Overview of Beethoven Symphony sets - reviews

[teamsaint]

Just in case folks who might be interested have missed this, the entire Krivine/ La Chambre Philharmonique is available on Youtube.

I assume these are the same versions as the CDs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLjRR0BUgB9pVJ6fodEDjwl8gY_khLMX40&v=jaTZ2qSCIb4

[Dave2002]

Just in case folks who might be interested have missed this, the entire Krivine/ La Chambre Philharmonique is available on Youtube.

I assume these are the same versions as the CDs.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLj...&v=jaTZ2qSCIb4

I think they may not be the same versions as the CDs - others know more than I do.

[Bryn]

They are not the same. They are later performances and take a different approach to the issue of repeats. Also, the CDs are of edits from up to three different performances (sometimes in different venues) of each symphony. The YouTube performances are taken from televised single performances.

[CallMePaul]

Not at all (being alone, that is). I was present at some of these concerts which were exciting occasions when the combination of a really top-rate chamber-sized orchestra and the conductor whom I am told by people in the orchestra was possibly their favourite maestro produced really sparkling results, which happily have been made available on a permanent basis via this set. If forced to choose only one set of these symphonies, one could do a lot worse (and that is not meant to be damnation through faint praise)

I heard this cycle first on R3 a few weeks after the cycle was played at the Edinburgh Festival, and later bought the CDs, which are now my favourite Beethoven cycle. One point no-one has mentioned though: No9 was played by the Philharmonia, not the SCO - a pity as there have been many fine performances and recordings of the Ninth by chamber orchestras. I believe the reason was that the full Edinburgh Festival Chorus was taking part and that the Festival Director and Sir Charles were concerned about the right balance with such a large chorus.

[Barbirollians]

That very cheap set of the Bruggen Philips now Decca versions has arrived and I look forward to dipping into it this week .