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
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.
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