Beethoven: Nine Symphonies [Box set]

José van Dam (Performer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Wiener Singverein (Performer), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Anna Tomowa-Sintow (Performer), Peter Schreier (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: José van Dam, Wiener Singverein, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Peter Schreier
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (July 3, 1990)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 6
• 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: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GBT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,709 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I respectfully disagree, February 27, 2002

By 

Warren R. Davis (Haddonfield, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Nine Symphonies (Audio CD)

I relish listening to each of the Karajan Beethoven cycles. But I will not join the persistent near consensus which hails the 1963 cycle over the 70's version heard here, nor the last cycle from the 80's. The 1963 Berliners were fiery, but rarely elegant; the 1970's Berliners, more elegant. After the 60s, the partnership with Karajan, although sometimes rocky, was a devoted one, and the results became extraordinary - the best was even better.

There is a balance of precision and emotion in this later period which Karajan and the orchestra achieved over decades together. Surely this perfect blend is what Beethoven might have idealized. Listen to the phrases he wrote, and try to gauge if they could be played with a greater combination of technical perfection and passion than heard in this cycle. One can hope for more fire as in 1963, but not more passion by these musicians. At the most important moments, this collaboration very nearly transcends the limits of human artistry, and that is all we could hope for.

The Seventh and Ninth are the richest treasures of the Karajan-Beethoven cycles, and this is, I think, the best Seventh (including the last version by Karajan/BPO). Richard Osbourne, the distinguished Gramophone magazine reviewer, over the years repeatedly gave rapturous praise to this recording, and I can't see the slightest reason to disagree.

All of the symphonies as recorded here are highest caliber and will not disappoint. This includes the Ninth. While the last recording from the 1980s set somewhat excels in recorded (digital) sound, the soloists in this rendering are arguably superior. The last version also benefits from a matured collaboration between Karajan and the BPO, which despite the occasional spats forged some of the most glorious recorded music available. But those differences are really only marginal. This Ninth commands its own respect.

Certainly, there are no better complete sets of these symphonies than any of those by Karajan and the BPO. (The Karajan/Philaharmonia set on EMI suffers by comparison for its 1950s technology.) Two complete sets, both by Bruno Walter, are equal to Karajan's interpretations: the monaural set with the NYPO (except the Phila. Orch. in Sym. 6), and the set in stereo with the handpicked-for-Walter (largely LA Phil) - sometimes underrated but really superb - Columbia Symphony Orchestra. However, there are comparable performances of individual symphonies, the most important of the Ninth, of course. The concert performances by Furtwaengler (war time BPO and 1951 Bayreuth Festival), Klemperer (1957 and 1961, both with the Philharmonia on BBC Testament), and Walter (especially fiery with the London Phil in 1947 on Music & Arts, among others in NY and Vienna), are certainly rivals to any of the Karajan recordings. But these are not part of complete cycles, and even Klemperer's marvelous EMI recordings of the 3rd, 5th, and 7th symphonies are studio versions, not on a par with his extraordinary concert performances. This recorded cycle was well worth it at full price, and the performances rarely equalled.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring me the desert island, please., December 16, 2005

By 

Good Stuff "noreasonableofferrefused" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Nine Symphonies (Audio CD)

I've always been an admirer of Karajan's Beethoven. I pretty much cut my Beethoven teeth on the much lauded (by me, too) sixties set. In many peoples' minds I suppose it will never be surpassed.

However, in nearly every respect, this mid-seventies undertaking is a better set. I have, as have others, quibbles with certain decisions Karajan makes. For example, he seems to have no problem occasionally ignoring Beethoven's calls for repeats, while at other times he observes them scrupulously. It seems to me that if Beethoven says to do it, then you should do it. Karajan, apparently, doesn't agree.

One could quickly lapse into a minutiae-induced stupor over details. However, a couple will suffice: This is, without doubt, Karajan's best recorded Sixth. That said, it must be admitted his overall concept of this symphony has always been, for some, a weak link. I agree. Simply, there are probably better Sixth's in the catalog, although none could possibly be better played, interpretation not withstanding. Also, this Fifth is to be preferred over the earlier version, ignored repeats and all. The Ninth, arguably the crown jewel of the earlier set, is remarkable here. The soloists are all admirable, even if they aren't Janowitz, Ludwig, et al.

All-in-all, a magnificent undertaking, beautifully realized on CD.

Finally, as most know, Karajan undertook the complete symphonies one last time, near the end of his career (and life) in the early eighties. They are great. The sound is generally great (although not really better in any demonstrable way than here). But Karajan and his Berlin orchestra were having legal, personal and personnel problems which would finally force the Maestro to leave Berlin all together for his final few recordings. At this stage, probably the less said about the utterly disgraceful treatment the ailing Maestro was subjected to, the better. However, that final recorded cycle suffers, I think, from these problems. There are, at times, a certain sloppiness to the procedings Karajan would never have tolerated earlier in his life.

Happily, we have cycle two, in glorious mid-seventies Berlin sound, as a living testament of Karajan's superlative Beethoven.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Karajan's best Beethoven Symphony cycles, April 19, 2007

By 

Alan Majeska "Alan Majeska" (Bad Axe, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Nine Symphonies (Audio CD)

Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) recorded the Beethoven Symphonies four different times: with the Philharmonia Orchestra (early 1950s, EMI); with the Berlin Philharmonic (1961-62, DG); again with Berlin (1975-77, DG: THIS recording), and finally, in Berlin (1982-85, DG). Most critics consider either the 1961-2 or THIS recording to be Karajan's best Beethoven Symphony cycle. (The EMI has cramped sound, and the last cycle shows Karajan's eccentric side: somehow it doesn't "jell" and sound like Beethoven to me - it's more Karajan than Beethoven.)

These have Karajan's best Beethoven Symphony 5 and Symphony 6 recordings. The Berlin Philharmonic has the lush, rich sound Karajan was known for and will be remembered for by future generations of music lovers. The other symphonies are all very fine, too.

I should state my allegiences are for Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG, 1970-72) in most of these symphonies. I also like Szell/Cleveland (Sony) for Symphonies 1, 3, 4 and 9; and Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony for Symphony 3,4,5, and 7 (Sony). Thomas Beecham's EMI recordings of Symphonies 2 and 7 with the Royal Philharmonic are worth seeking out.

Karajan is very fine, if you don't have an allegience to a given conductor, as I do to Karl Bohm.