Beethoven - The Symphonies |
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Artist:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Average Customer Rating:  
List Price: £44.99
Our Price: £25.39
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0094637581223
Format: Box set
Label: EMI Classics
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: EMI Classics
Release Date: 2006-10-23
Studio: EMI Classics |
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Disc 1:
| 1. I: Adagio Molto-Allegro Con Brio | | 2. II: Andante Cantabile Con Moto | | 3. III: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace | | 4. IV: Adagio-Allegro Molto E Vivace | | 5. I: Allegro Con Brio | | 6. II: Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai | | 7. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Vivace | | 8. IV: Finale: Allegro Molto-Poco Andante-Presto |
Disc 2:
| 1. I: Adagio Molto-Allegro Con Brio | | 2. II: Larghetto | | 3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro | | 4. IV: Allegro Molto | | 5. I: Allegro Con Brio | | 6. II: Andante Con Moto | | 7. III: Allegro- | | 8. IV: Allegro-Presto |
Disc 3:
| 1. I: Adagio-Allegro Vivace | | 2. II: Adagio | | 3. III: Menuetto: Allegro Vivace. Trio: Un Poco Meno Allegro | | 4. IV: Allegro Ma Non Troppo | | 5. I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Awakening Of Happy Feelings On Arriving In The Country) | | 6. II: Andante Molto Mosso (By The Brook) | | 7. III: Allegro-Sempre Piu Stretto-In Tempo D'allegro-Tempo I-Presto- (Merry Gathering Of The Country Folk) | | 8. IV: Allegro- (Thunder And Storm) | | 9. V: Allegretto (Shepherd's Song. Beneficent Feelings With Thanks To The Godhead After The Storm) |
Disc 4:
| 1. I: Poco Sostenuto-Vivace | | 2. II: Allegretto | | 3. III: Presto-Assai Meno Presto | | 4. IV: Allegro Con Brio | | 5. I: Allegro Vivace E Con Brio | | 6. II: Allegretto Scherzando | | 7. III: Tempo Di Menuetto | | 8. IV: Allegro Vivace |
Disc 5:
| 1. I: Allegro Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso - Barbara Bonney | | 2. II: Molto Vivace-Presto - Barbara Bonney | | 3. III: Adagio Molto E Cantabile-Andante Moderato-Tempo I-Andante Moderato-Adagio-Lo Stesso Tempo - Barbara Bonney | | 4. IV: Presto-Allegro Assai- - Barbara Bonney | | 5. Presto-Recitativo-Allegro Assai-Allegro Assai Vivace (Alla Marcia)-Andante Maestoso-Adagio Ma Non Troppo Ma Divoto-Allegro Energico E Sempre Ben Marcato-Allegro Ma Non Tanto-Presto-Maestoso-Prestissimo - Barbara Bonney |
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Shake, Rattle and Roll, 2007-09-28
If you want quality, buy this set. EMI Classics have excelled themselves with the packaging, opting for a box with slide-out drawer, opened via a tab of green silky material, holding the 5 CDs, each of which is presented in a card wallet with full track details and times. The presentation box artwork is second to none, the front showing an almost-smiling Sir Simon Rattle, the rear showing a view of him from behind, hands clasped as if satisfied at completing the nine enclosed masterpieces.
Also included in the box is a 90 page (30 in English) hard backed booklet, printed on quality paper showing the track listing, details of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, notes on the Urtext editions and of course pictures of Rattle, Beethoven, Beethoven's home in Vienna, the orchestra, and much more. The booklet interestingly includes the year in which each symphony was composed and first performed.
Before purchasing this set I noticed the words `live recordings' on the rear of the box, and was concerned there may be audience noise or, even worse, applause between movements. I must stress there is no such interference and absolutely no evidence of any ambient noises from an audience, if in fact there even was one.
The sound quality is outstanding, with each instrument clearly separated and audible, and although the interpretations may not suit everyone's taste (such as tempo changes), the performances are simply stunning. The energy level throughout is relentless, with always an edge to the playing which creates a real feeling of passion and an urgency to the music. Rattle's conducting certainly brings out the best in the performers, and I can imagine Ludwig himself, in one of his agitated moods, conducting the symphonies in this style.
Everyone will have an opinion on these interpretations, with the usual debate upon the merits of each movement of each symphony. But why bother? Just buy this set, turn up the volume and prepare to be impressed.
 Fine Beethoven from Rattle, But Better VPO Sound, 2008-08-12
It's a pity that Simon Rattle's Beethoven symphony cycle is merely among the latest in a series of recent recordings using Jonathan Del Mar's newly revised Barenheiter edition of Beethoven's symphonic scores. Otherwise, it might have earned recognition as the best recent Beethoven symphony cycle recording. Still it is by far the best Beethoven symphony cycle recorded by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. But should it be regarded as first choice for those interested in a Beethoven symphony cycle, especially one using the new Jonathan Del Mar-edited edition?
Simon Rattle demonstrates in these recordings that he is a fine interpreter of Beethoven's scores, which he indicated previously in his Beethoven piano concerti cycle with pianist Alfred Brendel, recorded too with the Vienna Philharmonic. However, he doesn't quite match the lyricism or textural richness attained by Harnoncourt, Zinman or Abbado. Instead, for most of the symphonies, these are simply well played, clinical accounts of the Jonathan Del Mar scores. The most notable exceptions are those of the Third Symphony (Rattle's interpretation, especially of the first and second movements, is among the most exciting I've heard, easily comparable in quality to Abbado's most recent account, Giulini's with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, or any of Karajan's.) and the 9th Symphony. The 5th symphony is a fascinating interpretation too, and one of the few which adhere closely to the brisk interpretations favored by Zinman and Abbado. Unfortunately, the 6th symphony lacks the majestic lyricism I've heard in Bruno Walter's classic account with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and the rich textures I've heard in Harnoncourt's and Abbado's (When I met Harnoncourt earlier this year I had remarked to him that I was not impressed with his COE recording of the 6th symphony, but it's actually much better than I had thought, since it is a rich, texturally glowing account which requires repeated listenings.) versions. And the worst account in this cycle has to be Rattle's interpretation of the 7th symphony; much to my surprise he isn't as inventive as Abbado in using swift changes in tempi or as successful as either Carlos Kleiber or Abbado in emphasizing the score's intricate architecture.
So should you buy Rattle's account of the Beethoven symphony cycle? My answer is yes if you treasure the rich sound produced by the Vienna Philharmonic in its concert hall, the Musikverein. The sound quality is among the best I've heard, equal to Abbado's. But if you prefer more exciting, dynamic accounts of Beethoven's symphonies, then I would recommend instead, Harnoncourt's and Abbado's, with Zinman's a first choice for those on a budget.
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