Gunter Wand. Not even close to being HIP. Takes time to smell the glorious roses. Just the way I like it in Beethoven. My favorite Beethoven symphony set among the seven that I own.
If You Could Only Have One Beethoven Symphony Cycle
What one would it be?
This would be a no-brainer for me if Fricsay had a full cycle. But since he does not, i am kind of inclined towards Gunter Wand (but if I keep listening to the Hanover Band cycle, that may change). However, that is out of my current collection which includes full cycles of Hanover Band, Wand, Szell, Ferencsik, and Liebowitz (I had Walter but got rid of it as too stodgy, but am told I should have kept if for his 6th). I am interested in what others would pick for their sole Beethoven symphony cycle and why.
NOTE: I started this thread because I think the results will be very interesting, but also because we don't have enough Beethoven symphony cycle threads on this site. :lol:
This would be a no-brainer for me if Fricsay had a full cycle. But since he does not, i am kind of inclined towards Gunter Wand (but if I keep listening to the Hanover Band cycle, that may change). However, that is out of my current collection which includes full cycles of Hanover Band, Wand, Szell, Ferencsik, and Liebowitz (I had Walter but got rid of it as too stodgy, but am told I should have kept if for his 6th). I am interested in what others would pick for their sole Beethoven symphony cycle and why.
NOTE: I started this thread because I think the results will be very interesting, but also because we don't have enough Beethoven symphony cycle threads on this site. :lol:
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I completely agree re: Fricsay. What a shame that upon his death we basically got von Karajan! Only Ronald Reagan comes close to his "emperor's new clothes" syndrome.
I have a few complete cycles (e.g. Barenboim, Bernstein/VPO), but they do not contain what I experience as close to the best recordings of any of the symphonies.
I have a few complete cycles (e.g. Barenboim, Bernstein/VPO), but they do not contain what I experience as close to the best recordings of any of the symphonies.
Klemperer or Bohm or Bernstein DG or Walter or Konwitchny or Furtwangler
That Bernstein cycle keeps haunting me. Suspect I won't be satisfied until I have it.
By the way, there is an Immerseel cycle out there for $13 and free shipping, in good used condition, that tempted me yesterday, but I thought better of it since I already have a HIP in the Hanover Band.
By the way, there is an Immerseel cycle out there for $13 and free shipping, in good used condition, that tempted me yesterday, but I thought better of it since I already have a HIP in the Hanover Band.
Wand, because this interpretation touches the mind more than it touches the soul, and this I like
and Abbado with BPO, what a tempo and a very unusual sound, also brainy
and Abbado with BPO, what a tempo and a very unusual sound, also brainy
I would pick a HIP version as well. But I simply could not choose which ones. So many excellent ones that have recorded these symphonies that are the central heart of western Classical music.
Probably Chailly. It has the best of both worlds: original tempi and big modern orchestra.
If You Could Only Have One Beethoven Symphony Cycle... I'd be very sad.
Not happening honestly. I can't just stick to one.
Too bad Kleiber never delivered a complete cycle.
Too bad Kleiber never delivered a complete cycle.
I only ever heard Fricsay's 7th, but it was a favorite of mine for many years. I've heard very few complete cycles -- but on the basis of a 7th, 8th, 9th, and Leonore 3 I would love to hear Schmidt-Isserstedt's complete cycle.
Karajan '77, though the Eroica lets the set down and so I'll need to keep Klemperer's
Or for HIP: Hogwood, though the Pastoral lets the set down...but that's my least played work of the nine anyway so it doesn't matter much.
Or for HIP: Hogwood, though the Pastoral lets the set down...but that's my least played work of the nine anyway so it doesn't matter much.
I have the Abbado and it is nice but sometimes I want him to "slow down" a bit.Wand, because this interpretation touches the mind more than it touches the soul, and this I like
and Abbado with BPO, what a tempo and a very unusual sound, also brainy
I will take Karajan with the BPO 1963. I really like 3, 5 and 8 in that set. The only drawback is the sound quality. Some sets like Wand, Abbado, or Gardiner have better sound but the music is not better than the Karajan. He is the master when it comes to the heroic stuff, mainly 3 and 5.
Thank God we can all have more than one Beethoven set.
Thank God we can all have more than one Beethoven set.
I really want that recent Chailly and Thielemann cycles for sure.Probably Chailly. It has the best of both worlds: original tempi and big modern orchestra.
I don't know if Thielemann would be right for me. I've seem a performance of his Eroica on YouTube which sounded really bland and uninspired. Perhaps he was just having a bad day that day and his Beethoven usually is exciting and emotional....but I haven't heard much said about Thielemann in general, other than the fact that he used to look like Augustus Gloop (not the Tim Burton film) when he was younger.I really want that recent Chailly and Thielemann cycles for sure.
My favorite set is by Szell, even though he didn't conduct my favorite version of any particular symphony. I like the cool, precise, classical approach. It's the one I turn to if I just want to let LVB roll for a few hours.
Really tough choice. My top three are Furtwängler, Szell and Paavo Järvi but due to the superb sound quality, I would probably go for Paavo Järvi. They're all superb though.
you got it hpI have the Abbado and it is nice but sometimes I want him to "slow down" a bit.
that's why it is unusual hahaha
matter of taste
1 - 20 of 225 Posts
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