Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Symphonies 6, 8 & 9; Carlo Maria Giulini; London Symphony Orchestra

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

EMI's new "Gemini" series is a breath of fresh air amidst all the smoke being put forth recently by the major classical labels. While Sony is deleting most of their classical budget discs, BMG is raising theirs to mid-price and UNI is convinced that 3CDs are always better than one, EMI decides to start a two-fer line that sells for significantly less than the competition, not to mention their own "Double Forte" series. It might not be as cheap as the old "Seraphim" series, but they could certainly be charging more for quality recordings such as these.

Take this title featuring Carlo Maria Giulini's accounts of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 6, 8 & 9. (Speaking of the old "Seraphim" series, this very same 9th was offered previously on a two-disc set that also included Kempe's Beethoven 6th & 8th, and this 8th was paired with Cluytens' stereo account of the "Pastoral" on a single CD.) Prior to buying this title, the only performance I had not heard was Giulini's 1968 account of the 6th with the New Philharmonia Orchestra. Having only listened to it once, I haven't had time to truly analyze it, but suffice it to say it is a solid rendition. Giulini takes us on a comfortable stroll through the countryside in the early movements and offers up the appropriate power and finesse for the thunderstorm scene. The playing is first rate, the pacing is perfect and the sound is excellent. The 1972 8th with the London Symphony I know well, and it is good account but not one of my first choice recommendations. Giulini opts for a slow pace, and while I don't have to have something as speedy as the Scherchen (see my review of his GCOTC title), I like something a bit more in the middle than this one.

But enough about those two performances because they are basically extras here, for it is the "Choral" that deserves all the accolades. This might be a shock, but this is one of the very best recordings of Beethoven's 9th ever made. Giulini, always a favorite with orchestra players, gets phenomenal results from the Londoners, and the singers might not be the biggest names but they are in top flight form here. The analog stereo sound is great, and while many performances get bogged down in the signature portion of the final movement (most old mono recordings and the Masur Leipzig immediately come to mind), Giulini offers it all up -- strings, brass, chorus, etc. -- crisp and clean. It sounds better than the Furtwangler, Fricsay, Cluytens, Monteux and Walter; is performed at a better pace than both Bohms, the Klemperer or Bernstein NY; and simply is better than most of the field. Personally, I would rank it overall slightly above treasured renditions by Reiner, Szell and Munch, and it is on par with the Karajan '63, if not a nose ahead. I know this is a lot of praise for a performance that has not remained in print consistently for the past ten years, but buy it and see for yourself. At this price, what have you got to lose?

This is yet another fine addition to this new EMI budget label which is offering some of its best classical recordings to the customer at relatively inexpensive prices. This is an excellent two CD collection not only because it offers an exceptionally fine version of the Beethoven 6th Symphony with Giulini leading the New Philharmonia Orchestra, but it also includes one of the best versions I have heard of Beethoven's 9th Symphony (The only ones I'd say would be better include the legendary Fricsay account on Deutsche Grammophon, Bernstein's Vienna Philharmonic Deutsche Grammophon recording, and most recently, Abbado's Sony Berlin Philharmonic recording (though his more recent Deutsche Grammophon Berlin Philharmonic recording is almost as fine). I've always regarded Giulini's glowing, stately account of the "Pastoral" (6th) symphony as among my favorite recordings of this often-recorded piece, replete with warm, brilliant playing from the New Philharmonia Orchestra. However, in stark contrast, I find his interpretation of the 8th Symphony on the same CD to be a bit too sluggish for my tastes. And yet the best reason to buy this two CD collection is the exquisite, majestic account of the 9th Symphony on the second CD; Giulini's pacing seems just right and he obtains superb singing from both the soloists and the choir backing them, and of course exceptional playing from the London Symphony Orchestra. This two CD collection does have excellent sound quality, even without the latest 24 digital image bit remastering. It's a strong recommendation for those interested in acquiring some more excellent performances of both the 6th and 9th Beethoven symphonies.

I hadn't heard Carlo Maria Giulini's collaboration with the LSO of Beethoven's Symphony 9 before. But I was well acquainted with Giulini/NPO's treatment of the Pastoral Symphony, having owned this on LP for so many years.

When I first heard this 6th, I thought Giulini's interpretation was a little too slow. However on repeated listenings there is no doubt in my mind that this version may have been taken at a more measured tempo than one is normally used to, but that does not detract from its emotive or involving qualities in any way, and that this is certainly the most mellifluous version of Beethoven's 6th that I have ever heard. I'd now go as far as saying this is the version that all others should be measured by, and I've heard a lot of different interpretations. This one really is that brilliant.

