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Beethoven symphony cycle with the best sound and performance

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#21 ·
tgtr0660 said:
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.
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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.
 
#23 ·
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.
 
#24 · (Edited)
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?
 
#26 ·
davinci said:
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?
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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
Image


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


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.
 
#27 ·
davinci said:
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?
Click to expand...
I don't know if this is the one in that box set from EMI, but this is the one that I have, and enjoy greatly - the 9th symphony recorded in 1951 at Bayreuth.
 
#29 ·
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.
 
#30 ·
realdealblues said:
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.
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realdealblues, I think I'll go for the EMI solely based on sound quality. Thanks for providing me with some first-hand knowledge.
 
#33 ·
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!
 
#34 ·
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.
 
#36 ·
Jerome said:
I recently acquired the Paavo Jarvi set and it is now my favorite by a mile.
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The only issue with the Paavo Järvi set for me is the third movement of the Ninth, which is my favourite Beethoven movement of all. Järvi doesn't quite endow the performance with enough passion for me; it sounds very laid-back. The climax of the movement should soar, but for me it doesn't in his otherwise very good cycle.
 
#39 ·
Jerome said:
I recently acquired the Paavo Jarvi set and it is now my favorite by a mile.
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It is my favorite for some time now. Great orchestra size/playing, right tempos, attention to details. In my opinion it has the best of modern orchestra and HIP.
 
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#40 ·
I would definitely recommend you the Cycle By Paavo Järvi and the Deutches Kammerphilharmonie Bremen for its sound qualities and quality of performences !

It is separated in 5 CDs (Each symphonies paired with another one except for the Ninth) But it is really worthing it :)
 
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