Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Karl Böhm (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Jess Thomas (Performer), Gwyneth Jones (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jess Thomas, Gwyneth Jones
• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Karl Böhm
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (April 11, 1995)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GHL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,665 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Ballets

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This is one of the greatest recordings of the famous Ninth Symphony. It has long been overshadowed by Karajan's three recordings for the same label, as well as Bernstein's version with the same orchestra. But put them all on your CD player and compare, and this is the one you'll be coming back to. Böhm was the least glamorous of conductors, but he approaches the Ninth with messianic zeal and a fanatical gleam in his eye. The opening movement is a cataclysm, the sublime slow movement never loses its contemplative flow, and everyone involved simply sings and plays the pants off of the finale. If the final minute or two doesn't pull you right out of your seat, nothing will. Grab it while you can at this "twofer" price. It's a steal. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Ninth, but..., July 10, 2001

By 

A. Michaelson "A. Michaelson" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures (Audio CD)

I really adore Bohm as a great conductor of Mozart, but I was somewhat suspect of his Beethoven. In my opinion, Beethoven works best at fast tempos, and Bohm is notorious for his rather moderate to slow tempos. I picked up this CD from amazon just a few months ago based on the reviews that it had gotten. Other Bohm/Beethoven CDs that I owned were somewhat of a debacle, with some outrageously slow tempos during moments that should have been played quickly. Still, I bought this 2-CD set, and when it arrived I put on the ninth first. I was rather surprised at the marvelous job Bohm did with this symphony. His moderate tempo and expressive performance is somewhat reminiscent of Furtwangler's great performance. It turned out that it was one of the better ninths in my collection(I still prefer Karajan's recording from his first Beethoven cycle). Next I put on the Third and the overtures, and found that these were even better. Bohm brings out many of the great romantic aspects of this revolutionary and heroic symphony. He also does a great job with the overtures. However, there are some flaws which prevent me from giving this CD 5 stars. First of all, I've heard better singers in the final movement of the Ninth. Second, despite the fact that the more moderate tempos work very well, I still believe the faster tempos work the best, and though this performance is thoroughly enjoyable, I must still choose Karajan's versions as my personal references for beethoven's ninth and third. Lastly, the sound quality isn't too great. I've heard older recordings than this one with clearer and louder sound. Deutsche Grammophon could have done a better job with remastering these discs to improve the sound quality. Overall though, the performances are solid and very enjoyable. This 2-cd set should be a welcome addition to anybody's classical collection.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two, two, two great performances in one!, July 18, 2001

By 

Ed Brickell - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures (Audio CD)

I don't know why everyone is fussing about this performance of the Third. It's the equal of most I've heard, and a darn sight better than many.

The Ninth, however, seems to be the performance everyone is buying this 2-CD set for, and there is no doubt it's a special one. The singing does seem a bit too forwardly balanced in the finale, but that's just nitpicking. It is a highly emotional reading without any artificial "whipping up" of sentiment. This music was food, drink, and air to Bohm, and it's in the orchestra's very blood. And my god, what an orchestra!

While listening to Gardiner and his hell-bent-for-leather "authentic" kinsmen is like a shove into a bracingly cold pool, Bohm is like taking a measured stroll through a spectacular cathedral. Both approaches are enjoyable to me, and having heard both, I wouldn't want one without the other. Beethoven's music is too big to insist on any one "right" way to perform it.

Buy this CD for not just one, but TWO outstanding performances --and at budget price.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not even Bohm's best version, January 25, 2000

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 9; Overtures (Audio CD)

I guess it is just a matter of taste. While there is nothing wrong with this performance I disagree with those showering it with such praise. It is a straightforward reading with little imagination. What is more the recorded sound is a bit muddy and the climaxes I often look forward to when I listen to this symphony are more difficult to hear. I much prefer Bohm's later digital version with the same orchestra with Jessye Norman and Placido Domingo also on the DG label. Even though the later version is inordinately slower, I think it holds the dramatic tension of the whole work together a little better. The digital sound is undoubtedly better. Overall I would not rate this as an "essential" recording. If you want to hear an essential recording of this work (in my opinion) try to obtain the Ferenc Fricsay version with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra on the DG label from the 1950's(it is available through import). It is superb, and the recording quality is excellent.