Sounds like you're doing well already. Might want to check out the Gardiner/ORR (IMO the finest HIP-type cycle) and the Vanska...oops, you already have that!

Also see:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/R1L1EGKNY1ZC8X/ref=cm_pdp_sylt_title_2

 

The Harnoncourt/Chamber Orchestra of Europe cycle has intense performances with small orchestra and superb sonics. (Teldec Redbook CD). HIP with modern instruments....awesome.

 

I'll second the Gardiner suggestion. Great sound.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Form the samples of the 5th from both sets I acquired, Harnoncourt sounds very temting, but I was turned off by Gardiner's tempo. So I'm going to go with Harnoncourt now. Gardiner will be on my "to check" list for now....

 

Another modern-day cycle worth checking out is Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin, 1999. It is a slow interpretation, similiar to Furtwangler or Klemperer, but the sonics are outstanding. Released on Warner Classics, it was engineered by Teldec and you can't get better than that IMO. The mic'ing techniques reveal a great presence of the hall and the size of the orchestra.
Barenboim goes with the traditional layout with 2nd violins on the right side: cello and bass on left. And it's a big sound; not everybody's cup of tea, but the sound is as good as it gets on Redbook.

 

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I was looking for the recommended Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin cycle on Amazon and found one released by Teldec and other by Warner Classics. Are they the same recording or did Barenboim recorded the cycle more than once with the same orchestra?

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Nin...1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1380287679&sr=1-1&keywords=beethoven+symphonies+barenboim

and

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Sym...3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1380287706&sr=1-3&keywords=beethoven+symphonies+barenboim

 

I'll have to agree with davinci's suggestion of the Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin. This was my second set (my first being Furtwangler) and the sound quality and performances are to a consistently high standard. Much, much better than his cycle with the W-E Divan Orchestra.

I must admit though, the Harnoncourt looks very good too (I've just discovered him fairly recently through his symphonic cycles of Schubert and Schumann and I am very impressed with his and his orchestras performances and sound quality). I'm curious about those recordings myself now.

 

The Vanska cycle that you already have is what you are looking for. Excellent cycle.

 

Thanks friends. I pulled the trigger on all of the recommendations: Harnoncourt, Gardiner and Barenboim.

I'm excited to check them out...

 

I just come back from shopping. I bought the Barenboim/Staatskapelle set on Warner Classics in HMV for £14. If that's not a bargain, then I don't know what is. Now I'm going to settle down and listen to my two current faves (no.s 6 and 9)

 

Vänskä and Harnoncourt

 

COE/Harnoncourt, Bremen CO/Paavo Jarvi. The latter in DVD box, or LPs--strangely, no CD box yet, if ever.

 

Thinking on this thread, I've ended up picking up the Harnoncourt cycle as mentioned by davinci myself.

 

My favorite Beethoven cycle now is Kletzki / Czech PO. I have so much Beethoven, I didn't think I'd find another one that made me sit up and take notice, but this one is it.

 

Gardiner and Harnoncourt kill Beethoven, but Jarvi and Vanska don't, if you really want a HIP cycle. Chailly has the best sound of all cycles I would say, but the performances (the conductor's choices of speed, tempo annd many other factors) are an acquired taste. If you are into his style, the sound and the playing by the Gewandhaus is out of this Earth.

 

I have quite a few Chailly recordings...wasn't aware of his Beethoven. I see the box set is very expensive. How would you describe his Beethoven; I know that is subjective, but please try.

