Thread: Best Beethoven symphonies

Originally Posted by Argus

1st - 6
2nd - 9
3rd - 5
4th - 3
5th - 7

The remaining symphonies are hard to decide upon a definitive order.

The 6th is the first symphony I can remember seeing performed on TV and actually watching all the way through. I think it was because parts of it reminded me of the Rupert the Bear theme tune. It is definitely underrated in my opinion.

I really tried to like the 5th as much all the way through, as the 1st movement is infathomable genius with a motif only paralleled in memorability by Smoke on the Water, but as a whole the work is relatively disappointing.

Beethoven's Symphony No 6 underrated? How did you work that one out? This is one of the most highly rated orchestral works ever. It is the No 1 symphony as listed on the UK's Classic FM annual listener poll, and this has been the situation for years. On the recent Australian ABC FM (see relevant thread) poll it's listed as the third favourite. There are currently about 190 separate recordings of this work. One thing that can be safely said is that no way is it underrated.

Originally Posted by Artemis

Beethoven's Symphony No 6 underrated? How did you work that one out? This is one of the most highly rated orchestral works ever. It is the No 1 symphony as listed on the UK's Classic FM annual listener poll, and this has been the situation for years. On the recent Australian ABC FM (see relevant thread) poll it's listed as the third favourite. There are currently about 190 separate recordings of this work. One thing that can be safely said is that no way is it underrated.

Maybe I should reword my statement. Obviosly the 6th is not underrated in comparison with all symphonies ever written, but compared to Beethovens own symphonies it is more often than not ranked below the 9th, 5th, 3rd, even the 7th and 8th by critics and musicians.

I suppose you are right though, I can't really call it underrated when there are plenty of great symphonies out there that most people have never even heard. My views are probably skewed as the 6th was the first symhpony, or even first piece of classical music I really got into and the others, whilst being very good and enjoyable, don't give me same level of emotion as the 6th.

I have seen the ABC FM poll but have you got a link to the Classic FM listeners polls, I can only find the nations favourite composer poll.

EDIT: Just saw yor post in the ABC FM thread about Classic FM poll.

Originally Posted by Argus

I have seen the ABC FM poll but have you got a link to the Classic FM listeners polls, I can only find the nations favourite composer poll.

Classic FM listener poll 2009

Originally Posted by Gustav

My rank of my favorite BEethoven symphonies

1 Symphony #5
2 Symphony #3 Eroica
3 Symphony #9 choral
4 Symphony #6 pastroal
5 symphony #1
6 Symphony #7
7 symphony #2
8 symphony #4
9 symphony #8

What are your ranks?

1) No. 7 (Konwitschny, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester)
2) No. 4 (Szell, Cleveland)
3) No. 5 (Kleiber, Wiener Philharmoniker)
4) No. 3 (Szell, Cleveland / Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden)
5) No. 9 (Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden / Schmidt-Isserstedt, Wiener Philharmoniker)
6) No. 1 (Jochum, Concertgebouworkest)
7) No. 8 (Leibowitz, Royal Philharmonic)
8) No. 6 (Szell, Cleveland)
9) No. 2 (von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker)

6
5

3
7

8

4

9

2
1

New here and ,,,, As a relative newcomer to Classical about 4 years now and only versed as well as casual study can do I have taken a pledge to myself to learn all I can about Beethoven as in my study of Classical music of different types for the past 4 years or so I find Beethoven to be my favorite of all. Although I have not really studied all of these in depth, here goes nothing as they say.................


7
3
9
5
6
8
4
2
1

Ranking in ascending order Titles are mine.. so don't fret)

1 Classic Sir Charles Groves / Royal Philharmonic
2 Prometheus Karajan/ Berlin Philharmonic
4 Norse Maiden Andre Cluytens/ Berlin Philharmonic
8 Little Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic
7 Heavenly Dance Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic
3 Eroica Bernstein/New York Philharmonic
5 Fate Bernstein/New York Philharmonic
6 Pastoral Sir Charles Groves/Royal Philharmonic
9 Choral Zubin Mehta/New York Philharmonic

9 - Gardiner/Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique; Karajan '62; Fricsay/BPO
5 - Immerseel/Anima Eterna; Kleiber/Vienna; Szell/Cleveland
7 - Vanska/Minnesota; Kleiber/Vienna
3 - Szell/Cleveland
6 - Szell/Cleveland
8 - Szell/Cleveland
4 - Immerseel/Anima Eterna
2/1 - Szell/Cleveland

For the 3, 6, 8, 2, and 1, I only have recordings by Szell. I really should look into some more recordings of the 6th and 3rd.

Have decided to focus my investigations mostly on Beethoven. His symphonies and everything else. Have yet to hear all his symphonies, but of the ones I have heard, the sixth is probably my favourite. Although the fifth is "not bad" either. And the third. And the. .

1. Symphony 8
2. Symphony 1
3. Symphony 9
4. Symphony 7
5. Symphony 3
6. Symphony 2
7. Symphony 5
8. Symphony 6
9. Symphony 4

That said, I can enjoy each and every one of them.

1. Symphony No. 6
2. Symphony No. 5
3. Symphony No. 9
4. Symphony No. 7
5. Symphony No. 3
6. Symphony No. 8
7. Symphony No. 4
8. Symphony No. 1
9. Symphony No. 2

And I agree with Lukecash, every single one of them is highly enjoyable.

1. Symphony No. 5
2. Symphony No. 6
3. Symphony No. 7
4. Symphony No. 3
5. Symphony No. 4
6. Symphony No. 9
7. Symphony No. 1
8. Symphony No. 8
9. Symphony No. 2

All of them masterpieces- though 5 holds a special place in my heart as the first symphony I ever heard in full. And 6 is some of the most gorgeous music ever written.

Originally Posted by Lukecash12

1. Symphony 8
2. Symphony 1
3. Symphony 9
4. Symphony 7
5. Symphony 3
6. Symphony 2
7. Symphony 5
8. Symphony 6
9. Symphony 4

That said, I can enjoy each and every one of them.

Finally, someone who appreciates Beethoven's first symphony! While it might not be very Beethovenesque, it's an absolutely beautiful Haydn or Mozart symphony.

Originally Posted by TresPicos

Finally, someone who appreciates Beethoven's first symphony! While it might not be very Beethovenesque, it's an absolutely beautiful Haydn or Mozart symphony.

Well I appreciate it and I'm sure I mentioned that in my earlier post in this thread.

There is actually a *great deal* of Beethoven that I have not yet heard... but I wanted to say something...

Is this not one of the greatest classical CDs out there? It is simply fantastic.


having said that.... I will rank the 3 that I do know...in order....

#7
#9
#5

I find 7 irresistable.