This is a valuable reissue in the Deutsche Grammophon Originals series, containing the ... more
first domestic appearance on compact disc for the eighth and ninth symphonies in Rafael Kubelik's globe-trotting Beethoven cycle from the mid-1970s (nine symphonies, nine different orchestras). Eagle-eyed collectors will have doubtless already snapped up the glowing Vienna PO seventh when it resurfaced a few years ago on the super-budget Belart label coupled with Kubelik's imposing Boston SO account of the fifth. Here it precedes an admirably lithe, yet beamingly affectionate reading of the eighth with the Cleveland Orchestra--a performance whose unforced musicality and twinkling wit will have you grinning with pleasure from first measure to last. Better still is the "Choral", recorded on Kubelik's home patch with his exemplary Bavarian Radio forces in the sublime acoustic of Munich's Herkulessaal. This is, not to beat about the bush, a truly great ninth, evincing a profound humanity, authority and wisdom distilled from a lifetime's experience on the podium. After a marvellously unforced, cogent account of the first movement, Kubelik brings a distinctive, delectably rustic spring to the scherzo. The heavenly slow movement is a miracle of flowing grace and tender intimacy, while the finale welds all the necessary lump-in-the-throat universality to a joyous sense of occasion. Vivid with beautifully balanced sound throughout (with Kubelik's antiphonally divided fiddles always exceptionally well captured), this is a most desirable Beethoven twofer.--Andrew Achenbach
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
This is a valuable reissue in the Deutsche Grammophon Originals series, containing the ... more
first domestic appearance on compact disc for the eighth and ninth symphonies in Rafael Kubelik's globe-trotting Beethoven cycle from the mid-1970s (nine symphonies, nine different orchestras). Eagle-eyed collectors will have doubtless already snapped up the glowing Vienna PO seventh when it resurfaced a few years ago on the super-budget Belart label coupled with Kubelik's imposing Boston SO account of the fifth. Here it precedes an admirably lithe, yet beamingly affectionate reading of the eighth with the Cleveland Orchestra--a performance whose unforced musicality and twinkling wit will have you grinning with pleasure from first measure to last. Better still is the "Choral", recorded on Kubelik's home patch with his exemplary Bavarian Radio forces in the sublime acoustic of Munich's Herkulessaal. This is, not to beat about the bush, a truly great ninth, evincing a profound humanity, authority and wisdom distilled from a lifetime's experience on the podium. After a marvellously unforced, cogent account of the first movement, Kubelik brings a distinctive, delectably rustic spring to the scherzo. The heavenly slow movement is a miracle of flowing grace and tender intimacy, while the finale welds all the necessary lump-in-the-throat universality to a joyous sense of occasion. Vivid with beautifully balanced sound throughout (with Kubelik's antiphonally divided fiddles always exceptionally well captured), this is a most desirable Beethoven twofer.--Andrew Achenbach
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Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles
played and the Finale brings a great sense of thankfulness from the country folk. This version makes for a nice breath of fresh air not apparent in many other Pastorals. There really is nothing more one needs to say.
Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92
The Seventh Symphony (my personal favorite among Beethoven's symphonies) receives a rather curious performance when it comes to this set. Whereas most of the other symphonies are quite fresh in inspiration, the Seventh seems to suffer from a lack of energy so important to this Beethoven's most rhythmic symphony. This is particularly noticeable in the Finale, where the tempo is surprisingly relaxed and particularly in the coda the excitement is practically killed off by this lack of energy. It could be that Norrington was still a little unsure of pulling it all out for this difficult work ...
Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.
The 9symphonies by Ludwig Van Beethoven. (1770 - 1827)
Performed by The London Classical Players.
Conducted by Sir Roger Norrington.
With the Schutz choir of London.
Not everybody likes classical music. Even those who do, do not all like the same things.
This boxed set of CD's if different from previous recordings.
Firstly, it is played on period instruments. This is not to everybody?s taste.
These instruments are not like today?s instruments. For instance, the violin has a cleaner but more plaintive tone. The woodwinds
each has a colour and clarity of tone that blends to a harmonious whole. The timpani, those smaller drums, are hit with hard sticks more reminiscent of military drum sounds. The horn section has a different feel to it.
Considering the lapse of some 184 years, it would be strange if the sounds ...
Advantages: The best and most famous symphonies ever Disadvantages: None
Beethoven's nine symphonies are a complete musical universe of their own. Some of them have naturally impinged on public consciousness more than others. The opening bars of the 5th vied for years with the finale to Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" as probably the most famous classical piece ever until the recent vogue for Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", while the 6th ("Pastoral") is so full of light and shade, so many little twists of unforgettable melody, that it has rightly never gone out of fashion; and part of the 9th ("Choral") has lived on in various reincarnations. Just listen to the Seekers' "Emerald City" (1967) and Rainbow's "Difficult To Cure" (1981), to take but two examples.
As a personal opinion, I find the 6th the most enjoyable to listen to right through; I was partly brought up on it as a child, and for me it has never lost ...
Product Information for "Beethoven: Symphonies 7-9" »
Product details
Title
Beethoven: Symphonies 7-9
Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Date of Release
05/2000
Label / Distributor
Archiv / RSK Entertainment Ltd
Pieces in Set
1
Running Time
2 hours 11 minutes
Genre(s)
Orchestral
SPAR Code
ADD
EAN
99925345525
Work 1
Work Title
Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92
Excerpt(s)
1. Poco sostenuto_Vivace 2. Allegretto 3. Presto 4. Allegro con brio
Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Genre
Orchestral
Date Written
1812
Conductor
Paul Kletzki
Orchestra / Ensemble
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Work 2
Work Title
Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93
Excerpt(s)
1. Allegro vivace e con brio 2. Allegretto scherzando 3. Tempo di menuetto 4. Allegro vivace
Composer
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Genre
Orchestral
Date Written
1812
Date Recorded
1967
Conductor
Paul Kletzki
Orchestra / Ensemble
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Work 3
Work Title
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral' in D minor, Op. 125
Excerpt(s)
1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 2. Molto vivace 3. Adagio e cantabile_Andante moderato 4. Presto_Allegro assai 5. Ode to Joy; Joyful Joyful (Gospel arr of main melody)
![Beethoven - Symphonies 7-9 [DVD] [2005]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78494515.jpg "Beethoven - Symphonies 7-9 [DVD] [2005]")
![Michael Gielen/SWR Sinfonieorchester: Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 7, 8, 9 [DVD] [US Import]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/70476472.jpg "Michael Gielen/SWR Sinfonieorchester: Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 7, 8, 9 [DVD] [US Import]")
