Beethoven Symphonies

[kennyk]

I'm looking for an outstanding version of Symphony No 7 myself. so I thought I'd canvas some opinions as to which interpretations of each individual symphony are the 'best'.

My favourite two of beethoven's symphonies are 6 & 7. I've yet to find an excellent version of 7. so far Norrington's version of number 6 is perfect for me, but 7 is lacking something for me.

I've got DG Lps of Karajan & BPO absolutely destroying pretty much the whole cycle too.

the BPO / Andre Cluytens version of 7 seems to be not quite there either.

so pick your favourites...

[musicbox]

1 - Zinman/Tonhalle or Norrington/LCP

2 - Norrington/LCP

3 - Klemperer/LPO or Jochum/Concertgebouw or Wand/Cologne (ancient radio recording)

4 - Vanska/Minnesota on BIS

5 - Vanska/Minnestoa or Szell/Concertgebouw

6 -Ashkenazy/Philharmonia maybe - this symphony never works for me.

7 - Bohm/Berlin Phil (or might have been VPO)or Kleiber/VPO

8 - Norrington/LCP

9 - Norrington/LCP or Wand/NDR Symphony

I'm avidly awaiting the future release of Osmo Vanska and Minnesota Orchestra on BIS as their first disc of 4 & 5 was stunning.

[The Strat]

Kleiber/VPO is awesome. Still available on DG coupled with the 5th I think.

[Glens of Antrim]

Otto Klemperer & Kleiber would be my favourites in 7. Bruno Walter & Klemperer in 6.

Isn't it strange how infrequently Beethoven come up in this forum

GofA

[SSM]

Glens of Antrim wrote:

Isn't it strange how infrequently Beethoven come up in this forum

Hey! If you guys play R.Strauss's Metamorphosen you can hear a sample from the Funeral Marsh of LvB's Eroica Symphony at the end.



For no.7 Kleiber/VPO would be my pick too, despite that claustrophobic DG sound. Its more of a "legendary" perforamnce than the accompanying 5th imho.

SS

[peter312]

solidstateman wrote:

For no.7 Kleiber/VPO would be my pick too, despite that claustrophobic DG sound. Its more of a "legendary" performance than the accompanying 5th imho.

SS

I know what you mean about claustrophobic sound. Is there a version that has a nice clear airy sound that is nearly as legendary?

:dude:

[kennyk]

how would anyone rate Simon Rattle's interpretationof No.7 ?

[SSM]

peter312 wrote:

solidstateman wrote:

For no.7 Kleiber/VPO would be my pick too, despite that claustrophobic DG sound. Its more of a "legendary" performance than the accompanying 5th imho.

SS

I know what you mean about claustrophobic sound. Is there a version that has a nice clear airy sound that is nearly as legendary?

:dude:

Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia on Decca steadily gains my affection with every occasion I play it. The sonics are faultless and the accompanying 5th is also good.

SS

[musicbox]

The Zinman Tonhalle set has excellent sound, and is available at budget price. All his series are good performances except the 9th.

[kennyk]

picked up the Kleiber 5&7 for £3.99 in the Virgin sale

great performance

I was listening to 2nd mvt of 7 on headphones last night. I can clearly hear chairs creaking and people sniffing etc. at one point I thought they were having a toot of some charlie to get fired up for the 4th movement. ;)

[godlau]

Check out Sym 4 (CD & LP), Sym 6 and Sym 7 (SACD!) conducted by Kleiber issued by Orfeo, and also the SACD version of Sym 5&7 by Kleiber from DG. (I actually owned the separate LP of 5 & &, the early release (separately) of this 5 & 7, then the combi version of 'The Originals' and then this SACD... version)

If for a complete cycle...I personally favour the Bruno Walter Cycle (Stereo, issued by CBS then again by Sony on Bruno Walter edition)....but these are really early stereo recording..... also can consider Karajan 70's cycle.... i don't really like the 60's ones and the 80's DDD release from DG

[Glens of Antrim]

The Walter 4 & 6 is one of my favourite Beethoven recordings & about the 3rd or 4th classical lp I bought way back in 1984 or so (was trying to impress a girl of course ). Haven't heard the rest of Walter's Beethoven though. Must look out for it.

