Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 3 & 8 [Hybrid SACD] [Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Osmo Vänskä (Conductor), Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Minnesota Orchestra
• Conductor: Osmo Vänskä
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (June 27, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD, Import
• Label: Bis
• ASIN: B000FDFRPU
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,191 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: 1. Allegro con brio

2. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: 2. Marcia funebre. Adagio assai

3. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace

4. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: 4. Finale. Allegro molto - Poco andante - Presto

5. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: 1. Allegro vivace e con brio

6. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: 2. Allegretto scherzando

7. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: 3. Tempo di Menuetto

8. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: 4. Allegro vivace

Editorial Reviews

On sale while supplies last. Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major "Eroica" Symphony No. 8 in F Major

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Same proficiency, same problem, June 28, 2006

By 

Ryan Richards "reb77" (Midland, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 3 & 8 [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

After hearing Vanska's interpretations of Beethoven's Fourth and Fifth Symphonies last year, I got exactly what I expected with this follow-up effort. Vanska's claim to fame with his last disc was absolute orchestral precision à la George Szell, and he brings it to bear in this disc as well: very rarely, if ever, have I heard an orchestra so technically proficient and musically aware as the Minnesota Orchestra is here. Pianissimos are almost silent and fortissimos ring out. Every member of the orchestra hits each note dead-on and with lockstep precision. The music has well-judged tempi and a real sense of flow; many conductors fall into the trap of making Beethoven symphonies sound like a series of choppy episodes, but Vanska expertly molds everything into one coherent "big picture." So there's no lack of skill here. The problem I have with this CD is the same problem I had with Vanska's last Beethoven outing: no matter how intense the orchestra gets, it never sounds like Vanska is quite letting the reins go. There's an ever-so-slightly restrained quality to these interpretations, an overarching feel of politeness where none is needed. This isn't apparent when listening to this CD by itself, but compare this Eroica to Thomas Dausgaard's new Eroica on the Simax label to understand what sort of hell-for-leather fire a conductor can wring out of this symphony. Despite this small flaw, the technical proficiency and sense of musicality, the shaping of musical episodes, is beyond reproach with this CD, and so I give it a qualified, four-and-a-half-star recommendation. But it doesn't supplant my Szell, Dohnányi, and now Dausgaard recordings of one or both of these works.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Refreshing, May 28, 2007

By 

MasterG (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 3 & 8 [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

Anyone criticizing this recording because it doesn't have the fire or intensity of a Karajan or Furtwangler or whatever conductor is missing the point. Osmo Vanska was initially reluctant to put out a Beethoven cycle precisely because there were already so many great recordings out there and those recordings pretty much said it all. He only agreed to do his own Beethoven because he felt he could bring a fresh perspective to it. In that regard, he is highly successful, and the praise these recordings have earned is well-deserved.

The sound Vanska favors here is much leaner and technically clean than many other performances, and the dynamics seem to leap out at you when you least expect it. The musicality of these performances is helped immensely by a total commitment by the musicians of the excellent Minnesota Orchestra. The intensity in these recordings comes from within the sound rather from everyone just playing with a lush and romantic tone.

That being said, however, I have to admit I do miss some of the sonic weight and drive of other performances. Perhaps it has something to do with the recording - the winds usually sound kind of muted to me, which is not very characteristic of Orchestra Hall in which all the sections of the orchestra come through loud and clear.

In any case, if you're just looking for another version of these symphonies that sounds like everything else you're used to then you might as well not bother with this. But a more thoughtful and committed performance you'll not find.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only 2nd to being there Live!, November 15, 2006

By 

Michael Thompson (Bloomington, MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 3 & 8 [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

I was fortunate enough to be in attendance to the Minnesota Orchestra preformance of Beethoven's Symphony no 3, and this SACD is about as close as you can get. Absolutely unbeliveable sound quality. One of the must have SACD's for any collection.