VERY great recording!

Average customer rating: The Best Beethoven Symphonies Recording I've Ever Heard Solti's Beethoven is mainly for his fans. big shouldered beethoven from the city of big shoulders... Solti's Great Beethoven- an essential! The benchmark recordings for the Beethoven nine !

Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies Manufacturer: Decca 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 Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Solti, Sir Georg | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos Beethoven: Nine Symphonies Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos Beethoven: The Piano Concertos Mozart: 46 Symphonies - Berlin Philharmonic / Karl Böhm ASIN: B0000041XV Release Date: 1990-09-11

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: I Adagio molto - Allegro con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: II Andante cantabile con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: III Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: IV Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: I Adagio molto - Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: II Larghetto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: III Scherzo: Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: V Allegro molto - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': I Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': II Marcia funebre: Adagio assai - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': III Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': IV Finale: Allegro molto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Overture 'Egmont', op. 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: I Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: II Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: III Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: IV Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: I Adagio - Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: II Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: III Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: IV Allegro ma non troppo - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': I Allegro ma non troppo - Awakening Of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival In The Country - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': II Andante molto mosso - By The Brook - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': III Allegro - Peasants' Merrymaking - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': IV Allegro - Thunderstorm - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': V Allegretto - Shepherd's Song. Happy And Thankful Feelings After The Storm - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Overture 'Leonore' No. 3, Op. 72a - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: I Poco sostenuto - Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: II Allegretto - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: III Presto - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: IV Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: I Allegro vivace e con brio - L.V. Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: II Allegretto scherzando - L.V. Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: III Tempo di menuetto - L.V. Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: IV Allegro vivace - L.V. Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: I Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: II Molto vivace - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: III Adagio molto e cantabile - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: IV Presto - Allegro assai - Andante maestoso - Allegro energico, sempre ben marcato - L.V. Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

The Best Beethoven Symphonies Recording I've Ever Heard.......2007-06-20

This is absolutely a gorgeous recording. It is uplifting and some of the softer sections of the 9th Symphony are so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes.

The Karajan Beethoven Symphonies of 1963 which many rave over is a casualty of not transferring from analog to digital well. Though Karajan's interpretation is wonderful, it is overpowering to the point of speaker overload in the stronger parts and too weak in the softer parts which is typical of old live analog orchestra recordings transferring to digital.

I think Sir Georg was the last of the conductors of his time and style, which is very sad. There will never be a kind like him or Karajan again.

Solti's Beethoven is mainly for his fans........2007-04-22

Although there are some great moments in Sir Georg Solti's last Beethoven Symphony cycle, recorded 1986-89, there are generally better recordings available.

First of all, Sir Georg's tempos in Symphony I: IV and Symphony 2: IV are break-neck, and almost reckless, so much so the Chicago players have trouble staying together!

The recording job throughout is acceptable, but the orchestra does not sound that realistic or immediate, and Decca's usually rich bass and midrange don't come through as in many other Solti recordings. The record level is low, and one has to boost the volume quite alot to get any sense of presence.

I don't think as highly of this set as some listeners might, as I have other recordings of Beethoven I turn to more often: Karl Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG, rec. 1970-72) especially for Symphonies 2,3,4,5,6, and 8; Bernstein/Vienna Philharmonic (DG, rec. 1977-9); Szell/Cleveland (Sony Essential classics, rec. 1959-68) for Symphonies 1,3,4,and 9;
Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic (DG, either the 1961-2 or 1975-77 cycle, both available as complete sets); Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony (Sony: Symphonies 2,3,4,6, and 8); Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra (Sony: Symphonies 5,6 and 8 - may be hard to find in April, 2007) or even Solti/Chicago Symphony in an earlier analog cycle (London, rec. 1972-74) which has sound with better presence: more defined bass, than this recording. Those who are Chicago Symphony fans and MUST have one of their recordings could seek out any of the Fritz Reiner/Chicago Beethovens: Symphonies 1,3,5,6,7 and 9 are still available (RCA).

In light of the competition, I'd pass on this one.

