Klemperer - Beethoven: Orchestral recordings, symphonies & overtures

[visualnickmos]

... The concert on June 4 included the Violin Concerto with Szeryng but it isn't included in this set. Is it available?

It seems to be on Testament.

Regarding the symphonies, I'd very interested to hear your views once you've listened... I don't have this particular set.

[Petrushka]

It seems to be on Testament.

Regarding the symphonies, I'd very interested to hear your views once you've listened... I don't have this particular set.

This is the set I have http://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphonies-1...695342&sr=1-11. The Amazon review seems positive but will report back here once I've listened.

The Szeryng Beethoven VC on Testament is dated 1959 (according to the Testament website) and looks like a BBC recording so can't be the Vienna one. Worth getting all the same.

[verismissimo]

I asked One Who Knows and this is the answer I got:

CD 4 contains the stereo recording made in October, November and December 1960

CD 8 contains the experimental stereo recording made in October and December 1955, but this is the version that was originally released only in mono; the stereo version seems to have been issued for the first time in 1987. As you know, Legge disliked stereo and in those day he worked in the mono control room and it was the mono masters that were edited and approved. The experimental stereo recordings were done by Chris Parker in a separate control room without any reference to Legge. There may be more information about the stereo version of this recording in the booklet in the new set...

CD 10 contains the stereo version made in October 1968 (New Philharmonia)

[Barbirollians]

I am very fond of the 1950s 3,5 & 7 . I had some of the 1960s recordings on tape and found them rather heavy going - the slow tempo for the Scherzo of the Pastoral and the rather dry No 9 in particular.

The Testament Beethoven 9 that won BAL is pretty stupendous though.

I am much more tempted by the Romantic symphonies and Bruckner sets .

[Karafan]

I asked One Who Knows and this is the answer I got:

CD 4 contains the stereo recording made in October, November and December 1960

CD 8 contains the experimental stereo recording made in October and December 1955, but this is the version that was originally released only in mono; the stereo version seems to have been issued for the first time in 1987. As you know, Legge disliked stereo and in those day he worked in the mono control room and it was the mono masters that were edited and approved. The experimental stereo recordings were done by Chris Parker in a separate control room without any reference to Legge. There may be more information about the stereo version of this recording in the booklet in the new set...

CD 10 contains the stereo version made in October 1968 (New Philharmonia)

Thanks Verismissimo - great to have that confirmation!

Karafan