Just when you thought I'd stopped them....they're back and this time it's a handful of newer recordings I'm reviewing. As always, these are my personal views. You may or may not agree but feel free to add anything pertinent to these performances in the comments, below. Again, I've tried to cover some of the newer sets here. Some are expensive to obtain from but whatever the case it's nice to know what they sound like so I've tried to give some indication of this in my short reviews. Anyway, enough of the blurb....here goes.
My ratings are:
C Satisfactory cycle. Ok, but nothing to shout about
B- Good cycle but flawed (see decriptions in thread).
B Good standard. A decent library set or better.
B+ Very good set. Some very impressive performances. Well worth investing in.
A- Excellent set just missing a little something to take it to the top of the pile but all performances very good or better.
A* Wow! Currently the cream of the crop out there in LvB Cycleland. Buy, borrow or listen, now!
Adam Fischer / Danish Chamber Orchestra
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I have a lot of time for Adam Fischer. Those familiar with his Mahler, Mozart and Haydn recordings know that he likes to add colour to recordings with an odd accent here and there or colourful use of dynamics to emphasize passages. Even if some of his Mahler didn't quite hit the spot he did some interesting and lovely things with the music. Things are no different with this cycle but it works to greater effect more consistently. Tempi are generally brisk but Fischer is no mere speed-merchant (listen how he slows down from a Scherchen-like first movement of the 6th to a gentle, lilting Scene by the Brook and then ramps up the dynamics for the Storm) and he's not afraid to push and pull around a fair bit and hold things up (check out the last movement of the 5th where he does this to great effect in a very Furtwangler-esque fashion). After weeks of listening to this cycle I've grown to really like it (it was an instant hit tbh) and all it's tiny little details that distinguish it from 'just another HIP cycle'. All performances are at least very good and some are outstanding (the 1st, 4th, 7th and 8th are joyful). My advice is to go away and listen to Fischer's dynamic cycle. If you're as captivated by it as me (and a few others on this site) then get it. It's really impressive. Oh and a word about the sound.....superb. Seriously, it's crystal clear and packs a nice punch. There is nothing I don't like. The best (almost) HIP cycle out there? Possibly! Recommended enthusiastically.
Grade: A*
Saraste / WDRSO
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I'd read a few mixed reviews about this cycle, yet none were negative, so I was eager to get my paws on it and give it a good listen. So what do you get? You get a well-played, well-intentioned, well-recorded set of Beethoven symphonies which sits at a middle ground, mixing old-style big-band Beethoven with a nod to the odd HIP performance. Years ago that would have been enough to catapult this set towards the top of the pile but in such a crowded field a new LvB cycle needs to say something new. Does this? Well, no. But I do like this cycle. It's very good in places and some performances are terrific (the 1st and 4th are great, honestly). Otherwise there's a very good 7th and 9th (with some lovely noisy timpani, which I love) and, quite frankly, not a total bummer in the set (although I have large reservations about the Eroica, which I found a little soggy and dragged in places). Speeds are fractionally quicker than moderate (and moderate in many slow movements) but forward momentum is good and Saraste keeps a good line through a well-conducted set. See what you think but if you want a decent, recent, digital set in good sound and with good performances you won't go much wrong....it's just that you can do better elesewhere!
Grade: B+
Ashkenazy / NHK SO
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Those familiar with Ashkenazy's older Philharmonia recordings of symphonies 5-7 will know that Ashkenazy is a solid but unspectacular Beethoven (and Sibelius) interpreter. Over 20 years later things haven't changed much. Exton give Ashkenazy good sound and then spoil it by having hardly audible timpani in certain symphonies. Speeds are moderate and there are some nice touches in some of these recordings. The disc of Symphonies 4&5 is defintely the pick here and that's a very fine 5th from Ashkenazy. Otherwise there's a very old-fashioned, big band 9th, a 6th that's nowhere near as lyrical and warm as his Philharmonia one, a decent Eroica and ok treatments of all the rest. The NHK's playing is, as always these days, very good but (I can't help feel) lacks warmth. I'm demanding. I want more from my Beethoven nowadays. This doesn't provide it. It's just a basic LvB cycle. I wish I could be more positive than that.