If you like Solti/Chicago, consider their recordings of the Brahms Symphonies (London, 4 CD set). And for SOLTI fans, he recorded the Beethoven Symphonies 3, 5 and 7 with the Vienna Philharmonic (Decca, 1958), a recording I have not heard, but have read is very good, better than either of Solti's Chicago Beethoven Symphony recordings.

big shouldered beethoven from the city of big shoulders..........2006-08-06

This is a broad, powerful, heavy-duty Beethoven symphony cycle, free of idiosyncracy, that can stand as a benchmark to measure against more unconventional interpretations, a kind of golden mean of Beethoven. Decca's spacious sonics foregrounds Solti's attention to orchestral detail; all the sections, particularly the low strings and the winds can be heard to beautiful effect. Solti's tempos are expansive, and as befits a great opera conductor,incident rules over architecture. The decade from the late '80's to the late '90's was a stellar period for Beethoven symphony cycles. The four best, each completely at odds with the other, are Gardiner (period performance practice, Beethoven as French revolutionary, martial, manic, zealous); Barenboim (Wagnerian, deep orchestral colors, expressive tempos); Harnoncourt (raw,fusing Barenboim's personal expressiveness and Gardiner's small forces and fast tempos --Beethoven as untamed avant gardist, somewhere between Bach and Schoenberg); and this set, where Solti utilizes a Wagnerian orchestra with strong on-the-beat phrasing (Toscanini to Barenboim's Furtwangler). This conductor was the last of the old-school Middle Europeans in the field, and one of the only members of his breed to benefit from a first-rate band recorded with clarity in digital sound. (Karajan's late Beethoven cycle is to be avoided at all cost). If you like your Ludwig Van straight up, technocratic, without weirdness or surprises, then this set is for you (I mean that as a compliment...)

Solti's Great Beethoven- an essential!.......2006-05-22

Reviewers would tell you that Karajan's first Deutsche Grammophon recordings is the Beethoven cycle to own. While I believe that Karajan's string-rich virtuoso view of Beethoven's score is refreshing, a quick comparison of the score and Karajan's music shows that he often takes a very Wagnerian (rubato) view of the score. Most people believe that Wagnerian entails a brassy, loud "heavy-metal" handed interpretation of the music. This, however, is a misconception that needs to be erased. Unlike Wagner, Beethoven had metronome markings in his score that a conductor needs to interpret to music to make the music sound right. Also, the development in the symphonies' musical and emotional structure are aided by these score markings to make it easier for the conductor to bring forth the composer's message. Karajan took a Wagnerian style of conducting in the sense that he changed some of the tempi to his liking. Solti, however, follows Beethoven's score in a German Romantic tradition. This means that there is a transparency to his conducting, but not to the degree that Szell takes with his Beethoven. Every musical detail is heard, and the strings are very well accentuated too. Karajan's recording emphasized the strings too much and drowned the other instruments. I find that although his Beethoven symphonies can be rather ravishing, it does not offer a very complete vision of the music.

These Chicago recordings (recorded by possibly the greatest symphony in the world at that time, the CSO) are undoubtedly the work of a conductor who knew the intentions of Beethoven very well and respected them. I highly recommend this set for anyone who wants to listen to Beethoven as it should be performed.

The benchmark recordings for the Beethoven nine !.......2005-10-16

Some say the Karajan (1963) are better. Well it may have sounded so *inside the hall* when Karajan played it back then. But the recording is pretty awful. I own the set and am thinking of tossing them out. But then it shouldn't come as a surprise because it was recorded in ..umm..1963.. using primitive equipment.

This Decca DDD set, like all Decca DDD recordings, are just spectacular ! The sound is rich, clear and room filling with plenty of bass in the strings, something most other recordings seem to lack. I have heard many versions of the Beethoven nine, Szell, Bernstein, Karajan, Muti, Levine, Chailly and others - but this is the one that sets the benchmark.

(ps: For # 3, I prefer the Levine/Met (DG, 4D recording) version )

Average customer rating: FANTASTIC!! The best at your hands

The Best of Beethoven Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Mozart The Best of Bach The Best of Tchaikovsky The Best of Vivaldi The Best of Chopin ASIN: B0000014H2 Release Date: 1997-10-20

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 - Allegro con brio
2. Bagatelle in A minor, WoO23
3. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op 55, 'Eroica' - Scherzo: Allegro vivace
4. Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique' - Adagio cantabile
5. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 - Rondo: Allegro
6. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight' - Adagio sostenuto
7. Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, 'Pastoral' - Allegro ma non troppo
8. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73, 'Emperor' - Rondo: Allegro
9. Overture to Egmont
10. Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, 'Choral' - Finale: Presto

Customer Reviews:

FANTASTIC!!.......2007-05-04

THIS CD IS AMAZING!! It gives a great overview of Beethoven's music, and is nicely recorded. At this price, this music is AMAZING!!!!

