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Most Sublime Beethoven Symphony

I am not an expert, but to me, the Beethoven Symphonies are divine.

I have especially enjoyed listening to the 3rd, 6th, and 9th and have a couple of versions of each floating around in my collection.

Perhaps they are just to my taste, but I seem to discover new things about them that draw me back again and again long after I have tired of other "classics".

A friend of mine who knows a lot more about music than I recommends Von Karajan highly, but I would love to hear from any of you regarding your thoughts on the best symphony, conducter, recording, performance etc. Would you agree that there is something very special about these works?

Any Beethoven gurus out there? Please give us your expert advice and opinions. Thank you.
cwlondon
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Yes the Kleiber are worth getting. Also fun is the 5th and 7th by Benjamin Zander and the Philharmonia Orchestra that has a companion CD lecture by Zander of both symphonies. (Ben Zander also praises Kleiber in his lecture).


I've heard all the complete sets, and my favorite Beethoven symphony complete cycle is a rare unheard one to most. It is with the City of Birmingham Orchestra conducted by Walter Weller; on the Chandos label. It even has the first movement of what historians think is a draft of the 10th symphony.

gregm
3,021 posts
 
I'll offer more traditional performances of 3-6-9. 3: An old Karajan ('50s), Furtwangler, Klemperer, Walter; 6: Furtwangler. 9: Furtwangler, the old Karajan from the 60s. Don't remember the exact refs now, but mail me if interested. Cheers!
pawil71
7 posts
 
Have not heard the CDs, but Berlin Phil released a complete Beethoven cycle with Abado recently. I saw them perform 6 and 5 at carnegie last October, and it was the best concert I have ever seen. It had a magical impact on my emotions. I would buy BPO's set with Abbado if I didin't already have hundreds of other performances in my library.

As for Karajan, I have never been a fan. He seems cold and businesslike to me. He conducted with his eyes closed, and the lack of connection to (or interest in) the players has an audible result, in my opinion. There are exceptions, but I know of few.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
I'm no guru, but I'll chip in.
Not the whole symphony, but the second movement of the 5th symphony is my favourite (of those I have heard). I could listen to it forever. Don't much care for the "pompous" first movement though.
On the Beethoven subject but straying to piano concertos I recently purchased the "emperor" (I forget the number). Again the slow movement is sublime.
Also in Piano sonatas the Appasionata I think is my favourite so far, but I still haven't heard them all.
As for performers .. well I like Ashkenazy on Decca ... I gather he's a bit of a love him or hate him as far as Beethoven goes, but I think he plays with great feeling.
kd7kld
12 posts
 
There are so many to choose from. I enjoy Harnoncourt's recording of the third and Furtwangler's Berlin recording of the ninth. I also enjoy all of Klemperer's recordings.
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