Grade: C
Dausgaard / Swedish Chamber Orchestra
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It's taken me some time to get hold of all of these recordings or this would have been reviewed 2 years back. Anyhow, I'm finally there. I've lived with some of Dausgaard's HIP cycle for some time and there are performances here I really rate highly. The 8th is possibly one of the finest out there (as good as Nelsons) and the 4th is an impressive reading. I also like how Dausgaard and his forces slow the 5th down in the finale, after setting off at a very brisk pace in the first movement, to give a very stately ending to the symphony. Elsewhere i have mixed feelings about the set. At times performances can sound undernourished and, unsurprisingly, Beethoven-lite. The 6th I find unconvincing, especially in comparison to Bohm's majestic Pastoral and I'm rarely a fan of many HIP 9ths - this is no exception, although the scherzo is really nicely good. The first two symphonies are fine and I like the Eroica a great deal. Otherwise the 7th doesn't wholly convince me in the way Skrowaczewski, Karajan, Honeck, Kleiber, Dudamel (DG) or Norrington 2 do, even though the finale is rivetting. In short this is a frustrating set as there are some really impressive moments and with a bit more consistency and a fuller string tone from bigger forces this could have been up there. Stylistically similar to Zinman. Soundwise, tempi-wise and performance-wise it's similar in feel to Jarvi's set but there are some better performances here (and a few worse). Nice sonics and recorded sound. These are all on individual discs with substantial fillers btw. Expensive too!
Grade: B+
De Vriend / Netherlands SO
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I came to De Vriend's cycle with some trepidation, not knowing to expect from this conductor and orchestra. Along with Fischer's cycle this one has been occupying much of my Beethoven symphonic listening lately, and with good reason. It's marvellous! De Vriend and his Netherlands SO create a big, tight, well-structured soundscape that's coarse enough in places to please those who like their Beethoven dirty and big-band enough to compete with Karajan et al. In short this is a top tier cycle. EVERY performance is at least very good and the most are excellent. The disc of symphonies 7&8 is my favourite with a killer account of the 7th and a hugely enjoyable 8th. The 9th is proper big-boned Beethoven (no weedy strings here) as is his recording of the 5th, which is paired with one of the finest 1sts in the catalogue. Speeds seem on the brisk side but looking at timings this isnt the case, it's merely De Vriend's propulsive readings. As for the sound it's excellent, boasting vibrant, detailed dynamic stereo spread (I don't own SACD) with a great sense of sound stage. Brass lovers - buy with confidence! Make no bones about it, this is up there with Skrowaczewski for me as one the best LvB cycles on the market and will particularly please those who like their Beethoven with some 'umph' and vigour. Hugely recommended.
Grade: A*
Hope you've enjoyed reading these. If not. at least you're now aware of yet more (newer) cycles out there to explore.
Previous reviews:
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt10
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt9
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt8
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt7
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt6
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt5
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt4
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt3
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Review Pt2
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt1
My ratings are:
C Satisfactory cycle. Ok, but nothing to shout about
B- Good cycle but flawed (see decriptions in thread).
B Good standard. A decent library set or better.
B+ Very good set. Some very impressive performances. Well worth investing in.
A- Excellent set just missing a little something to take it to the top of the pile but all performances very good or better.
A* Wow! Currently the cream of the crop out there in LvB Cycleland. Buy, borrow or listen, now!
Adam Fischer / Danish Chamber Orchestra
I have a lot of time for Adam Fischer. Those familiar with his Mahler, Mozart and Haydn recordings know that he likes to add colour to recordings with an odd accent here and there or colourful use of dynamics to emphasize passages. Even if some of his Mahler didn't quite hit the spot he did some interesting and lovely things with the music. Things are no different with this cycle but it works to greater effect more consistently. Tempi are generally brisk but Fischer is no mere speed-merchant (listen how he slows down from a Scherchen-like first movement of the 6th to a gentle, lilting Scene by the Brook and then ramps up the dynamics for the Storm) and he's not afraid to push and pull around a fair bit and hold things up (check out the last movement of the 5th where he does this to great effect in a very Furtwangler-esque fashion). After weeks of listening to this cycle I've grown to really like it (it was an instant hit tbh) and all it's tiny little details that distinguish it from 'just another HIP cycle'. All performances are at least very good and some are outstanding (the 1st, 4th, 7th and 8th are joyful). My advice is to go away and listen to Fischer's dynamic cycle. If you're as captivated by it as me (and a few others on this site) then get it. It's really impressive. Oh and a word about the sound.....superb. Seriously, it's crystal clear and packs a nice punch. There is nothing I don't like. The best (almost) HIP cycle out there? Possibly! Recommended enthusiastically.
