Beethoven: Symphonies 1, 2, 3 "Eroica", & 8 / Sawallisch

Ludwig van Beethoven (Artist), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Artist), Wolfgang Sawallisch (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00000JQI9
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,693 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dispassionate, traditional Beethoven, if that's what you like, May 21, 2006

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Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Symphonies 1, 2, 3 "Eroica", & 8 / Sawallisch (Audio CD)

Wolfgang Sawallisch became a house conductor for EMI in the mono era over fifty years ago; he made these Beethoven symphony recordings in his twilight years with the Concertgebouw. The Eroica and First Sym. from 1996 could be from 1956. Tempos tend to be relaxed, a bit slow, the tension pulled back. But such an approach, despite its traditional virtues of balance and good taste, would have been considered second-rate even back then. Just because you've entered your twilight doesn't mean you've gotten better, and the old Sawallisch sounds quite dull. The best moments come in the light-textured, almost deliate treatment of the faster movements in Sym. #1, #2, and #8. Even he cana't prevent the Concertgebouw from playing beautifully. That, and the low price may make this EMI two-fer attractive to you.