BaL 24.05.14: Beethoven Symphony no. 2 in D

[verismissimo]

Let me guess:

NBC, Toscanini
NYPO, Walter
Philharmonia, Karajan
RPO, Beecham
Phil., Klemperer
VPO Bohm
BPO, Abbado
SCO, Mackerras
LCP, Norrington
Concertgebouw, Jochum

Plus another 10...

...unless our spy has inside info...

Good start, Alpie. I'd also guess for the next ten...

Monteux (I think his NDR version may also be available)
Zinman
Blomstedt
Konwitschny
Schmidt-Isserstedt
Bruggen
Cluytens
Fried
Harnoncourt
Immerseel
Wand

[richardfinegold]

Ah, following a sudden brainwave, have now discovered where I filed the Antonini. The Kammerorchesterbasel/Antonini survey has a somewhat disjointed recording history. 1 & 2 were issued on SACD by Oehms. 3 & 4 followed, again SACD, but on Sony. Then came 5 & 6, also on Sony but limited to Red Book CD only. Now 7 & 8 have been released, again by Sony, and again as CD only. I have 1 to 6, and am considering getting 7 & 8 but I'm not in a hurry, though if the price goes the way of that now asked for 3 & 4 I should perhaps not wait too long.

I think that Sony had stopped issuing SACD recordings a few years ago. A real pity considering tha they developed the technology, and even difficult to understand from a marketing point of view, since SACD has a real following in the Asia and enough of a following in the States and Europe to be viable.I was considering getting their latest HD Server that converts everything into DSD, but given their history of abandoning formats after a few years (Beta Tapes, Mini Disc, now SACD) I decided to hold off.

[richardfinegold]

I don't think Toscanini can be in the running with scratchy old 78s - however well they may claim to be remastered. So let's replace him with Solti.
Beecham is surely pushing it a bit, too.....

What about Cluytens. Now - he has to be in with a shout!

The scratchiness has been cured with digital remastering. My objection is to the boxy sound, and I would like a bit more repose in the slow movement.

[aeolium]

I think van Beinum might be in that short list of 20, though not sure if with the Concertgebouw recording or the live concert with the Philharmonia (possibly the latter).

[visualnickmos]

I'm just trying to be inside Rob's head. I think he is likely to choose one or two historical issues.

Oh no - I wasn't faulting your insight, not for one minute; Sorry.

I agree with you - and there is nothing wrong at all in the reviewer shortlisting ( if that should be the case) an historical issue. It's just my personal taste that may be at fault!

[visualnickmos]

The scratchiness has been cured with digital remastering. My objection is to the boxy sound, and I would like a bit more repose in the slow movement.

I should have been more specific. It's that 'sounds like it was recorded in a public loo' effect that I can't take.

[vinteuil]

... I shall be interested to see whether my prejudice against Mr Cowan - with regard to what I see as his prejudices - ( vis à vis Historically Informed Performance Practice ) - is confirmed. I suspect we will get a big band version from the 1950s or 1960s. I should be delighted to be proved wrong.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Abbado wins more BaLs than most. this could well go the same way.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

With Petrushka's permission, I have merged his earlier thread on Beethoven's 2nd Symphony with the BaL one.

The list of recordings remains at the top.

[verismissimo]

... I shall be interested to see whether my prejudice against Mr Cowan - with regard to what I see as his prejudices - ( vis à vis Historically Informed Performance Practice ) - is confirmed. I suspect we will get a big band version from the 1950s or 1960s. I should be delighted to be proved wrong.

It's certainly a concern, vints.

[pastoralguy]

I do wish that when a work has a huge number of versions that more time could be allotted. I seem to remember that each component of the 'Ring' given a hour apiece.

[Thropplenoggin]

Why don't they list the 20 versions on the CD Review site or the schedule page? BaL is one feature of Radio 3 which would benefit from being more interactive but, alas, isn't.

My votes go to Cluytens ('vintage'): a set which continues to impress the more familiar it becomes; Hogwood ('historically-informed'); and Wand ('modern sound').

[silvestrione]

... I shall be interested to see whether my prejudice against Mr Cowan - with regard to what I see as his prejudices - ( vis à vis Historically Informed Performance Practice ) - is confirmed. I suspect we will get a big band version from the 1950s or 1960s. I should be delighted to be proved wrong.

In his survey for Guinness Classical 1000 (published quite a few years ago), on Beethoven 2 Rob Cowan goes for Toscanini, but, if you want modern sound, recommends Bruggen, or Harnoncourt, or Monteux, or Szell (clearly alphabetical order).

[Bryn]

In his survey for Guinness Classical 1000 (published quite a few years ago), on Beethoven 2 Rob Cowan goes for Toscanini, but, if you want modern sound, recommends Bruggen, or Harnoncourt, or Monteux, or Szell (clearly alphabetical order).

That would presumably be the earlier Philips Brüggen, rather than the much more recent Glossa SACD.

[Bryn]

Been listening to Brüggen (Glossa), Krivine and Robert Levin/Peter Hanson/David Watkin tonight. Beaux Arts to come.

The Brüggen sounded distinctly traditional, the Krivine less inspirational than I remembered, and the Robert Levin/Peter Hanson/David Watkin was a breath of fresh air. Big band modern options another night, but Cluytens is likely to rule that category.