Grade: A*
Saraste / WDRSO
I'd read a few mixed reviews about this cycle, yet none were negative, so I was eager to get my paws on it and give it a good listen. So what do you get? You get a well-played, well-intentioned, well-recorded set of Beethoven symphonies which sits at a middle ground, mixing old-style big-band Beethoven with a nod to the odd HIP performance. Years ago that would have been enough to catapult this set towards the top of the pile but in such a crowded field a new LvB cycle needs to say something new. Does this? Well, no. But I do like this cycle. It's very good in places and some performances are terrific (the 1st and 4th are great, honestly). Otherwise there's a very good 7th and 9th (with some lovely noisy timpani, which I love) and, quite frankly, not a total bummer in the set (although I have large reservations about the Eroica, which I found a little soggy and dragged in places). Speeds are fractionally quicker than moderate (and moderate in many slow movements) but forward momentum is good and Saraste keeps a good line through a well-conducted set. See what you think but if you want a decent, recent, digital set in good sound and with good performances you won't go much wrong....it's just that you can do better elesewhere!
Grade: B+
Ashkenazy / NHK SO
Those familiar with Ashkenazy's older Philharmonia recordings of symphonies 5-7 will know that Ashkenazy is a solid but unspectacular Beethoven (and Sibelius) interpreter. Over 20 years later things haven't changed much. Exton give Ashkenazy good sound and then spoil it by having hardly audible timpani in certain symphonies. Speeds are moderate and there are some nice touches in some of these recordings. The disc of Symphonies 4&5 is defintely the pick here and that's a very fine 5th from Ashkenazy. Otherwise there's a very old-fashioned, big band 9th, a 6th that's nowhere near as lyrical and warm as his Philharmonia one, a decent Eroica and ok treatments of all the rest. The NHK's playing is, as always these days, very good but (I can't help feel) lacks warmth. I'm demanding. I want more from my Beethoven nowadays. This doesn't provide it. It's just a basic LvB cycle. I wish I could be more positive than that.
Grade: C
Dausgaard / Swedish Chamber Orchestra
It's taken me some time to get hold of all of these recordings or this would have been reviewed 2 years back. Anyhow, I'm finally there. I've lived with some of Dausgaard's HIP cycle for some time and there are performances here I really rate highly. The 8th is possibly one of the finest out there (as good as Nelsons) and the 4th is an impressive reading. I also like how Dausgaard and his forces slow the 5th down in the finale, after setting off at a very brisk pace in the first movement, to give a very stately ending to the symphony. Elsewhere i have mixed feelings about the set. At times performances can sound undernourished and, unsurprisingly, Beethoven-lite. The 6th I find unconvincing, especially in comparison to Bohm's majestic Pastoral and I'm rarely a fan of many HIP 9ths - this is no exception, although the scherzo is really nicely good. The first two symphonies are fine and I like the Eroica a great deal. Otherwise the 7th doesn't wholly convince me in the way Skrowaczewski, Karajan, Honeck, Kleiber, Dudamel (DG) or Norrington 2 do, even though the finale is rivetting. In short this is a frustrating set as there are some really impressive moments and with a bit more consistency and a fuller string tone from bigger forces this could have been up there. Stylistically similar to Zinman. Soundwise, tempi-wise and performance-wise it's similar in feel to Jarvi's set but there are some better performances here (and a few worse). Nice sonics and recorded sound. These are all on individual discs with substantial fillers btw. Expensive too!
Grade: B+
De Vriend / Netherlands SO
I came to De Vriend's cycle with some trepidation, not knowing to expect from this conductor and orchestra. Along with Fischer's cycle this one has been occupying much of my Beethoven symphonic listening lately, and with good reason. It's marvellous! De Vriend and his Netherlands SO create a big, tight, well-structured soundscape that's coarse enough in places to please those who like their Beethoven dirty and big-band enough to compete with Karajan et al. In short this is a top tier cycle. EVERY performance is at least very good and the most are excellent. The disc of symphonies 7&8 is my favourite with a killer account of the 7th and a hugely enjoyable 8th. The 9th is proper big-boned Beethoven (no weedy strings here) as is his recording of the 5th, which is paired with one of the finest 1sts in the catalogue. Speeds seem on the brisk side but looking at timings this isnt the case, it's merely De Vriend's propulsive readings. As for the sound it's excellent, boasting vibrant, detailed dynamic stereo spread (I don't own SACD) with a great sense of sound stage. Brass lovers - buy with confidence! Make no bones about it, this is up there with Skrowaczewski for me as one the best LvB cycles on the market and will particularly please those who like their Beethoven with some 'umph' and vigour. Hugely recommended.
Grade: A*
Hope you've enjoyed reading these. If not. at least you're now aware of yet more (newer) cycles out there to explore.
Previous reviews:
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt10
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt9
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt8
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt7
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt6
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt5
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt4
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt3
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Review Pt2
Merl's Beethoven Symphony Cycle Reviews Pt1
