Ideal Beethoven cycle

[Justo]

As there are so many recordings of each of Beethoven´s symphonies, I ask anybody who is interested to suggest two or three performances of each one (any kind, Historical, Period or Modern Instruments, out of catalogue editions). This would help us to know the best recordings of the symphonies. Sorry for language mistakes.
Thanks.

[Rod]

There is a page of recommended recordings at this website. Check this:
http://www.kingsbarn.freeserve.co.uk/rec.html

I personally recommend the Hanover Band set.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 07-16-2002).]

[Justo]

Originally posted by Rod:
There is a page of recommended recordings at this website. Check this:
http://www.kingsbarn.freeserve.co.uk/rec.html

I personally recommend the Hanover Band set.

Thanks, I have already checked the recommended recordings, but I was thinking in a more general survey among the members, including separate performances of each symphony.
Thanks again.

[Sorrano]

Originally posted by Justo:
Thanks, I have already checked the recommended recordings, but I was thinking in a more general survey among the members, including separate performances of each symphony.
Thanks again.

I've got the Karajan cycle (the earlier edition) and like it quite a bit. There are some problems with it, but for the most part I find it more than satisfactory.

[Sorrano]

Originally posted by Justo:
Thanks, I have already checked the recommended recordings, but I was thinking in a more general survey among the members, including separate performances of each symphony.
Thanks again.

Forgot to mention one other cycle--the Toscannini cycle, in my opinion, is among the best available.

[Peter]

Originally posted by Justo:
Thanks, I have already checked the recommended recordings, but I was thinking in a more general survey among the members, including separate performances of each symphony.
Thanks again.

Symphony 2 & 4 - Günter Wand/ North German Radio Symphony Orchestra RCA Red Seal RD60058

Symphony 3 "Eroica" - Günter Wand/ North German Radio Symphony Orchestra
RCA Red Seal 60755-2-RC

Symphonies 5 & 7 - Carlos Kleiber/ Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Deutsche Grammophon 447400-2

Symphonies 5 & 8 - Günter Wand/ North German Radio Symphony Orchestra RCA Red Seal 60092-2-RC

Symphony 6 "Pastorale" - Günter Wand/North German Radio Symphony Orchestra RCA Red Seal 60094-2-RC

Symphony 6 "Pastorale" - Karl Bohm/ Vienna Philharmonic - DG 447 433-2GOR

Symphony 9 "Choral" - Carol Vaness (soprano), Janice Taylor (mezzosoprano), Siegfried Jerusalem (tenor), Robert Llyod (bass-baritone)/ Christoph von Dohnanyi/ Cleveland Orchestra & Chorus Telarc CD-80120


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'Man know thyself'

[Joy]

I certainly agree with the above recommendation of Symphonies 5 & 7. I have that and think it is a great recording. So powerful and dynamic. Also have to agree with Symphony 9's choice. Very good also!
Cleveland Orchestra is top notch.

[This message has been edited by Joy (edited 07-17-2002).]

[Rod]

Originally posted by Peter:

Symphony 3 "Eroica" - Günter Wand/ North German Radio Symphony Orchestra
RCA Red Seal 60755-2-RC

So Savall's recording is out of favour now Peter?

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Justo]

Thanks everybody. I have listened some Wand recordings (studio versions), and I agree they are terrific. Does anbody heard about the symphonies by Paul Kletzki - Czech Philharmonic (on the Supraphon label) ?. I´ve been told their Pastoral and 7th are very good performances.

[Peter]

Originally posted by Rod:
So Savall's recording is out of favour now Peter?

Not out of favour and I should have mentioned it, however I think he does err too much on the small side for the orchestra and that it would have been a better performance with greater numbers - the 1808 performance used virtually double the players that were used in the Lobkowitz private performance, which suggests Beethoven was happy with larger numbers. However that is virtually my only criticsm of an otherwise fine and accurate rendition.

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'Man know thyself'

[Rod]

Originally posted by Peter:
Not out of favour and I should have mentioned it, however I think he does err too much on the small side for the orchestra and that it would have been a better performance with greater numbers - the 1808 performance used virtually double the players that were used in the Lobkowitz private performance, which suggests Beethoven was happy with larger numbers. However that is virtually my only criticsm of an otherwise fine and accurate rendition.

Well he was obviously also happy with the smaller number for the Lobkowitz performance too! Obviously the venue has a part to play in this decision, but with a recording this in theory should not be an issue. The string section always sounds leaner and more transparent with period instrument bands, you get used to that quickly if all your recordings are like this. I've never liked situations where the strings totally dominate the sound anyway. That being said this recording sounds loud enough on my (good) hifi. I can only suggest if you think it is too quiet you turn up the volume?


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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Peter]

Originally posted by Rod:
Well he was obviously also happy with the smaller number for the Lobkowitz performance too! Obviously the venue has a part to play in this decision, but with a recording this in theory should not be an issue. The string section always sounds leaner and more transparent with period instrument bands, you get used to that quickly if all your recordings are like this. I've never liked situations where the strings totally dominate the sound anyway. That being said this recording sounds loud enough on my (good) hifi. I can only suggest if you think it is too quiet you turn up the volume?

The Lobkowitz was a private performance where Beethoven had no say over the size of the orchestra - if double the forces were used 4 years later that suggests that was nearer what he had in mind. I think this is where the historical performances can get too literal - we know that Mozart certainly wanted larger forces than were available and throughout Beethoven's career the orchestras were getting bigger. That is not to say that I favour the enormous orchestras of Wagner or Mahler playing Beethoven, but I think reducing the overall numbers to around 40 is too much. For a performance in 1817 of Christus am Oelberge - the strings numbered 62 and for the 9th in 1824, 58 strings were used.

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'Man know thyself'

[Joy]

Originally posted by Peter:
The Lobkowitz was a private performance where Beethoven had no say over the size of the orchestra - if double the forces were used 4 years later that suggests that was nearer what he had in mind. I think this is where the historical performances can get too literal - we know that Mozart certainly wanted larger forces than were available and throughout Beethoven's career the orchestras were getting bigger. That is not to say that I favour the enormous orchestras of Wagner or Mahler playing Beethoven, but I think reducing the overall numbers to around 40 is too much. For a performance in 1817 of Christus am Oelberge - the strings numbered 62 and for the 9th in 1824, 58 strings were used.

Do you know how many people were in the chorus for the 9th's premiere?

[Peter]

Originally posted by Joy:
Do you know how many people were in the chorus for the 9th's premiere?

I'm afraid not! Hopefully more than 4!

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'Man know thyself'

[Justo]

Any comments on the Kletzki /Czech Philharmonic symphonies recordings ?.