Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures

Ludwig van Beethoven (Artist), Karl Böhm (Artist), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Artist), Dresden Staatskapelle (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GJF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #15 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Overtures

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Karl Böhm's Beethoven is, on balance, the best complete cycle available from Deutsche Grammophon. This will come as a surprise to many, given the fact that the label relentlessly promotes performances by Herbert von Karajan (three complete cycles!) and Leonard Bernstein, but for quality of playing, as well as superb sound, these versions are just about unbeatable. And at a "twofer" price, the complete set on three pairs of discs is a terrific value. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Thing I Ever Bought., January 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures (Audio CD)

I am so utterly charmed by these recordings that it amazes me.

Right away I greatly preferred Bohm's 6th to the few others that I had heard. I wasn't surprised since it appears to be universally admired. With the seventh I was immediately struck by its classical poise vs. say Kleiber's energy and drive, and thought that I needed to quickly acquire several other versions to figure out what "most" conductors thought the approach should be. I thought Solti's digital 7th was good and definitely in the Kleiber camp. Ashkenazy was next: not a carbon-copy but still also in the energy and drive catagory. Then I discovered that if you listen to the Bohm first during the listening session it doesn't seem "too polite" anymore, it sounds utterly convincing, and the others sound impossibly driven in the III and IV, and nowhere near as impressive as a total performance. And that's without even considering aspects of recording quality or tonal balance. Maybe some will think I'm missing it, but I almost can't listen to the others anymore becauce it really sounds like Bohm nailed it. Number 8. I thought I really loved this work after hearing the '62 Karajan and the Edlinger recording from Naxos. Muti and Szell followed. Good and good. Then I heard the Bohm and it was the same thing all over again. "It's so different," I thought, "slow and almost pokey, though the recording sounds great and the balance is very warm and sweet." Then a few nights later I slip on the headphones and it hits me: this is the greatest interpretation of the most absolutely wonderful music I've ever heard. Pure pleasure, perfect, fun fun fun. Now I really can't listen to other versions anymore(and the digital Solti becomes a cruel joke). So I bought the Bohm 3&9 set and can't wait to get the 1,2,4,5 set. I think Beethoven was an entertainer, not just out to impress. Get these disks, they've got beauty and balance and power in the right places.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive 6th Symphony/Superb 7th Symphony, January 5, 2001

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures (Audio CD)

These expansive, crisp performances of Beethoven symphonies 6, 7 and 8 are among the best available; this two CD set is clearly a key part of one of the finest recorded Beethoven symphony cycles. Karl Bohm does a superlative job conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, getting warm, vibrant performances, most notably from the string and woodwind sections. Bohm's version of the 6th Symphony soars triumphantly, ably recorded by Deutsche Grammophone's sound engineers. His version of the 7th Symphony is almost as thrilling to hear as Carlos Kleiber's version, recorded a few years later with the same orchestra, which many regard as the definitive version. The 8th Symphony is another fine performance too. It is truly amazing how clear and crisp these analogue recordings sound on CD, even though they haven't been remastered via the latest 20/24 bit sound technology.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best version of the sixth!, February 26, 2001

By 

Java Joe (Sheboygan, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures (Audio CD)

Beethoven's sixth is often underappreciated and overlooked. This version will quickly get you to reconsider your opinion if you have dismissed the sixth as "lightweight." The entire symphony is played with exquisite sensitivity. The first two movements, in particular, reveal Beethoven's genius. Bohm gets the orchestra to revel in Beethoven's lush textures. Everying is balanced and played with great delicacy. Bohm's reading of the seventh is quite different than the famous Klieber version. Again, other reviewers have criticized Bohm for being a bit too slow (the only place this is a concern is in his rendering of the fifth). However, Bohm gets a different, though equally satisfying effect from the slower tempo, particularly in the second movement. Bohm gets much more emotional depth out of this movemement than Klieber does. The spirited eighth is every bit as great as Szell's outstanding version with the Cleveland Symphony. In short, this is a "can't miss" cycle. You can't go wrong, and you won't be dissatisfied with Bohm's versions of all nine Beethoven symphonies.