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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the mono?, April 10, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies (complete) / Overtures (Audio CD)
Klemperer is one of the greatest interpreters of Beethoven and his recordings with the Philharmonia Orchestra remain some of the best interpretations on disc. So why only 4 stars, you ask? The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th are all great, as is the 9th, except that the scherzo is a bit slow and the soloists are a bit of an ear-sore. It's the 4th, 5th and 7th in this set that are the problems. Instead of offering the mono versions of these works, which Klemperer performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra, EMI chose to include the later, worse mono versions. The stereo 3rd is nearly as good as the mono, but the 5th and 7th are too slow and too dull. This set is probably worth buying for 1,2,3,4,6,8 and 9, but I would wait until EMI choses to release the mono versions of the 3rd, 5th, and 7th, if they ever do.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Monumental and powerful readings of classic grandeur., October 6, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies (complete) / Overtures (Audio CD)
These interpretations remain a classic, as solid and monumental as the conductor's view of most of the works. They have never been out of the catalogue. Tempos are slow -specially for today's hectic standards- but they convey all the architectural riches of Beethoven's invention. There is plenty of tension and fire, but in a different, more exalted and grander scale. They will demand a lot from you, both in terms of concentration and intellectual commitment but the rewards will be greater than you can imagine. Klemperer's approach is particularly successful in Symphonies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9. The "Eroica" is one of the best versions available. The sound remains extraordinarily good (most of the recording were made in the late 50's). A serious collection must include this set.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoy the edonist way of conducting Beethoven, October 16, 1998
This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies (complete) / Overtures (Audio CD)
This is not only an other cycle of Beethoven Symphonies but one that must not be missed. May be the account of the music is not as bombastic as the Karajan experience but, who sayed that Karajan was the greatest conductor? Klemperer is one of the gratest german fisrt-half-century conductors with Furtwangler, Walter, Knapertbusch... so if you like the experience of search the light beyond the misty romantic music, don't miss this oportunity. You will find it. Only one example: listen the 2nd movement of the 3rd symphonie and feel the absolute sadness. I couldn'y find any other version even as good as this one. You can tell me that the last movemente is quite slow and has not a bombastic end developement but, what for? If you are looking for fireworks go to Karajan, who was described by Celebidache "like the Coca-Cola, refreshing but without any deep relevance". I do not agree with the complete meaning of this afirmation, but is not tu untrue.
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