Beethoven:The Symphonies [Box set]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Christian Thielemann (Conductor), Wiener Philharmoniker (Orchestra), Annette Dasch (Performer), Mihoku Fujimura (Performer), Piotr Beczala (Performer), Georg Zeppenfeld (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Annette Dasch, Mihoku Fujimura, Piotr Beczala, Georg Zeppenfeld
• Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
• Conductor: Christian Thielemann
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (December 27, 2011)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 7
• 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: SONY MASTERWORKS
• ASIN: B005D4Y522
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,206 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

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Editorial Reviews

2012 seven disc (six CDs + DVD) set. Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic devoted an entire concert series in Vienna's famous Golden Hall between 2008 and 2010 to the complete symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven. The audience and critics alike were delighted by Thielemann's new interpretation, and now Sony Classical proudly releases this concert event in a deluxe box set. The special Limited edition set contains six CDs plus the bonus DVD, Making van Beethoven, which documents the recording process and includes interviews with Thielemann and the orchestra. This handsome package also contains a hard-cover book with deluxe linen covering and liner notes by University of Cambridge professor Timothy C.W. Blanning.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars giacomo, February 20, 2012

By 

James A. Cronin - See all my reviews

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

Christian Thielemann and the Wiener Philharmoniker have created between them a new way of hearing the Beethoven Symphonies. While the approach may sound radical to those used to Klemperer, Bernstein and others, it is a revolutionary and deeply creative effort. First, in listening to these recordings, one can hear every section of the orchestra with complete clarity, in perfect balance, one not overriding the other, and with the greatest sensitivity to the rich tones of which each instrument and orchestral section is capable. I've not heard anything like this in any other recording, which now seem muddy and heavy handed by comparison. Thielemann himself explains his approach in the accompanying DVD as combining what's been learned through hearing what are now traditional approaches to Beethoven's music with the newer tradition to attempt to hear what Beethoven might have intended the symphonies to sound like by the use of period instruments (such as was done by Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music). He certainly takes liberties with traditional tempi and other aspects of the symphonies, but in doing so, forces us to listen more closely to their incredible richness. As an example, the lyrical feeling brought to the third movement of the Ninth Symphony was so astonishing, I had to listen to it twice the first time I played it. And the choir in the fourth movement achieves a power that will knock you down. Run, do not walk, to the nearest classical music outlet for these symphonies.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars L'interprétation que j'attendais !, January 29, 2012

By 

Michel Corbeil - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven:The Symphonies (Audio CD)

Avec Christian Thielemann, c'est le romantisme... même avec Beethoven. Donc des tempos qui rappelent Furtvangler et klemperer. Ici, on est loin des interprétations baroques. Avec l'orchestre de Vienne, on est en présence de la meilleure orchestre au monde et ça se sent. Assurément, l'un des plus beaux enregistrements des 9 symphonies de Beethoven de tous les temps !

6 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, January 12, 2012

By 

J. K. Davis MD (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven:The Symphonies (Audio CD)

The best news is lack of ambient noise in these live recordings. The orchestra sounds rather distant in spots. There are slow tempi, which at many points produces a loss of momentum and even a sensation of the music "dragging" along. Symphony 8 and parts of 3,5 and 9 especially seem slower in feel than even indicated by the timings. I thought that symphonies 4 and 7 fared the best, but even those were unexceptional. The packaging is high-end, but this set measures up to the recent Chailly only in that respect. The Rattle/VPO Beethoven symphonies come to mind as a comparable let-down.