Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 & No. 5: "Egmont" Overture

Ludwig van Beethoven (Artist), Leonard Bernstein (Artist), New York Philharmonic (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029XD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,317 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Beethoven 5th recording!, October 29, 2002

By 

William J. Finn "wjf88" (Sarasota Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 & No. 5: "Egmont" Overture (Audio CD)

I can always come back to this recording and remember when I first heard it. It made an impression on my young soul at the time that can never be shaken. If you like your Beethoven 'hot' then you should look no further. It is impassioned, expresive and very well played. Now that I am older, I am just beginning to appreciate the very nice subtlety in this recording as well.

This is the way I hear this music in my head. Lenny just made it easier.

But be warned, this is a 1960's era recording - you are now in the 5th row.

A very wonderful job of re-mastering I should add, this sounds better than ever on the new CD.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WORTH the FOURTH, April 17, 2006

By 

Timothy "Sutton" (Arkana, Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 & No. 5: "Egmont" Overture (Audio CD)

Yes - Bernstein has always taken the first movement of the fifth with weight!

I may agree that the first movement of Symp 5 is under where I hear it, however the playing is done with commitment, and the rest of the symphony is wonderful.

And yes, here Bernstein provides what may be the slowest recorded tempo of the first movement to date (perhaps it's worth it alone for that reason!?) -- however the freshness and vitality that LB and the NYP display on the Fourth Symphony is nothing short of breathtaking!

It's pure Bernstein - it's fresh, it's youthful, it's bliss, it's ecstasy. This is one of the finest takes of Beethoven 4 I know of - which is probably Beethoven's most under-estimated symphony. Bernstein captures the exact character needed to sell this work.

A very exciting read of Egmont as well.

This CD is WORTH THE FOURTH!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beethoven Symphony No 5, Bernstein and the NYPO, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 & No. 5: "Egmont" Overture (Audio CD)

This is simply a great recording of a great symphony. I have the original 1963 33rpm recording and the CD is as good or better. Yes, the first movement is slower than most but Bernstein's speed adds greater emotion. Those that have only listened to versions of the modern era that do not include all of the repeats will be a bit surprised. But remember, this is one of the only top quality recordings where all of the notes Beethoven wrote are played and played where he intended.