Beethoven: The Symphonies

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0782124219420 Format: Box set Label: Berlin Classics Manufacturer: Berlin Classics Number Of Discs: 5 Publisher: Berlin Classics Release Date: 1995-03-21 Studio: Berlin Classics
Editorial Reviews: This is a truly great Beethoven cycle, containing fantastic performances of Symphonies 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9, and pretty fine versions of all the others. The Dresden Staatskapelle is the finest orchestra in Germany, a fact that was concealed for many years by its isolation behind the Iron Curtain, and by the marketing hype promulgated by Herbert von Karajan and Deutsche Grammophon in favor of the Berlin Philharmonic. But just listen to these recordings: great playing in every section, a lively sense of rhythm, and an intensely musical response from Herbert Blomstedt. At mid-price, these performances (which are available separately) belong in every collection. --David Hurwitz
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: just good, not special Comment: Now available for a few bucks in the Brilliant Classics box, these performances are just fine. The playing and recording is excellent compared to Karajan's 70's cycle, which sound is mudded with acoustics that sound like it's recorded in a very big empty church. And that's ironic because Blomstedt's set for certain is recorded in a church and you do not notice that at all - the booklets of Karajan's recordings give no clue where the recordings took place. However: the tempi are way too slow and even though the playing is more rhythmical defined, better articulated than Karajan's recording, I like Karajan's set much better for it's drive, energy and passion. The third symphonie's scherzo however I like Blomstedt's tempo much better. And the ninth is special indeed. Forget the first movement, way too slow, but the second movement is easily given the best performance ever. Here the tempo is just right. Karajan is too fast, well not so much the speed alone, the playing just isn't tight enough and misses some rhythmical definition The violins under Blomstedt play very articulate and sound at the same time nicely rough and scratchy. The recording is superb. The celli and double basses are beautiful recorded. Listen to the introduction of the famous theme in the finale, those double basses really grunt! In general: a good, polite and excellent played set, but without excitement. A much better deal would be Zinmann's performance on Arte Nova, if you want a more energetic vision which is also up to date with the period instrument ensembles (Gardiner, Norrington and Bruggen), but with a modern orchestra. You can also check Karajan's set, which speeds are very exiting, even compared to Gardiner, Norrington etc. The DG sound however could be a turn off: that romantic candlelight 70's sound (the sound which is also ruining most of Trevor Pinnocks's Baroque recordings on Archiv. But perhaps it's much better to buy one disc at a time. The ninth symphony for instance is given a brilliant performance by Herreweghe on Harmonia Mundi and the third by Jordi Savall on Auvidis Astree. I would recommend to check those performances. Customer Rating: Summary: The best analogue-recorded Beethoven symphony cycle? Comment: This may be the best analogue-recorded version of Beethoven's symphonies that I have heard so far. Under Blomstedt's conservative guidance, the Dresden Staatskapelle yields thrilling performances that are virtually second to none! Their versions of the 5th, 6th and 7th symphonies are exemplary; warm, lively interpretations as rewarding as those by Kleiber, Bohm and Bernstein with the Vienna Philharmonic. Performances of the other symponies are quite good too. The sound engineers did a wondeful job ensuring that no instrument section would overpower another; the woodwinds and strings are as crisp and clear as brass and percussion. For once I agree with the editors at amazon.com. This lesser known set unquestionably deserves to be mentioned as one of the great Beethoven symphony cycles. Customer Rating: Summary: Five stars all the way Comment: Amazon's review got it right on the nose. A fantastic set of the great 9. Truly great. And you can't beat the price! Highly recommended. More Reviews