Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2; Fidelio Overture; Leonore Overture No. 2

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Felix Weingartner (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Felix Weingartner
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (January 21, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00006RHPB
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #451,168 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BEGINNING TO A GREAT CYCLE, August 23, 2003

By 

Ralph J. Steinberg "Lover of German Music" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2; Fidelio Overture; Leonore Overture No. 2 (Audio CD)

Weingartner was the first to record all Nine Symphonies, and his cycle has never been surpassed. The First Symphony is lovingly and virily conducted, and the Second truly has the quality of "fresh youthfulness" that Weingartner mentioned in his essay on this particular work. The Overtures are likewise wonderfully done, my favorite being the "Leonore No. 2." Transfers are of high quality, although not much can be done about the rather cramped acoustic of Symphony No. 2. Still, I don't know that many performances of this Symphony that can equal this one.

Weingartner has the uncanny ability to maintain the structural integrity of these works while being VERY flexible and wholly spontaneous tempi. His Beethoven is a must for all music lovers.

However, I would suggest the Opus Kura transfer for the First Symphony and the other Vienna Philharmonic performances, as they are even superior to the Naxos in quality.