Beethoven Symphony Cycles

[Barbirollians]

Finally ,as to the Konwitschny cycle I rather enjoyed the Eighth even if it does not have the fizz of versions such as the 1962 Karajan . The Ninth is a very traditional reading . The first movement rather lacks mystery , the scherzo and adagio are well played again though not particularly moving - I liked the finale - it is extremely well sung by chorus and solo quartet which one cannot always say us the case albeit not transcendental.

[Barbirollians]

I bought the Chailly cycle recently as Amazon had reduced it to £14 - 5 CDs with a number of overtures. I have avoided the Eroica so far . 1 and 2 were bright and well played but not particularly indiviudal . Leonore No 3 exciting at the speeds taken but a bit lightweight for me .

The CD of 5 and 6 was much better IMO . The Fifth in particular was gripping and the Pastoral was very good too especially the storm and finale .

[Petrushka]

I bought the Chailly cycle recently as Amazon had reduced it to £14 - 5 CDs with a number of overtures. I have avoided the Eroica so far . 1 and 2 were bright and well played but not particularly indiviudal . Leonore No 3 exciting at the speeds taken but a bit lightweight for me .

The CD of 5 and 6 was much better IMO . The Fifth in particular was gripping and the Pastoral was very good too especially the storm and finale .

There's a point of interest in the finale of the 9th in Chailly's recording where the choral sopranos carry on the line to tremendous effect, sounding like pealing bells. I've got over 50 versions of the 9th, including those using the most up to date editions, and no other does this.

Sorry I can't provide a score reference or timing right now but anyone who has this recording will know where I mean. In the booklet, Chailly says that he went back to the old Peters edition taking into account modifications by Szell and Markevich.

Anyone know where he got this from?

[Barbirollians]

Chailly’s 7th I found rather unrelenting - his 8th much better .Egmont just a bit too much of a rush .

[Barbirollians]

Chailly’s Ninth is outstanding - maybe at his tempos not the most mysterious first movement but a thrilling scherzo an Adagio that’s not too fast and a splendidly built well sung finale .

[Barbirollians]

The Eroica is just way too fast throughout . The first movement is lightweight , the Marcia Funebre sounds like a celebration the hero has died and the finale sounds like the Creatures of Prometheus have taken amphetamines.

[silvestrione]

The Eroica is just way too fast throughout . The first movement is lightweight , the Marcia Funebre sounds like a celebration the hero has died and the finale sounds like the Creatures of Prometheus have taken amphetamines.