 

Light, airy, fast. Italianate. If you have ever heard Chailly's Bach's St Matthew Passion, you'd probay agree he somewhat makes it sound italian, or even Mozartean. His Beethoven recent cycle is like that. Is a good heir of Toscanini's legendary NBC one. The playing of the orchestra can't be any better, and the recording sound is crystal clear and balanced, perfect. The cycle could be the best ever for someone with that taste in Beethoven. For me, it takes some drama, some "romanticism", some tragedy, some struggle out, away from the music. Some moments work well (his 4th is good, his 8th is good, the first movement of the Eroica is great), but some, for me, are disappointing (the rest of the Eroica, the 7th -which should be great but isn't-, his 9th (specially the glorious first movement). What sounds like chaos and cataclysm with others sounds just like a little storm with Chailly. So you get an idea, think that Furtwangler's slow but heart-stopping rendition of the adagio of the 9th is the best I've heard. I'm not all for slow speeds (they can be bad, Karl Bohm's 9th for me is another disaster, worse than Chailly's by far) but I'm all for emotion and drama, and Chailly is weak on that. But if you like clear sound, clear textures, amazing playing, and a light, speedy touch for your Ludwig, you can't go wrong with Chailly. Hell, it sounds so well that it might even grow on me one day.

 

Thanks for the reply. I like many diff interpretations of Ludwig Van...from Furtwangler slow to Gardiner fast and HIP. But I'm not too keen on Toscanini.
No cycle is perfect, but I'll check out some samples and the individual releases. No wonder it's in good sound...it's on Decca.

 

Yow! Toscanini's Beethoven is about as far from light and airy and Mozartian as you can get! He's pure fire and fury!

 

Yes, I'd say Chailly brings Toscanini speed but leaves out some fury. Chailly is somewhat literal, light on interpretation. I forgot to mention his is not a HIP performance though. There are elements in there but there's a healthy dose of vibrato.

 

Just a note for those who don't know this. Bruno Walter's set of Beethoven symphonies with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra is available (download only) in fantastic Sony remasters --for nine bucks! His symphonies #2 and #4 are hard to beat, and the Pastoral -- well, it's simply the finest performance of the stereo era. Trust me on this!

The recordings are very good, far better than the original Columbia reissues (which weren't bad to start with). This set is a bargain and a necessary supplement to sets like the Chailly, Gardiner and others that shine less in the even-numbered symphonies.

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Vol...he-Symphonies/dp/B0050I2ZOQ/ref=sr_shvl_album_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1357619347&sr=301-4

 

Bruno Walter's set of Beethoven symphonies with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra is available (download only) in fantastic Sony remasters --for nine bucks! His symphonies #2 and #4 are hard to beat, and the Pastoral -- well, it's simply the finest performance of the stereo era. Trust me on this!

It's also available in a CD box set. I totally agree with your estimation of 2, 4, and 6. But I would add 8 to the "first rate" category. I thought Karajan '63 excelled in the odd numbered symphonies; Walter neatly complemented him by doing a standout job in the even symphonies.

I listened to the Harnoncourt set and thought it was very good in most symphonies, (much better than Zinman...) But I don't think I need to own the set as I have both Walter and Karajan '63. I would always prefer listening to one or the other instead of Harnoncourt, or anyone else, at least for now and the next few years!

I've listened to a few other in their best efforts (Bohm in 6, Kleiber in 5,...) but still prefer Water and Karajan '63

 

Does anyone know of a site where the Karajan SACD cycle is downloadable in 24-bit format?
Thanks in advance.

 

I have the Chailly which, as someone says, sounds incredible. I do find the performances exciting but a bit unrelenting. But perhaps they will grow on me too. Certainly worth hearing. I got the box when it was on offer for just over twenty quid.
For me the best all round is Karajan.
I also have Toscanini but the sound is relatively poor. Performances are tremendous.
If you want something slower and more rugged then why not give Klemperer a try? I actually have two sets of his, one studio the other live broadcasts. The old guy was a slow coach but he knew how to build a performance. The ninth live is a really great build up to the Ode to Joy.
I got Harnoncourt as a cheap download for eight quid together with the violin concerto and Missa Solemnis. Great bargain. He deserves hearing in the symphonies. For me he doesn't kill them.
Don't forget Kleiber in 5 & 7 which are really special.

 

I'm having a difficult time finding good quality Furtwängler on CD. I'm looking for single sets, rather than taking a chance on the full cycle. So far this remaster has the best mono transfer.

