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The Beethoven Symphonies Thread

post #1 of 41
11/10/09 at 9:04pm
Thread Starter 
Given the interest in the late period thread, I though there might be value in having one for the symphonies. I would recommend the Paavo Jarvi works on RCA Victor Red Seal and the LSO performances. I also am quite fond of Bruno Walters Sixth. http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/204 Any favorite performances of yours?
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post #2 of 41
11/10/09 at 10:25pm
For a box set, I'm partial to Bernstein/VPO if for no other reason than it was my first. Karajan/BPO 1963 is also very good, but I'd avoid the later Karajans. I also like Gardiner for HIP (Historically Informed Performance), but there are lots of interesting HIP choices. Zinman is an interesting medium between old school and HIP. For individual recordings, there are lots. I'll just throw out the obvious: Kleiber for 5th and 7th. --Andre
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post #3 of 41
11/12/09 at 9:33pm
Thread Starter 
I like the Bernstein as well Andre. Karajan is good but some of the DG recordings are not so great sonically imho (at least digital versions and some LPs I have). Are you a Jarvi fan at all?
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post #4 of 41
11/12/09 at 9:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
I like the Bernstein as well Andre. Karajan is good but some of the DG recordings are not so great sonically imho (at least digital versions and some LPs I have).

I have a Bernstein Tanglewood performance of the 7th that put me to sleep.
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post #5 of 41
11/12/09 at 9:41pm
Karajan and Gardiner are the only ones I've ever been into, but I really don't care that much about the marginal differences between various performances. The piece is the thing. Whoever can help me hear it the most clearly, I like best.
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post #6 of 41
11/12/09 at 9:57pm
My two favorite Beethoven symphonies are #3 and #6. I prefer recent DDD recordings by any orchestra good enough to be able to put out a commercial CD to any ADD recordings - however historically important they may be. Some may deem this approach provincial; but I just want a clear recording without any hissing or popping sounds.
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post #7 of 41
11/12/09 at 10:44pm
I have No. 6 by Bystrik Režucha and the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and enjoy it. I also saw No. 6 and 7 performed live by the local philharmonic and really, really enjoyed it.
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post #8 of 41
11/12/09 at 11:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manton View Post
Karajan and Gardiner are the only ones I've ever been into, but I really don't care that much about the marginal differences between various performances. The piece is the thing. Whoever can help me hear it the most clearly, I like best.

Didn't you make fun of Norrington in the late Beethoven thread?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
Are you a Jarvi fan at all?

Neeme or Paavo? In either case, I haven't heard their Beethoven, but they are solid and reliable recommendations for lots of things.

--Andre
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post #9 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:36am
1. Haitink/LSO/LSO Live 2. Karajan/BPO/DGG (1963) 3. Monteux/Concertegebouw/Philips 4. Walter/CBS SO/Columbia 5. Kleiber/VPO/DGG 6. Walter/CBS SO/Columbia 7. Kleiber/VPO/DGG 8. Karajan/BPO/DGG (1963) 9. Wand/NDR SO/EMI Complete sets: Karajan (1963) Klemperer Haitink (LSO) Top 3: 1. Kleiber 5th. The greatest recording of anything Beethoven wrote and probably the greatest orchestral recording of the past 50 years, IMO. 2. Monteux 3rd. Absolutely amazing. Whoulda thunk it? 3. Wand 9th. Makes it sound like Bruckner. A good thing. Never heard the counterpoint sound as clear or as balanced as this.
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post #10 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:38am
Klemperer and the Philharmonia.
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post #11 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
Are you a Jarvi fan at all?

Sorry to horn in, AF. But I've never understood the fascination with the Jarvis.

Jarvi pere conducts, to quote a buddy at the BBC, like 'an Estonian pig farmer'. Ugh! And the son is only marginally better.
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post #12 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:46am
Kleiber's 5th and 7th, and after that Furtwangler's live 9th - terrible sound quality and all.
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post #13 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:17pm
easily stated: value is to be found (heard) in the odd - i thought everyone knew this?
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post #14 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Y View Post
Didn't you make fun of Norrington in the late Beethoven thread?
Yes.
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post #15 of 41
11/13/09 at 12:34pm
Hey Manton, Norrington recently conducted the Philly Orch in Beethoven 4 (along with Schumann 1 and Mozart Bsn Concerto). With no vibrato. I'm not sure if that follows your definition of hearing the symphony clearly. His reason for no vibrato was that it was how the pieces were originally performed and conceived.

It was a successful performance. I never thought I'd hear the day where even the winds in the Philly Orch were playing with no vibrato most of the time.

I spoke with Sir Roger before the concert a few times. He's an extremely nice and sociable person. It's apparent that he's not doing such things as a gimmick. He has his reasons to do what he does.
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