DG Vienna Philharmonic 50 CD Symphony Edition

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I couldn't resist this, even though it involved quite a bit of duplication.

The Levine set of the Mozart symphonies was better than I had anticipated, and was my main reason for buying the set.
The Beethoven cycle is a mixed set from Bernstein, Abbado, Bohm, and Kleiber, mostly very good.
Similarly the Brahms works are a blend of Bernstein, Giulini and Kleiber - all of 'em good.
Bernstein did all the Schumann works, though no. 1 suffers from some wiry recording.
Bruckner doesn't have a full cycle, with 2, 3 & 6 omitted, but with some of the best of Abbado, Karajan & Giulini.
A smattering of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, oSibelius and Shostakovitch symphonies seems rather random in view of the fact that there other DG VPO recordings that coulda have been incorporated.
2 & 7 are omitted from the Mahler cycle with Bernstein, Abbado and Boulez.

Perhaps an opportunity was missed by DG not collaborating with Decca, whose VPO symphony collection is considerable. The Decca versions are generally better recorded, and the missing bits of the Mendelssohn, Schubert, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Bruckner cycles could have been found from here, not to mention a Shostakovitch 5 and some more Haydn. From DG's own recordings, there could have been a Mahler 10 and a Dvorak 3.

[pastoralguy]

I bought it too, Alpine, but it's still in its plastic wrapping awaiting the day I'll have time to listen to it.

[silvestrione]

I couldn't resist this, even though it involved quite a bit of duplication.

The Levine set of the Mozart symphonies was better than I had anticipated, and was my main reason for buying the set.
The Beethoven cycle is a mixed set from Bernstein, Abbado, Bohm, and Kleiber, mostly very good.
Similarly the Brahms works are a blend of Bernstein, Giulini and Kleiber - all of 'em good.
Bernstein did all the Schumann works, though no. 1 suffers from some wiry recording.
Bruckner doesn't have a full cycle, with 2, 3 & 6 omitted, but with some of the best of Abbado, Karajan & Giulini.
A smattering of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, oSibelius and Shostakovitch symphonies seems rather random in view of the fact that there other DG VPO recordings that coulda have been incorporated.
2 & 7 are omitted from the Mahler cycle with Bernstein, Abbado and Boulez.

Perhaps an opportunity was missed by DG not collaborating with Decca, whose VPO symphony collection is considerable. The Decca versions are generally better recorded, and the missing bits of the Mendelssohn, Schubert, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Bruckner cycles could have been found from here, not to mention a Shostakovitch 5 and some more Haydn. From DG's own recordings, there could have been a Mahler 10 and a Dvorak 3.

That's helpful Alpens. There's also a detailed breakdown and review (mainly positive) in the current IRR.

[Petrushka]

I did wonder who this enormous set was aimed at when I saw it announced because VPO fans (I'm one of them!) will have collected most of these as they came out. However, glad to see that there are one or two satisfied customers.

It looks a wonderful set to have on the shelves but, alas, far too much duplication for me.

[BBMmk2]

Yes, completely agree with you there, petrushka. I just cannot see the point of this kind of promotion.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Presumably because people (like me) buy them. My duplication was less than one might expect. For eaxmple, I had none of the Carlos Kleiber symphony recordings, despite their almost legendary status.
The reason for not having bought these and others has been my ambivalence towards DG. In my youth, I was told that they represented the ultimate in quality, and their impressive covers certainly suggested this. Things changed when I bought the Bohm Beethoven symphony cycle in 1972. Having previously bought the Decca Schmitt-Isserstedt box, I expected a better better quality of recorded sound. But teh DG ones lacked depth in comparison. So my DG purchases became rarer.
Listening to this 50 CD set does suggest that I might have over-reacted, but that boxy, congested sound does rear its ugly head occasionally, such as in the Abbado Bruckner 1.