Any recommendations on recent Furtwängler remasters?

 

I'm having a difficult time finding good quality Furtwängler on CD. I'm looking for single sets, rather than taking a chance on the full cycle. So far this remaster has the best mono transfer.

View attachment 12245

Any recommendations on recent Furtwängler remasters?

I haven't seen any new transfers really. I don't know that there are any that sound "great" due to their age, but I have both of these sets and find them both to have as good as any.

This one with Symphonies 1-9

This one with Symphonies 3,4,5,6,7, & 9 + Leonore, No. 3 and Coriolan Overtures

They are all different versions and to me are the best you can get from Furtwangler other than maybe adding a couple individual recordings (like Tahra's release of the 9th from 1954).

But those box sets are probably the best we will ever get of Furtwangler's Beethoven recordings.

 

I couldn't help but notice, that "kill" has been used a couple of times. Does that mean good or bad? TIA for the answer.

 

Just for the record. The EMI box set is:
1. 1952 VPO

2. 1948 VPO

3. 1952 VPO

4. 1952 VPO

5. 1954 VPO

6. 1952 VPO

7. 1950 VPO

8. 1948 Stockholm Phil.

9. 1951 Bayreuth

The M&A Box Set is:
3. 1944 VPO
4. 1943 BPO
5. 1943 BPO
6. 1943 BPO
7. 1943 BPO
9. 1942 BPO

In general I don't think Furtwangler's Interpretations change much. There are little things here and there, but he doesn't change his readings in some dramatic fashion. The EMI set has the best sound quality (obviously they were from the 50's instead of 40's), but if you want a nice collection of his War Time Beethoven and Post War Beethoven, these two sets are well worth the asking price, as long as you can listen to "Historical Recordings" without crying over the imperfect sound quality.

 

Just for the record. The EMI box set is:
1. 1952 VPO

2. 1948 VPO

3. 1952 VPO

4. 1952 VPO

5. 1954 VPO

6. 1952 VPO

7. 1950 VPO

8. 1948 Stockholm Phil.

9. 1951 Bayreuth

The M&A Box Set is:
3. 1944 VPO
4. 1943 BPO
5. 1943 BPO
6. 1943 BPO
7. 1943 BPO
9. 1942 BPO

In general I don't think Furtwangler's Interpretations change much. There are little things here and there, but he doesn't change his readings in some dramatic fashion. The EMI set has the best sound quality (obviously they were from the 50's instead of 40's), but if you want a nice collection of his War Time Beethoven and Post War Beethoven, these two sets are well worth the asking price, as long as you can listen to "Historical Recordings" without crying over the imperfect sound quality.

realdealblues, I think I'll go for the EMI solely based on sound quality. Thanks for providing me with some first-hand knowledge.

 

My first set was Szell's, way back when I was in high school around 1970, so that's the one I "imprinted" on and still turn to first. You'll probably have to piece it together from individual CDs (Sony Essential Classics) unless you want to pay the collector's-level price for the "Original Jacket" reissue from 2004.

I have Gardiner, Vänskä and Furtwängler which have been mentioned already, and which are all good sets, although for different reasons.

I also have Klemperer who I don't think has been mentioned yet. I remember being impressed with it when I first bought that set about ten years ago and listened to it during a long car trip. Slow and granitic, unlike my usual preference for brisk readings like Szell and Gardiner, but nevertheless I enjoyed it. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'll have to dig it out and listen to it again!

 

Immerseel's HIP cycle with Anima Eterna is quite a treat. Sure, it's a smaller orchestra, but it doesn't sound small. Each symphony is personal preference. I will say, his fifth is a breath of fresh air.

I like the sound on Immerseel's the best. You sound closer to the instruments. For modern though, I love Barernboim's cycle.

It really depends on what you like.

The best thing I can say to do, is try several out. I don't believe any one set rules them all. Bernstein's 9th with Kurt Moll is amazing, but I really don't like the sound.