Having now replaced my worn out LP with this CD I now had the chance to hear Guilini, with this time the LSO play Beethoven's Symphony 9. The tempo of the movements is more like one would expect, except I found the speed of the Molto Vivace movement was faster than I am used to and has a real crispness and sense of urgency about it; surprisingly not what you would normally associate with Giulini. The choral movement is up there with the all-time greats as others have already remarked. So like with the 6th, Giulini/NPO produced a sterling version of the 9th.

The 8th symphony, although not one of Beethoven's notable works is very listenable and is thrown in with the package.

I have to mention that as far as the Pastoral symphony goes, the sound quality is better on my LP than CD (notwithstanding the pops and crackles). But I guess that has proven to be a very common problem when record companies digitalised their old analogue catalogue. Also the Giulini/NPO's version of the Egmont Overture, which was included on my LP is sadly omitted here, and is also particularly good. Nevertheless aside from these quibbles this CD is still outstanding value.

To me, Giulini's performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony is the greatest one I've ever heard. It alone is worth the price of this 2-CD set which also includes quite good performances of the Pastoral and 8th symphonies. Fine as Giulini's performance of the Pastoral Symphony is, I prefer the superb performance by Leopold Stokowski on Cala Records. But remember that the Pastoral and 8th symphonies -- both of which, as noted, are quite good -- are essentially no-cost fillers for what I consider to be the greatest Beethoven 9th available. This 2-CD set is a terrific bargain with which to start an outstanding collection of the Beethoven symphonies.

I am not a classical music expert by any means, but I have been a fan of Beethoven's 6th Symphony since childhood. I have heard at least a dozen renditions and this is my favorite. The 9th is excellent, too. Giulini was a great conductor and his Beethoven symphonies are considered by many reviewers to be among the finest ever recorded.

These recordings have been out of print for years. Now, they are available together for a price that is a steal. What are you waiting for?

The five-star brigade is out in force for this bargain two-fer from EMI, but I still feel compelled to describe what I hear in these performances. Although he gained his greatest fame from about 1960 onward, Giulini's style feels older, closer to the geneation of Furtwangler and, directly after that, of Karl Bohm and Klemperer. That's clearly evident in these Beethoven symphonies, which are broad, romantic, and reverent. Although the Pastroale dates from 1968 and the Eighth Sym. from 1972, they ae as old-school (and Germanic) as could be. The difference between Giulini and Klemperer is that he is more sensitive and Klemperer more rugged.

As much as I admire that style, I wish Giulini's Pastorale had more rhythmic life in the first movement and more pace in the second. This brook flows very placidly. The peasants in the Scherzo are dancing rather politely (no clomping or joking around), and the finale is as hymnal as Furtwangler's but lacking a bit in vibrancy. It's still a warm, lovely performance and stands ahead of the Eighth, which sounds too relaxed and rhythmically limp.

The main show here is the Ninth. On its first release, critics were divided-- even the usually fawning Gramophone modified its rapture somewhat (preferring the now forgotten Ninth of Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt) -- perhaps because expectations were too high. One wonders what Giulini would have done with his own orchestra, the Philharmonia, but illness forced him to cancel their scheduled recording together. Two years later he teamed up with the LSO. Giulini's style is as broad and traditional as ever--no surprise--and he doesn't create a Ninth of revolutionary or cosmic intent. The first movement is full and rich but without mystery or passion. The Scherzo is quite good--more lively and alert than what came before. Giulini brings out the songful side of the great Adagio, without much attention to intensity. At 18+ min., it's paced slower than Klemperer's but within traditional range.

The opening of the finale isn't a discordant outburst--Giulini clearly aims to smooth out Beethoven's roughness. By now you will know if his approach satisfies you. Shirley-Quirk is solid in the bass solo, if not exactly impassioned enough, and the other soloists are never less than good. The chorus is miked loud but muddy; it also sounds harsh in big climaxes. In all, I can't see ranking this Ninth among the best, though it's certainly the mark of a noted musician.

Michael B. Richman, this is THE BEST rendition of the Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th Symphony "Choral".

Solemn, grandiose, monumental, profoundly epic, the true definition of "Classic" in all its scope.

I completely "stumbled" onto this version because I was looking for the Karajan's version, which was completely sold out in all the record stores I went. I bought in an act of desperation. With all due respect to Karajan, his recorded interpretation - or any other I've heard until now - cannot match this one.

I know next to nothing in Classical music matters, but I do know this is the version I liked the most BY FAR.

Check it for yourself, whether you like classical music or not, whether you only love Karajan's works or not, you have to at least own this version of Beethoven's loved Symphony No. 9.

Throw in the 5th Symphony and this would be pure join. My two favorites, the 6th and 9th, in that order, are done to perfection here. And even a better appreciation for the 8th the more I listen. This CD relaxes one's mind, body, and soul like few others. I really need this listen at the end of an extremely hard day. The genius of the man Beethoven.