The best at your hands.......2000-08-21

Naxos has released dozens of "The Best of" CDs, and this one is a great addition, just as any other CD. It might be a coincidence, but this particular CD got me hooked on Classical Music. For newcomers to Classical Music, I would definitely recommend this fine CD. At budget price and with the DDD quality, it is worth buying. For Beethoven experts, this might just be a worthy addition to their repertoire.

Average customer rating: Warm feelings towards this much loved set Excellent value for money Hogwood Good I absolutely love this set !!! A bold, fresh winner

Beethoven - The Symphonies / Augér, Robbin, Rolfe Johnson, Reinhart, AAM, Hogwood Ludwig van Beethoven , The Academy of Ancient Music , Christopher Hogwood , Arleen Auger , Anthony Rolfe Johnson , Gregory Reinhart , and Catherine Robbin Manufacturer: Decca 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 Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Hogwood, Christopher | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: The Piano Concertos; 3 Sonatas Complete Mozart Symphonies / Pinnock, English Concert Bach - The Orchestral Suites / Rousset, AAM, Hogwood Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies / Gardiner Mozart: The Symphonies (Nos 1-41, plus 27 other symphonic works) /AAM * Schroder * Hogwood ASIN: B000004CYT Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: I. Adagio molto Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: II. Adante canabile con molto
3. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegro molto e vivace
4. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: IV. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace
5. Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': I. Allegro con brio
6. Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai
7. Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': III. Schertzo: Allegro vivace
8. Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': IV. Finale: Allegro molto

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: II. Larghetto
3. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: III. Scherzo: Allegro
4. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: IV. Allegro molto
5. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': I. Allegro ma non troppo
6. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': II. Adante molto messo
7. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': III. Allegro -
8. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': IV. Allegro -
9. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': V. Allegretto

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: I. Adagio - Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: II. Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: III. Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: IV. Allegro ma non troppo - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: II. Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: III. Allegro - - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Overture 'Coriolan', Op. 62
2. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
3. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegreto
4. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: III. Presto
5. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: IV. Allegro con brio
6. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: I. Allegro vivace e con brio
7. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: II. Allegreto scherzando
8. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: III. Tempo di menuetto
9. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: IV. Allegro vivace

Tracks:

1. Overture 'Egmont', Op. 84
2. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
3. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': II. Molto vivace - Presto
4. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': III. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato
5. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': IV. Presto - Allegro assai - Andante maestoso - Allegro energico, sempre be marcato - Allegro ma non tanto - Prestissimo

Amazon.com

Stylistically, Hogwood is on firm ground, and there is much to be said for his insights into the music. He prefers not to "conduct" the symphonies in the conventional manner, but to "coordinate" their performance as a musician of the period might have done. His Eroica and Pastorale are outstanding, and his Ninth most impressive. The symphonies were recorded in the order of their composition, and the sound is consistently good throughout. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Warm feelings towards this much loved set.......2007-03-05

In the early 1980s I was indifferent to the use of period instruments in the music of Beethoven. I was very enthusiastic, to be sure, about the use of period instruments in Baroque and Renaissance music and I was rather partial to the sound of the Fortepiano in Mozart and Beethoven. I owned many of Collegium Aureum recordings of Mozart, J. C. Bach and Beethoven recorded in the 1970s and I enjoyed them a lot. I have a soft spot for the Collegium Aureum recording of the Triple Concerto of Beethoven, it is a favourite of mine and I've really never heard a recording I prefer over it. Strange, isn't it that Gardiner, Hogwood, Immerseel, Levin, Brüggen, Norrington, Herreweghe and the other HIP conductors and performers haven't recorded it?

I digress. Whilst walking down Chapel Street in Prahran in Melbourne one sunny Sunday afternoon with a girlfriend I walked into a music shop. I'd recently bought a CD player and I was on the look out for some good Classical recordings. I noticed the Hogwood recording of the Eroica and I had a listen to this recording on the headphones. I was astonished. In the slow movement it was as if I could hear the orchestra actually breathing. The use of fortepiano basso continuo also impressed me with the subtle colours it gave to the orchestra. Yep! I bought the disc on the spot and the rest, as they say, is history.

