Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set) [BOX SET]

Sandor Solyom-Nagy (Performer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Janos Ferencsik (Conductor), Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Eva Andor (Performer), Gyorgy Korondy (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Sandor Solyom-Nagy, Eva Andor, Gyorgy Korondy
• Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Janos Ferencsik
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Delta
• ASIN: B000001VVY
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,352 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro con brio

2. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Andante con moto

3. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro

4. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Allegro con brio

2. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Marcia funebre, Adagio assai

3. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Scherzo, Allegro vivace

4. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Finale, Allegro molto

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegro ma non troppo

2. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Andante molto moto

3. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegro

4. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegro

See all 9 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Poco sostenuto - Vivace

2. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegretto

3. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Presto

4. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegro con brio

See all 8 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5

1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Allegro ma non troppo

2. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Molto vivace

3. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Adagio molto e cantabile

4. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Presto - Allegro assai / Recitative - Allegro assai

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beethoven and Well-Polished Mahogany., January 14, 2003

By	R. C. Ross (Birmingham) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Janos Ferencsik was of the `old school' of conductors. A craftsman rather than a showman. Sadly we shall never see their like again!

These are thoroughly balanced and lovingly conceived performances. They reveal great strength of character, healthy self-control and mature insight. Ferencsik evidently had experienced much, with emotional and spiritual roots that went deep. Consequently he had no need to resort to surface, superficial excitement to compensate for lack of insight. Ferencsik reveals the mature insight that comes only from a life-long contemplation of scores that the conductor knew as well as he knew the date of his own birthday.

His freedom from egotistical self-indulgence may at first give the impression that Ferencsik's performances will be ordinary and unimaginative. Stay a little longer! The whole cycle has remarkable consistency and these are performances that promise to provide continuing satisfaction long after the latest products of the promoters' art are forgotten.

Ferencsik's interpretations of Beethoven are remarkably free from what Harnoncourt calls the `agitative' qualities of this music. Not for him the sort of `off-the-peg' megalomaniac `heroism' of (too) much Beethoven conducting. Instead Ferencsik draws our attention to the profoundly stable, grounded, settled qualities of the music. To be sure music full of energy and dynamism; but using that energy to strengthen and under-gird a deep humanity and profound, peaceful beauty - as Emily Dickinson said, `Past what Ourself can estimate'. Not surprisingly then the 6th `Pastoral' symphony is given a wonderfully glorious performance. And so too is the elusive, enigmatic slow movement of the 9th. This is a remarkable gem, an exceptional success; wholly coherent, glowing with a lyrical, reposeful splendour.

The Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra play beautifully, as `to the manner born'. They have with a thoroughly attractive and distinctive sound-reminiscent of a piece of much-loved, deeply polished mahogany. This set can be heartily recommended. At the asking price it's a `steal'! This is real music-making! Well worth hearing whatever other recordings of these inexhaustible symphonies you may have.

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Value for money set - recommended for beginners only, February 19, 2005

By	Paul W. (KL, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

Received my set from Amazon recently and it arrived in excellent condition. Since then, I have moved on to 2 other Beethoven Symphonies sets by other conductors because I discovered that I really liked the symphonies.

If you have even the slightest suspicion that you might enjoy the symphonies, it is best to bypass this and invest in much better sets instead, like the critically acclaimed 'Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies' by David Zinman (ASIN: B00000IFP6) or the 1963 set 'Beethoven: 9 Symphonien' by Herbert von Karajan (ASIN: B000001GBQ) or even both, like I did.

The Zinman edition is newer (1998) and the first to be recorded using the critical Barenreiter edition, whereas the 1963 Karajan edition has been widely acknowledged as one of the very best edition of the Symphonies ever produced until today. These 2 sets sound sufficiently different from each other to warrant owning both, and either is far, far superior in terms of soundstaging, warmth and lushness compared to this budget version, which appeared clinically dry.

Nevertheless, this set still represents excellent value for money, and is perfectly suitable for the beginner who is unsure whether he/she will appreciate the 9 Symphonies.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent old school Beethoven, June 21, 2004

By	Paul (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

Nothing wrong with the packaging. I own this set for 5 months now and have listen to it again and again. Yes it is old school Beethoven but it is an excellent old school. It is as good as any more expensive set mentiond by other reveiwers. I give this one a 5 stars.