Beethoven Symphony Cycles

[visualnickmos]

Is that first or second Chicago cycle please?

Solti made TWO Chicago cycles? Can you elucidate..... thanks.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

which erich kleiber eroica concertgebouw or vpo ?

VPO

All 9.25 symphonies listened to today.

[cloughie]

Solti made TWO Chicgao cycles? Can you elucidate..... thanks.

The analogue version from early 1970s which reputedly included every repeat and the DDD one from the 80s - which I have not heard so cannot comment upon - it is not widely available now except in the complete Chicago box. Being a Soltiphile I would love to have but the big Solti CSO box had too many duplications. Alison or Petrushka I think have the set and may be able to elaborate more on the differences between performances. The VPO, late50s/early 60s performances are typical swift Solti performances, and additionaly there is an LPO mono, early 50s recording on Eloquence.

[visualnickmos]

The analogue version from early 1970s which reputedly included every repeat and the DDD one from the 80s - which I have not heard so cannot comment upon - it is not widely available now except in the complete Chicago box. Being a Soltiphile I would love to have but the big Solti CSO box had too many duplications. Alison or Petrushka I think have the set and may be able to elaborate more on the differences between performances. The VPO, late50s/early 60s performances are typical swift Solti performances, and additionaly there is an LPO mono, early 50s recording on Eloquence.

Thank you. I too, do not have the later set, but I find the 1970s set a top-drawer cycle. I would still be keen to compare with the later set.

[Bryn]

The analogue version from early 1970s which reputedly included every repeat and the DDD one from the 80s - which I have not heard so cannot comment upon - it is not widely available now except in the complete Chicago box. Being a Soltiphile I would love to have but the big Solti CSO box had too many duplications. Alison or Petrushka I think have the set and may be able to elaborate more on the differences between performances. The VPO, late50s/early 60s performances are typical swift Solti performances, and additionally, there is an LPO mono, early 50s recording on Eloquence.

I'm not too eager to listen to both of Solti's Chicago sets at the moment but it is noticeable that the earlier set has longer durations than the digital recordings.

[cloughie]

Thank you. I too, do not have the later set, but I find the 1970s set a top-drawer cycle. I would still be keen to compare with the later set.

I agree - I remember receiving the 70s LP box and the additional disc with his conversation with William Mann - Even back then I had a duplication problem - the Choral which had been out a year or two earlier spaciously spread on 4 sides.

[cloughie]

I'm not too eager to listen to both of Solti's Chicago sets at the moment but it is noticeable that the earlier set has longer durations than the digital recordings.

Yes he’d probably decided that one or two repeats weren’t essential and he really let the music breathe in those 70s performances. I’m sure Bryn you would question whether he observed LvB’s metronome suggestions!

[Bryn]

Yes he’d probably decided that one or two repeats weren’t essential and he really let the music breathe in those 70s performances. I’m sure Bryn you would question whether he observed LvB’s metronome suggestions!

Another reason I am not too eager to give time to listening to them.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I agree - I remember receiving the 70s LP box and the additional disc with his conversation with William Mann - Even back then I had a duplication problem - the Choral which had been out a year or two earlier spaciously spread on 4 sides.

That was very extravagant. It was normal to spread it over 3 sides if the side turn in the middle of the 3rd movement was to be avoided. 4-sided 9ths were rare, though the VPO/Erich Kleiber recording was originally issued in this way.

The first attempt to cram the work on to a single LP was produced by Vox, with the first 3 movements on side 1, with the finale given the entire side 2.

When Decca reissued the analogue Solti recording on a single LP, they fitted movements 3 & 4 on side 2 - and incredible technical achievement. One Gramophone critic joked that the opportunity had been missed to include a filler. EMI responded by issuing Klemperer's recording with the Fidelio Overture preceding the first movement of the symphony, on side 1.

[cloughie]

That was very extravagant. It was normal to spread it over 3 sides if the side turn in the middle of the 3rd movement was to be avoided. 4-sided 9ths were rare, though the VPO/Erich Kleiber recording was originally issued in this way.

The first attempt to cram the work on to a single LP was produced by Vox, with the first 3 movements on side 1, with the finale given the entire side 2.

When Decca reissued the analogue Solti recording on a single LP, they fitted movements 3 & 4 on side 2 - and incredible technical achievement. One Gramophone critic joked that the opportunity had been missed to include a filler. EMI responded by issuing Klemperer's recording with the Fidelio Overture preceding the first movement of the symphony, on 6side 1.

Was the Vox Horenstein with the VPM? The other ‘early’ -well mid 60s - movts 1 2 3 on Side 1 -37mins was BSO Munch on RCA Victrola - the Kleiber 9 had three pressings on LXT initially on 4 sides, then 3 sides with the VPO/Schuricht Sym 1 and then on 2 sides - then it appeared on Eclipse with both mono and fake stereo versions.

[Barbirollians]

VPO

All 9.25 symphonies listened to today.

Very wise I reckon I much prefer the VPO I find it the most profound and wonderful recording of the Eroica .

[cloughie]

Very wise I reckon I much prefer the VPO I find it the most profound and wonderful recording of the Eroica .

Unless I am just imagining it at the time of its issue on ACL 35 the funeral march was split on to side 2.

[Goon525]

If I remember rightly there was a Hallé/Loughran version of the Eroica where Movements 4 and 1 were on one side of the LP, and the middle movements on t’other.

[Mario]

If I remember rightly there was a Hallé/Loughran version of the Eroica where Movements 4 and 1 were on one side of the LP, and the middle movements on t’other.

Absolutely correct Goon525, reviewed by Thomas Heinitz in Records and Recording.

The symphony started and finished in the middle track of both sides, necessitating a turnover of the LP twice.

Mario

[cloughie]

If I remember rightly there was a Hallé/Loughran version of the Eroica where Movements 4 and 1 were on one side of the LP, and the middle movements on t’other.

It had a locking groove which prevented deja vu! and it has never been issued on CD!