[Thropplenoggin]

Presumably because people (like me) buy them. My duplication was less than one might expect. For eaxmple, I had none of the Carlos Kleiber symphony recordings, despite their almost legendary status.
The reason for not having bought these and others has been my ambivalence towards DG. In my youth, I was told that they represented the ultimate in quality, and their impressive covers certainly suggested this. Things changed when I bought the Bohm Beethoven symphony cycle in 1972. Having previously bought the Decca Schmitt-Isserstedt box, I expected a better better quality of recorded sound. But teh DG ones lacked depth in comparison. So my DG purchases became rarer.
Listening to this 50 CD set does suggest that I might have over-reacted, but that boxy, congested sound does rear its ugly head occasionally, such as in the Abbado Bruckner 1.

Gosh! To have lived thus far without his Beethoven 5 and 7? An unenviable feat, EA.

His Brahms 4 and Schubert 8 'unfinished' are exceptional readings, too. Surely you had his Tristan und Isolde, though?!

[Petrushka]

I bought the Karajan 1960s box last year as I had only a few duplications. DG sound quality at that time was very, very good indeed but then went markedly downhill from the time they started recording in the Philharmonie in about 1973. The Vienna Musikverein, though an acoustic marvel, is a difficult recording venue and DG did their VPO recordings there while Decca used the superb Sofiensaal. Wish that Schmidt-Issertedt LvB cycle would be reissued.

To be honest, I'd agree with EA's assessment of the sound quality accorded to Kleiber's celebrated Beethoven and Brahms. I have them, naturally, but hardly play them these days. Exceptional readings, to be sure, but let down by the sound quality which is inferior to that given to Karajan in the 1960s.

[amateur51]

Gosh! To have lived thus far without his Beethoven 5 and 7? An unenviable feat, EA.

His Brahms 4 and Schubert 8 'unfinished' are exceptional readings, too. Surely you had his Tristan und Isolde, though?!

On another thread recently you spoke of spending a day getting to know Tristan Throppers. Which version did you choose and how did it go?

[Thropplenoggin]

On another thread recently you spoke of spending a day getting to know Tristan Throppers. Which version did you choose and how did it go?

Kleiber/Price/Pape. I've heard it and, well, I felt transfigured by the end of it, in a way no music has ever made me feel. It was almost as if I was held under a spell, something daemonic or witchcrafty about its relentless transfixing power...a mesmerising, quite unforgettable experience.

I'll report back anon, Ams, as I have questions to ask of more experienced ears. Alas, no time to go in depth at present. Boxes still to be packed!

[amateur51]

Kleiber/Price/Pape. I've heard it and, well, I felt transfigured by the end of it, in a way no music has ever made me feel. It was almost as if I was held under a spell, something daemonic or witchcrafty about its relentless transfixing power...a mesmerising, quite unforgettable experience.

I'll report back anon, Ams, as I have questions to ask of more experienced ears. Alas, no time to go in depth at present. Boxes still to be packed!

Triffic!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Surely you had his Tristan und Isolde, though?!

Nope! Furtwangler (twice!), Solti & Pappano, but no Kleiber.

[Thropplenoggin]

Nope! Furtwangler (twice!), Solti & Pappano, but no Kleiber.

You should. Price is exquisite. Likewise Kurt Moll. And Kleiber teases out every subtle nuance in the orchestral score (I base this on the reports of others, inc. BaL; as it's my first Tristan, I have nothing to compare it to. Though Kleiber always gives a fresh and unexpected interpretation, in my experience.)

[amateur51]

You should. Price is exquisite. Likewise Kurt Moll. And Kleiber teases out every subtle nuance in the orchestral score (I base this on the reports of others, inc. BaL; as it's my first Tristan, I have nothing to compare it to. Though Kleiber always gives a fresh and unexpected interpretation, in my experience.)

Carlos Kleiber filmed conducting Tristan ?at Bayreuth, ghostly images perhaps but fascinating nonetheless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nncPW69478&list=PLO6wjjr5WyVDVv9he_QiGxev5jn0iWqJq

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Vienna Philharmonic recordings have virtually dried up.