Classical Recordings

[AdamG]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for Beethoven's 5th & 9 Symphonies, but don't know which recording to get.

If someone could point me in the direction of a good performance of these two pieces?

 

[Violinist]

Originally Posted by AdamG

Hey guys,

I'm looking for Beethoven's 5th & 9 Symphonies, but don't know which recording to get.

If someone could point me in the direction of a good performance of these two pieces?

You know, Beethoven wrote a bunch of other great symphonies. Like 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. Even 1 and 2 if you like the grand classical style.

Get a whole cycle, not just the two most "famous" ones. Karajan obvsiouly has a famous cycle, but a lot of purists don't like it. Pretty much every famous conductor with whatever famous orchestra has done a Beethoven cycle. Go on Amazon and find one with a price you like. If you end up liking symphonic music, then it might start a hobby.

 

[Dmax]

HV Karajan's first Beethoven Symphony cycle recorded in the 1960's with Berlin Philarmonic is considered his best and least controversial. It is also a great value as far as boxed sets go. The Fifth and the Ninth are great (I own several Ninth recordings) but you may wish to at least listen to the Third and Sixth Symphonies also. I am not a big fan of the other 5 symphonies but you may like them so getting an inexpensive quality boxed set is a good choice. There is a used set on Amazon for USD $15.49 now.

 

[AdamG]

Thanks guys.

 

[freakseam]

Originally Posted by Dmax

HV Karajan's first Beethoven Symphony cycle recorded in the 1960's with Berlin Philarmonic is considered his best and least controversial.

+1

 

[A Y]

The classic recording of Beethoven's 5th symphony is Carlos Kleiber's, still available on DG. I have no recommendation for the 9th since my tastes seem to run counter to what most classical fans like. I prefer the lighter, faster HIP (historically informed performances) from people like John Eliot Gardiner for the 9th.

In general for the classical repertoire, you can't go too far astray if you get a Bernstein recording. There are some exceptions, like his ultra-slow Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations, which I love for its perverseness, but he's a safe bet, especially in his earlier recordings. When he got older is when he got a bit more willful.

--Andre

 

[tweedlesinpink]

Gardiner's 9th is my preferred recording.
his fifth is rousing and energetic listening, but his 9th i really really like.

 

[AdamG]

What are the best two or three pieces composed by Mozart? And which recordings of these are the best?

 

[amerikajinda]

Originally Posted by AdamG

What are the best two or three pieces composed by Mozart? And which recordings of these are the best?

Karajan's 1962 recording of the Requiem...

 

[AdamG]

Originally Posted by amerikajinda

Karajan's 1962 recording of the Requiem...

Is that this one http://www.amazon.ca/Mozart-Requiem-.../dp/B000001GBY ?

 

[amerikajinda]

You really can't go wrong with any of Karajan's interpretations of the Requiem...

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/...album_id=92077

What I like to do is compare them side by side - i.e., listen to a movement of one recording, then listen to a different recording of the same movement...

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by AdamG

What are the best two or three pieces composed by Mozart? And which recordings of these are the best?

That's a really open-ended question, and depends on so many things. Mozart has masterpieces in virtually every area of classical music: opera, chamber music, symphonies, concerti, etc. Is there a particular area you're more interested in?

--Andre

 

[amerikajinda]

Originally Posted by AdamG

What are the best two or three pieces composed by Mozart? And which recordings of these are the best?
Also, symphonies 40 & 41 -- Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Symphon.../dp/B000001GO0

 

[AdamG]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

That's a really open-ended question, and depends on so many things. Mozart has masterpieces in virtually every area of classical music: opera, chamber music, symphonies, concerti, etc. Is there a particular area you're more interested in? --Andre
Symphonies mostly. I'd probably enjoy listening to another areas too.

 

[A Y]

For symphonies, the no. 40 and 41 as suggested are good starts. Bernstein is good as is the classic Szell/Cleveland from Sony.

You may also want to try some of his piano concerti. There's one by Bernstein on Decca where he plays and conducts no. 15, coupled with the symphony No. 36. Piano concerto no. 21 is famous for its andante movement used in the film Elvira Madigan. Piano concerto no. 24 (K491) is also well worth listening.

Some of his smaller chamber pieces, like the very famous Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A little night music) AKA Serenade for strings in G, are also very appealing. I like Marriner/ASFMO on Philips for this one.

If you scroll down to near the bottom of this page, you can hear some of the more famous pieces by Mozart (and lots of other composers) plus some commentary:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/discover...oarchive.shtml

--Andre