Beethoven Symphony Cycles

[Petrushka]

Extra Eroicas in New York (NBC) and Stuttgart, extra 5th with the SKB (recently reissued by DG in the SKB 450 box), 6th is actually 5 the extras being with the Czech PO (in the Great Conductors of the 20th C release) Cologne and NDR

Wasn’t being unfriendly :-)

There's also another Erich Kleiber Beethoven 5 in the RCO125 box, a live performance with the Concertgebouw Orchestra from April 28 1950.

[BBMmk2]

A number of conductors didn’t do cycles, Erich Kleiber 3 (x2), 5, 6 (x2), 7, 9 ; Reiner 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9; Munch 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Previn (RCA) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and (EMI) 5 & 7, Carlos Kleiber 4, 5, 6, 7. Maybe a few of these worth not overlooking in 2020!

I wonder what Previn’s is like. I haven’t heard t yet.

[Barbirollians]

Erich Kleiber's Decca Beethoven records are marvellous - the LPO Pastoral and the VPO Eroica in particular.

[Barbirollians]

I have been acquainting myself with the Adam Fischer set . Lots of HIPP influence , fast speeds and little vibrato. I liked the First a great deal , the Second a little less but I felt that the Eroica was very lightweight indeed. The Marcia Funebre does not skip like Chailly’s but it did not seem to do more than skate over the surface and the shock that I always think one should get from how different the Eroica is from what has come before is missing and frankly the finale is rather boring . It is also marred by sudden throwing on of the brakes and pauses .

Playing the mono but sensational VPO/Kleiber afterwards was perhaps unfair. Playing it before though would have been much more unfair.

Apart from a very jolting switch from the slow introduction in the First movement the Fourth it is coupled with is much better.

[mikealdren]

Yes I agree Barbs. I've gone to the other extreme listening to the Krips LSO cycle most of which which I grew up with (mono World Record Club LPs, we didn't have stereo). The 9th and pastoral so far. Beautifully lyrical and comforting, he really makes them sing and they are just as lovely as I remember, everything just right with nothing over stated or over emphasised.

[richardfinegold]

I just purchased the big Sony Bruno Walter box and have started off with his Stereo Beethoven recordings. I only previously knew 4 and 6 and yesterday enjoyed 2,4, &5. The remastering are superb

[BBMmk2]

I just purchased the big Sony Bruno Walter box and have started off with his Stereo Beethoven recordings. I only previously knew 4 and 6 and yesterday enjoyed 2,4, &5. The remastering are superb

Sounds tempting!

[Petrushka]

I just purchased the big Sony Bruno Walter box and have started off with his Stereo Beethoven recordings. I only previously knew 4 and 6 and yesterday enjoyed 2,4, &5. The remastering are superb

There's treasure in that box! The earlier mono Beethoven discs aren't bad either and very well remastered.

[LMcD]

Does anybody know, or have any views on, the Wyn Morris/LSO cycle? I ask only because it's turned up in our charity shop and I could probably persuade the manager to let me have it for a few quid. (It's £28.44 on Amazon).

[Dave2002]

I just purchased the big Sony Bruno Walter box and have started off with his Stereo Beethove. n recordings. I only previously knew 4 and 6 and yesterday enjoyed 2,4, &5. The remastering are superb

Is that one which is still available in the USA? I have quite a lot of Walter’s works, on LPs and CDs, but the boxes which are available in the UK now don’t seem too attractive, or affordable. Maybe that’s just my impression though.

[Dave2002]

Does anybody know, or have any views on, the Wyn Morris/LSO cycle? I ask only because it's turned up in our charity shop and I could probably persuade the manager to let me have it for a few quid. (It's £28.44 on Amazon).

Not really sure, but for a few pounds probably worth a punt.

[cloughie]

Does anybody know, or have any views on, the Wyn Morris/LSO cycle? I ask only because it's turned up in our charity shop and I could probably persuade the manager to let me have it for a few quid. (It's £28.44 on Amazon).

Yes it is very good - I bought them when they first came out, mid 80s - in fact my first Beethoven Sym set on CD. A good £5 worth at charity shop rates methinks!

[LMcD]

Yes it is very good - I bought them when they first came out, mid 80s - in fact my first Beethoven Sym set on CD. A good £5 worth at charity shop rates methinks!

Thanks - I shall pop into t'shop tomorrow!

[richardfinegold]

There's treasure in that box! The earlier mono Beethoven discs aren't bad either and very well remastered.

Is there ever! I just listened to the Triple Concerto disc, recorded in 1949, not only a great performance but I kept thinking this must be stereo...

[Barbirollians]

I must start on that Walter box . Do try the Rhenish from 1941 I think.

Back to Adam Fischer I really enjoyed both the Fifth and the Pastoral where there seemed to be less point making. I cannot say the same for the Seventh and Eighth which struck me as frantic,noisy and charmless.