And welcome to the Wigwam & the classical lodge. Were all harmless, bar the sledging&always a lot of fun.

GofA

[SSM]

Welcome to the classical teepee, Godlau. We look forward to having some fun with you.:sorry:

Agree with you about HvK's 80s DG Beethoven cycle - it's glossy rubbish imho. The 70s cycle is the pick of the lot, although the 60s has its crowning glory in that magnificent 9th.

For LvB's Symphony 4 my personal fav would be Mravinksy's with the Leningrad PO. And surprise, surprise! I will be attending a concert performance of this symphony very soon and the orchestra is none other than the Oslo Philharmonic!

Yes, I will finally get to hear this acclaimed orchestra in the flesh!Might submit a report to make yall jealous.;)

SS

[SSM]

Glens of Antrim wrote:

And welcome to the Wigwam & the classical lodge. Were all harmless, bar the sledging&always a lot of fun.

GofA

That's true. We are a very close-knit community

Please enjoy your time here and do try to avoid steppingin Boxer's piles of French shit.;)

SS

[musicbox]

solidstateman wrote:

....I will be attending a concert performance of this symphony very soon and the orchestra is none other than the Oslo Philharmonic!

Yes, I will finally get to hear this acclaimed orchestra in the flesh!Might submit a report to make yall jealous.;)

mit Previn? could be good.

Personally can't stand Karajan in Beethoven... 80s is dire, 70s is slightly less dire, 60s is actually quite good, but many better.

[Boxer]

solidstateman wrote:

Glens of Antrim wrote:

And welcome to the Wigwam & the classical lodge. Were all harmless, bar the sledging&always a lot of fun.

GofA

That's true. We are a very close-knit community

Please enjoy your time here and do try to avoid steppingin Boxer's piles of French shit.;)

SS

Cheeky sod! Just `cos some of us like some delicacy & refinement to our music, & don't need everything to be emotionally super-charged....

Boxer

[Boxer]

solidstateman wrote:

Glens of Antrim wrote:

And welcome to the Wigwam & the classical lodge. Were all harmless, bar the sledging&always a lot of fun.

GofA

That's true. We are a very close-knit community

Please enjoy your time here and do try to avoid steppingin Boxer's piles of French shit.;)

SS

Cheeky sod! Just `cos some of us like some delicacy & refinement to our music, & don't need everything to be emotionally super-charged....

Boxer

[SSM]

musicbox wrote:

mit Previn? could be good.

The accompanying stick-waver is Vassily Sinaisky. ???

The programme:

Jun 21

• Gisle Kverndokk: The Whirls of the Witches
• Sibelius Violin Concerto (Sarah Chang)
  
• Mahler Symphony No. 1

Jun 22

• Johan Svendsen: Norwegian Artists' Carnival
• LvB Symphony No. 4
• Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

As can be seen, the audience is going to be force-fed some native Scandinavian compositions as appetizers.

Oh well, must keep an open mind. Will leave my Flying Dutchman costume at home...

SS



hi Boxer

bye Boxer

[musicbox]

Previn recently took over as Chief Conductor, successor to Jansons at Oslo. He came to Edinburgh a few months ago, did Tchaikovsky's 4th. We couldn't get a babysitterso missed it.

[kennyk]

Just picked up a fairly hefty pile of Classical LPs at the weekend, and spent some time trying to catalogue the lot to see what I had.

in amongst them were some of the Symphonies:

Paul Keltzki / Radio Frankfurt Orch 's No.6 (Pastoral) on the Blue/Silver Concert Hall from 1962. this one seems to turn up a lot.I'm sure my dad has a copy, I THOUGHT I already had one as well. I often find knackered copies in charidee shops.

Erich Kleiber / Vienna Phil Orch of No.6 on Decca LXT Orange. feels likea 50s pressing.

HvK's No7 from 60's cycle.on Ace of Diamonds. Vast improvement over the 80s DG abomination.

HMV Concert Classics mono from 1961 of 7 as well. Colin Davis conductor.

a Decca eclipse of 1 & 8, but I ca't remember conductor or orch.