BaL 2.01.16 - Beethoven: Symphony no. 5 in C minor

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Hanover Band's recording on the 'Nimbus' label was actually 'directed' from the violin by Monica Huggett, not conducted by Roy Goodman.

Thank you. I was unaware of this and shall amend the list accordingly.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Isn't Leslie Howard's recording on Hyperion, available?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Liszt-Complete-Piano-Leslie-Howard/dp/B004G7FFF8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450966549&sr=8-2&keywords=liszt++leslie+howard

[Rolmill]

Wow, what a list (and great reference source), thanks EA.

Kurt Masur (RIP) also recorded it with the NYPO, I have this Apex CD on which it is coupled with the Egmont incidental music - good performance, but not really a frontrunner imv.

Also, we shouldn't forget Cyprian Katsaris' fine set of Beethoven symphony piano transcriptions on Teldec and still available, though the 5th is not one of the more successful in his hands I think.

I have 16 recordings on CD (probably more than any other piece in my collection), of which my favourites are Carlos Kleiber/VPO, Vanska/Minnesota and Reiner/CSO.

[gurnemanz]

Also, we shouldn't forget Cyprian Katsaris' fine set of Beethoven symphony piano transcriptions on Teldec and still available

I second that and put in a word for Boyd/Manchester Camerata which has become one of my favourites. "Norrington is effectively wiped out of the running" claims MusicWeb.

[Howdenite]

Hasn't Beethoven 5 been done comparatively recently? Maybe 7 or 8 years ago? Have all the other Beethoven symphonies been covered in that time? I'm sure the first and second symphonies haven't been BAL'd recently.

2007 with Kleiber/VPO (Stephen Johnson). I thought it was more recent than that, but 2007 it was.

[umslopogaas]

I have ten versions on LP, including two not on the list, so presumably not transferred to CD: Phil. Symph. O. of London cond. Scherchen, and LSO cond. Previn. I have none on a single CD, though there may be versions lurking in some of those big bargain boxes I have been enthusiastically buying recently. I really dont think I want any more. One of the LPs is cond. by Carlos Kleiber, which I think was highly rated by the reviewers, and another is cond. by Schmidt-Isserstedt, which was a popular choice in the late sixties when I was a student.

Probably none are regarded as HIPP, but that doesnt bother me, though I will be interested to see how important HIPPness is for the reviewer. I wouldnt be surprised if he goes for a HIPP as top choice, and then an older non-HIPP as an alternative.

I'm surprised the Previn version isnt on the list, I would have thought that was a front runner: it was issued in 1973.

[pastoralguy]

Sorry, I was forgetting my manners! Well done on the list(s!), Mountain man.

And Happy Christmas!

[pastoralguy]

Santa is, I hope!, leaving me the new Honecker/Pittsburgh tonite so l'll try to listen over the next couple of days and report back.

[Roehre]

I've got three: Bernstein/NYP [as LP which has got his 20 mins lecture on Beethoven's sketches for the work], Carlos Kleiber and Krivine, that suffice.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Sorry, I was forgetting my manners! Well done on the list(s!), Mountain man.

And Happy Christmas!

You're welcome, PG. And thank you.

[Tony Halstead]

I have ten versions on LP, including two not on the list, so presumably not transferred to CD: Phil. Symph. O. of London cond. Scherchen, and LSO cond. Previn. I have none on a single CD, though there may be versions lurking in some of those big bargain boxes I have been enthusiastically buying recently. I really dont think I want any more. One of the LPs is cond. by Carlos Kleiber, which I think was highly rated by the reviewers, and another is cond. by Schmidt-Isserstedt, which was a popular choice in the late sixties when I was a student.

Probably none are regarded as HIPP, but that doesnt bother me, though I will be interested to see how important HIPPness is for the reviewer. I wouldnt be surprised if he goes for a HIPP as top choice, and then an older non-HIPP as an alternative.

I'm surprised the Previn version isnt on the list, I would have thought that was a front runner: it was issued in 1973.

My understanding is that EA lists only the AVAILABLE versions.
In any case, even if the Previn/LSO version were available on CD I can't see why it would be in any way a 'front runner' since the tempo of the 1st movement is very, very slow indeed. I do remember it well, recorded in the now much-missed Kingsway Hall, as I was playing on it and wondering at the time why it had to be so very elephantine...!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

My understanding is that EA lists only the AVAILABLE versions.
In any case, even if the Previn/LSO version were available on CD I can't see why it would be in any way a 'front runner' since the tempo of the 1st movement is very, very slow indeed. I do remember it well, recorded in the now much-missed Kingsway Hall, as I was playing on it and wondering at the time why it had to be so very elephantine...!

Rest assured, I would include any recording generally available in UK, irrespective of my personal views, or its chance being considered by the reviewer.

[richardfinegold]

I'd rather not admit how many versions I own. However, if one limits the choices to High Resolution only, then I would have to choose between Vanska/Minnesota, Masur/Leipzig, Herreweghe/Royal Flemish, MTT/SFSO, Abbado/Berlin, Barenboim/Berlin Staatkapelle (DVD-Audio), Kleiber/VPO (Blu Ray). (Honeck/Pittsburgh awaiting Santa).
The winner would be Kleiber by a hair, Vanska as honorable mention

[Barbirollians]

Santa is, I hope!, leaving me the new Honecker/Pittsburgh tonite so l'll try to listen over the next couple of days and report back.

So that's what happened to the former leader of East Germany ? He must be getting on a bit .

[Barbirollians]

2007 with Kleiber/VPO (Stephen Johnson). I thought it was more recent than that, but 2007 it was.

I am pretty sure it was done in the late 1990s too by Richard Osborne - who chose the pre war Furtwangler !