Beethoven: Symphonies no 5 and 7 / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series)

Beethoven (Artist), Arthur Miller (Artist), Ashkenazy (Artist), Pao (Artist, Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Pao
• Audio CD (September 29, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000AFQL
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #407,661 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

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

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

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

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

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Beethoven 5th and 7th Symphonies., August 31, 2007

By 

Enaitz Jar (Spain, Europe.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies no 5 and 7 / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series) (Audio CD)

Vladimir Ashkenazy, one of the best pianist of the XX century, is revealed here as a superb conductor.

He has recorded what in my opinion is the best edition of Beethoven's 5th and 7th Symphonies, far better than other versions as for example the overrated Kleiber recording. Ashkenazy's set is real powerful, but also gentle when needed, has a very good sound quality and, more important, always has the correct tempo.

Other very good recordings are Abbado's and Karajan's one with the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra, but Karajan's one sometimes goes too fast, as for example on the world famous "Zardoz" allegretto from the 7th symphony, which in Ashkenazy's recording is full of power and dignity. I love this allegretto but in Karajan's version sounds like something urgent, like if the orchestra were trying to hurry up because they had to go somewhere after playing.

Some critics claims this Ashkenazy's recordings to be too "conservative". I really don't understand what are they trying to say. One can say that Karajan's romantic aproach to almost every score may be "not conservative", but, is it bad to be conservative when conducting Beethoven? Would you prefer to hear this played by an orchestra of electric ukeleles or what? I can't see the "conservative" point anywhere, to my ear is just the best Beethoven's 5th and 7th ever recorded.

I've listened to many other versions of this score, from the highly overrated Kleiber and Toscanini recordings to the good enough, Von Dohnanyi's, Reiner's, Furtwangler's or Mravinsky's versions, and ending with the superb Karajan's (except for the allegretto from the 7th) and Abbado's recordings. If you want the best Beethoven's 5th and 7th, just try this Ashkenazy jewel, and maybe give also a chance to Abbado's recording: Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7

PS. This Ashkenazy CD has recently gone out of stock, but, don't worry because there are at least 3 editions of this exact same recording and, if you don't care about missing the very good leaflet of this edition, the others are easily available, for example here: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I agree, January 11, 2004

By 

"james5anderson" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies no 5 and 7 / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series) (Audio CD)

Some push the music too much, some too little and it drags. Ashkenazy keeps it moving perfectly and perfectly balanced. I hear details which get lost in other famous conductor's conducting. I think famous conductors sometimes make it crash and bang just to "sound" exciting. But Ashkenazy is perfect - you hear many details like never before. Top recommendation.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ashkenazy - Klemperer - Furtwängler, October 30, 2009

By 

Scriabinmahler (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies no 5 and 7 / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series) (Audio CD)

"Vladimir Ashkenazy leads the Philharmonia Orchestra through these Beethoven classics in a powerful, if slightly conservative, manner." writes the critic. This is an understatement. Ashkenazy conducts as if possessed by Klemperer and Furtwängler's spirit at the same time, and this immensely powerful and gripping performance of 5th and 7th will blast any rivals away.

I'm usually not impressed by Ashkenazy as a conductor, except by his magnificent reading of Strauss' Tone Poems, and I rarely feel like replaying Beethoven symphonies conducted by anyone, but this performance of 5th struck me like a lightning from the bold opening and completely grabbed me to the final Allegro in which the surge of life-affirming force explodes. I immediately replayed each movement for closer listening. Interpretation-wise, the astonishing vitality and energy of Ashkenazy's reading reminds me Furtwängler's wartime account, while Philharmonia's playing is vibrant in every detail as if conducted by Klemperer.

The same can be said of this powerfully felt account of 7th. The broadly paced 2nd movement is suffused with elegiac lyricism and very subtle and opulent string playing - the most deeply felt reading of the movement I've ever come across. The build-up in emotional and rhythmic intensity is superbly executed in other three movements, pulsing with positive energy and elan. The finale is simply magnificent!

It was a big surprise to find these performances, outside the mainstream Beethovenians, that capture the transcendental spirit of the composer so masterfully. Recorded beautifully in digital stereo, 1981/83, Kingsway Hall, London.