New DG COmplete Beethoven Edition for 2020

[Bryn]

What do folk here make of this? If I 'pre-ordered' could anyone here make use of the 2 'free' tickets to the Munich Polini concert? I wound not be in a position to use them myself, but would not want them to go to waste. Perhaps I should put them on ebay at an extortionate 'buy now' price.

More info.

Or would it be better to wait and see if a lower price turns up elsewhere?

[Ein Heldenleben]

I’d wait for a cheaper price.... also Pollini’s Beethoven is, for me , though note perfect a little antiseptic. This did remind me that I still have the vinyl Kempff volume of the 1970 complete DG and also the Karajan symphonies. Ars longa etc etc

[Bryn]

I’d wait for a cheaper price.... also Pollini’s Beethoven is, for me , though note perfect a little antiseptic. This did remind me that I still have the vinyl Kempff volume of the 1970 complete DG and also the Karajan symphonies. Ars longa etc etc

Likewise re. those and other relevant vinyls. Worse still, I already have the Karajan Symphonies, both the '60s and the '70s on Blu-ray. However, at around £2 per disc . . . , and there would surely be some market value to the duplicate discs?

[Ein Heldenleben]

When I bought the Kempff it was the single most expensive thing I had ever bought . A very generous present from my parents . However a gift like that really does last a lifetime ...

[Bryn]

When I bought the Kempff it was the single most expensive thing I had ever bought . A very generous present from my parents . However a gift like that really does last a lifetime ...

My 1970 sets were purchased from Orchesography and most had an additional small diameter hole drilled or punched through the label, indicating that they were either review copies of over-runs. They were also rather less than half-price.

[cloughie]

Do I need another slab of Beethoven - probably not. Do I need another slab of Beethoven with what will be a big percentage of duplicates and blu-ray audio discs I cannot play - NO.

[Dave2002]

Munich is a fun place to go and see. I'm not sure that I'd go all that way to see Pollini play Beethoven, though I did go to his RFH concert earlier this year. Some of that was lovely - but it was one of the simplest sounding pieces which blew me away. I'm not sure that late Beethoven would have quite the same effect, though if he comes back to the UK soon I'd probably put the date in my diary and try to get tickets. The Munich concert is on 27th September this year.

Without the teaser of a "free" concert I'd be inclined to just wait and see how prices drop later on - unless one really wants "yet another slab of Beethoven", as one of us has expressed it recently.

For anyone for whom this is a "must have" item, by all means go ahead.

This reminds me that I must set up my Blu-Ray machine to test out the one Blu-Ray Audio disc I now have, though I'm not in a hurry.

[richardfinegold]

I’ve been playing through the Pollini Beethoven set after I had pulled it out for the Appassionata thread. I’ve also heard him in recital, and the Tempest Sonata was on the program. I used to dislike his late Beethoven but have come around to it. Kempff is a good supplement to him, sort of the anti Pollini...anywho, this collection would be oodles of duplication for me, as it would for most of us. Who really buys these things?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Who really buys these things?

I bought the Mozart 225 box when it appeared a couple of years ago - one of my treasures now; but, miraculously, I had only 3 duplications from it. The Bach box not only contained many, many more duplications, but also quite a few performances that I'd previously owned and got rid of because I didn't like them. Far, far too many duplications in this new box - but, if this hadn't been the case, I'd've been up for a Complete Beethoven (and Bach).

My Bank Manager is probably grateful.

[Alison]

Bryn loves a complete edition!

[Bryn]

Bryn loves a complete edition!

Not too sure about this one though. There's a lot to be weighed up. I am not exactly short of Beethoven recordings. Will the new recordings and rarities sway me? They are being crafty on including a wide range of performers for the various genres. for instance.

[Dave2002]

I’ve been playing through the Pollini Beethoven set after I had pulled it out for the Appassionata thread. I’ve also heard him in recital, and the Tempest Sonata was on the program. I used to dislike his late Beethoven but have come around to it. Kempff is a good supplement to him, sort of the anti Pollini...anywho, this collection would be oodles of duplication for me, as it would for most of us. Who really buys these things?

I should perhaps mention that I paid more than I would normally to hear Pollini at the RFH - at least £50 - can't quite remember. So if anyone wants to consider a trip to Munich, and has a companion to go with, it might be a reasonable thing to do - the free tickets representing (arguably) about £100 off the total cost. Of course the total trip would cost a lot more than that. The art galleries in Munich - including the Pinakotheke - are brilliant, and the Residenz is well worth a visit. With more time, visit the Villa Stuck.

https://www.planetware.com/germany/top-rated-museums-and-art-galleries-in-munich-d-zzz-13.htm

[Ein Heldenleben]

Just remembered I’ve got the Brilliant complete Beethoven Masterpieces . I think it cost me £40-50 maybe even less . Has the Zinman Tonhalle symphonies etc. To be honest I think I now prefer these to my DG Karajan versions which I listened to so many times in my teens I practically knew them by heart .

[Bryn]

Just remembered I’ve got the Brilliant complete Beethoven Masterpieces . I think it cost me £40-50 maybe even less . Has the Zinman Tonhalle symphonies etc. To be honest I think I now prefer these to my DG Karajan versions which I listened to so many times in my teens I practically knew them by heart .

I paid all of £27 but it’s a Sony group, not a Brilliant box. The Brilliant box has appeared in a number of different versions but their original version had the GHOL/Masur for the Symphonies.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I see the 85 CD Brilliant complete LVB is on amazon for £93 - bargain if ever there was one?