Beethoven Symphony Cycles

[HighlandDougie]

It's a pity that his LSO set has not made it to SACD, DVD-A or Blu-ray in surround format.

Indeed - the Tower Records Japan Definition Series SACD box is, if my memory of inspecting it in Tokyo is correct, firmly 2-channel. Multi-channel SACDs are, I suspect, a bit infra-dig for Japanese audiophiles.

[Dave2002]

On the contrary, it's very easy to keep the book in near pristine condition. It just needs to be treated with reasonable care.

Depends what you mean by "near pristine". Mine is only a day or two old, but you can tell that I've opened many of the pages as they no longer stick together as they once did. Someone really picky might object to that.

[richardfinegold]

Very interesting box, though the CD "cases" are not great - carboard sleeves which doesn't even allow the CDs to come out easily. I didn't expect a lot of the material in the collection. The book which comes with it has some rather unexpected details - schedules of recordings etc. There are quite a number of 78 rpm transfers - presumably that's what they are.

I'm not sure if it's exhaustive - I'd have to check further. I have some of the other boxes with Walter as conductor - which also have several different versions of what are now well known symphonies, particularly the ones by Mahler. Of course the box doesn't have any of the works with non American orchestras. I always liked this one with the VPO- https://www.discogs.com/Mozart-Vienn...elease/2884909 -VPO Mozart K525 which I'm amazed to discover dates from 1937. I think I have a couple of the 78s in my cupboard still, though naturally I don't have working equipment to play them!

The Fanfare reviewer commented on the difficulty extracting the discs. I haven’t found it as difficult as you and he did. I have found that once initially extracted, on repeat playing the extraction is easier. I like Petrouchka glove suggestion, but honestly, I have always found that soap and water works for fingerprints on CDs, with no sonic detriment.

[Barbirollians]

Recordings I have long heard of but never heard are the Weingartner recordings .
Picked up a couple of the Naxos remasterings and what a joy they are .

No’s 1,2,7 and particularly 8 - very straightforward and very modern sounding as a result really refreshing after the Adam Fischer mannerisms.

[mikealdren]

Travelling in the car yesterday, I switched to Radio 3 to be greeted by a fabulous performance of the first movement of the 7th symphony. I listened transfixed and was not surprised to hear it was Carlos Kleiber. John Elliot Gardiner had some interesting views on HIPP but his performances, for me, didn't justify his comments, they were unmemorable.

The biggest surprise was the last movement of the 7th with Zinman, probably my favourite cycle. It was very rigidly metronomic, it didn't dance and I didn't like it at all. Must listen again today.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As I said recently, tomorrow is (probably) Beethoven 250 day, so I'm repeating my 16.12.1970 pilgrimage of the complete symphony cycle. Since that day, 50 years ago, Barry Cooper has done a realisation of the first movement of the 10th symphony, so I'll be including that as well.
Only one version (Erich Kleiber's Eroica) will be the same recording as last time.

[Barbirollians]

As I said recently, tomorrow is (probably) Beethoven 250 day, so I'm repeating my 16.12.1970 pilgrimage of the complete symphony cycle. Since that day, 50 years ago, Barry Cooper has done a realisation of the first movement of the 10th symphony, so I'll be including that as well.
Only one version (Erich Kleiber's Eroica) will be the same recording as last time.

Which Erich Kleiber Eroica Concertgebouw or VPO ?

[visualnickmos]

Last few days, in a random order, I've been spinning Muti's set with the Philadelphia. Time well spent. Lively and fresh-sounding.

[Barbirollians]

Last few days, in a random order, I've been spinning Muti's set with the Philadelphia. Time well spent. Lively and fresh-sounding.

No 7 is very fine I think in the Muti set.

[visualnickmos]

No 7 is very fine I think in the Muti set.

Something to savour, later today! Haven't spun that one yet..... There are many mighty fine LvB 7s in various sets; Solti / Chicago for one....

[BBMmk2]

I’m having Gardner’s Beethoven Box Set, for Christmas, so can’t wait to hear hear the symphonies.

[richardfinegold]

Something to savour, later today! Haven't spun that one yet..... There are many mighty fine LvB 7s in various sets; Solti / Chicago for one....

The Solti is my favorite Seventh

[Alison]

The Solti is my favorite Seventh

Is that first or second Chicago cycle please?

[Bryn]

I’m having Gardner’s Beethoven Box Set, for Christmas, so can’t wait to hear hear the symphonies.

Not a boxed set for me. The bonus disc and the Violin Concerto with its Ottavio Dantone cadenzas are the only recordings in the set that I do not already have. So. currently streaming is that Mullova performance of Op. 61.

Anyway, BBNmk2, ate you aware of this: https://monteverdi.co.uk/john-eliot-...ven-symphonies

[cloughie]

Is that first or second Chicago cycle please?

There’s also the VPO 3 5 & 7!