Beethoven: The Symphonies [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Karita Mattila (Artist), Violetta Urmana (Artist), Thomas Moser (Artist), Thomas Quasthoff (Artist), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Claudio Abbado (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Swedish Radio Choir (Performer), Eric Ericson Chamber Choir (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Swedish Radio Choir, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (November 21, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• 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: B00004YZ33
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,352 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearing The Cobwebs, December 11, 2000

By 

Rodney Hrvatin (Adelaide, South Australia Australia) - See all my reviews

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

If ever there was a doubt over Abbado's ability over ten years to clear the cobwebs created by Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic then this is it. Whilst many people might greet this cycle with a cry of "ANOTHER Beethoven cycle???" they do it at their peril. Using the critically acclaimed new editions prepared by Jonathan Del Mar, Abbado puts together a cycle of rare insight and vision. Unlike John Eliot Gardiner who sacrifices beauty for speed, Abbado in this cycle not only adopts a faster approach to many of the symphonies than Karajan but still manages to pay as much attention to detail to the articulation and phrasing required in such complex works, with astoundingly clear results. At all times the Berliners deliver clear and highly skilled (would we expect anything less??) playing, responding well to Abbado's direction. Highlights are the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th symphonies, the latter receiving one of the freshest and most astounding performances in years. Take a chance and buy this set, it worth every cent and you will playing it for years to come. And not an original instrument in sight either.....

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Amazing Beethoven Symphony Recordings, December 17, 2000

By 

Daniel D. Kim "illuminatus" (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

These are, as other people wrote, not ordinary Beethoven symphony recordings. There are many many recordings, but this set is superior to many. The score used for the recording is the newest version which I think is very accurate. If you know the symphonies well, you will find them different. There is a slight shift of the focus of the tone in this version because of the new edition. The overall impression is very fresh and clean. Compared to highly acclaimed Karajan's recordings of the 70's, there seems to be brighter and clean in the sounds in this one. Karajan's recordings have oil-painting like qualities. The sound is very thick and dark. The resulting sound is thoroughly modern. Abbado's recordings have water-colour painting like qualities. This was achieved in part by reducing the size of the orchestra. He is more classical in his approach.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Definitive Cycle, December 28, 2000

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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

This is a great cycle of Beethoven symphonies. It could be a new definitive cycle due to Claudio Abbado's virtually faithful adherence to the new Jonathan Del Mar-edited scores and the Berlin Philharmonic's warm, crisp playing that is more reminiscent of a chamber orchestra than a major symphony orchestra. This is undoubtedly due to Abbado's decision to use a smaller orchestra, in an effort to create music more evocative of the early 19th Century without using original instruments. Sure, there are a couple of glaring flaws, most notably the excessive speed through which Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic rush through the finale of the 7th Symphony. I concurr with Amazon's reviewer in his comparison of Abbado's and the Berlin Philharmonic's two recordings of the 9th symphony; the earlier Sony version is a bit more electrifying than the one for Deutsche Grammophon. Yet there is much to be admired in this new cycle, starting with what is unquestionably the best recorded - and performed - digital version of the 3rd Symphony. The employees at my favorite used CD store in New York City speak highly of this cycle; after hearing it in its entirety, I join them in their lavish praise.