I love the Hogwood set because he does as little standing in the way between you and me, the listeners, and Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer, as possible. Does this make any sense? Perhaps not. However, Hogwood seemed to entrust Beethoven's written music with his players and he lets this music be itself.

The performances are exciting and moving. I like every moment in this set except the tempo of the March section of the 4th movement of the 9th Symphony, which uses the erroneous metronome mark (the tactus should be halved).

This recordings stands up incredibly well against the more recent recordings by Gardiner and Brüggen, for instance, although I think many may prefer Gardiner these days (and Brüggen's recordings are very, very good, too).

The best HIP/period Beethoven symphonies? Hard to say, but I do like the sets by Norrington, Hogwood, Gardiner, Goodman and Brüggen. As I said, I have some very warm feelings of affection for Christopher Hogwood's pioneering recordings of the Beethoven Symphonies. I bought this repackaged set a few years ago and I return to it often.

Excellent value for money.......2007-01-04

This album is a reissue of the recording done in the eighties and, I believe, is still among the best interpretations of Beethoven's symphonies. The performance is amzingly crisp and clear. You will not regret if you buy this set.

Hogwood Good.......2007-01-01

I'm one of those Beethoven fanatics who has all the period recordings of Beethoven's nine symphonies, or most of them anyway. I've got Norrington, Gardiner, Bruggen, the Hanover Band and Hogwood. Between the five, I could assemble a definitive "period" set. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but Hogwood and his forces could hold their own over the course of the nine. I enjoyed symphonies 1, 2, 4, 5 & 7.

If you are looking for one good set, with solid sound at a great price, this is it. Nevertheless, the Hanover Band recordings on Nimbus, originally won me over. Before them, the modern orchestra frankly bored me with their Beethoven, and I hadn`t heard the other period specialists yet.

My favorites ~
*The Hanover Band
*Franz Bruggen and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century
*Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music
*John Elliot Gardiner and the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique
*Roger Norrington and the London Classical Players

I absolutely love this set !!!.......2006-09-05

This set is excellent. I love Hogwood and his approach to these symphonies. Instead of playing Beethoven according to contemporary orchestral practices, Hogwood brings us back to the correct size and sound of Beethoven's day, and in doing so delivers one of the most interesting and lively recordings of these immortal symphonies. The Beethoven one hears on these discs is an exciting one, the music is vibrant, alive and...yes, even fun at times! Hogwood plays Beethoven the way he should be played, with an authentic orchestra and authentic timings. The instruments sound fresh and alive, and the quality of the recording is excellent, the music sounds clean and direct. I highly recommend this incredible set, and I want to say thank you to Mr. Hogwood for creating my favorite set of Beethoven's symphonies!

A bold, fresh winner.......2006-02-19

There is a growing consensus among professional musicians, musicologists, and aficionados that the use of "period" instruments in performances of the Classical repertoire yields an authenticity that is not realized when modern instruments are used. This sparkling cycle is more grist for the mill. Clarity, balance, and rationality - the hallmarks of the Classical style - shine through here.

Perhaps listeners raised on Karajan and Klemperer will be a bit jolted by the sound here. There are no theatrics, no fussy bombast, no histrionics. But for admirers of texture, the luxury of being able to hear the subtleties of orchestration will have a narcotic effect. To take but one example from this cycle, the fugal development of the final movement of Eroica is the most clear and balanced version I've yet heard.

Even so, the war between the "purists" and the "revisionists" will rage on, but thanks to this outstanding recording the former have gained yet another battle victory over the latter.

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 All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music 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:

1. Symphony No.1 In C Major, Op.21
2. Symphony No.2 In D Major, Op.36
3. Symphony No.4 In B-Flat Major, Op.60
4. Symphony No.6 In F Major, Op.68
5. Symphony No.9 In D Minor, Op.125
6. 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.

Track Listings:

1. Beethoven/Liszt: Symphony No.5
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"; Fantasia
3. Beethoven: Sonate "à Kreutzer"
4. Beethoven: The Last 5 Piano Sonatas
5. Beethoven: Trio in Bf Op11
6. Beethoven: Variations, Dances & Bagatelles
7. Berlioz: Symphony fantastique/Dance of the Sylphs/Dvorak: Slavonic Dance
8. Chopin: Concerto for piano in Fm; Bach: Concerto for keyboard No1
9. Chopin: Polonaises No7; Ballades No3
10. Cinema Classics

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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