Customer Reviews

Immortal Beloved (Soundtrack)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I actually bought the soundtrack first before watching the movie, because I happen to find it in my local Borders store. This CD has been constantly occupying my walkman and my stereo. I find it absolutely refreshing and relaxing just listening to this CD while taking public transport, as well as in my room chilling out. Yes, Beethoven has never sounded better. I am at the present moment collecting versions of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, No. 9 and the "Emperor Piano Concerto", and i have to say that those three excerpt recordings in this CD are one of the best around. It's a pity that Sir Georg Solti and Murray Perahia did not give us complete recorded movements, or even the whole work itself, as this CD is but a soundtrack. Nevertheless, the rest of the tracks are also fantastic and wonderfully recorded, featuring artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax, Pamela Frank and Renee Fleming. Sound quality is excellent, a great job well done by Sony records.

This CD deserves the 5-star rating that it has received and will be receiving from me, an excellent selection of the most powerful, heartwrenching, peaceful, exhilirating and glorious works ever written by the one composer: Ludwig van Beethoven.

As Amadeus praised and popularized the music of Mozart, which triggered a cd chalk-full of his greatest moments, Immortal Beloved has created a cd which captures the very spirit of Beethoven. He is long dead, but we hear his soul speak again to us through his music. The film, starring Oldman and Rossalini, centered on the mysterious love letter Beethoven wrote at the end of his life, to an "Immortal Beloved", whose love he carried with him throughout his life. This woman is either one of three women Beethoven was involved with, a widowed Countess of great fortune, a pupil of his and his brother's own wife, the blonde beauty he had loved in his youth. Only if you saw the movie do you know who this Immortal Beloved was, but the music set to the film, all works by Beethoven, capture not only the romance, but the genius, intensity, even pain that Beethoven experienced throughout his life. As a result of his deafness, he was only able to hear music in his head, music which we have come to know and love, works like his Ninth Symphony, a powerful, dynamic choral symphony that evokes liberty and universal love, the Eroica Symphony which he had written in honor for Napoleon until he discovered "he made himself an enemy to all " by crowning himself Emperor, the Moonlgiht Sonata which rumor has it he meant to musically describe what the moon looked like to an old blind woman, the Allegretto of his Seventh Symphony has an airy, somber and majestic beauty that fills us. The Kyrie of his Requiem is masterfully performed here by choral singers, including opera star Renee Fleming. The piano and violin pieces, Ghost Trio and Kreutzer Sonata, are all brilliantly performed by violinist extraordinare Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emmanuel Ax. The music is a must have for all Beethoven fans, and I mean all. If you are a true Beethoven afficionado, this cd will become your trophy. Enjoy and listen to the music of a man whose genius touches us to this day

It is a shame that this project was for a soundtrack, and not full productions of the glorious works highlighted on it. The majority of the tracks are outstanding, played by such masters as Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma.

However, Sir Georg Solti and Murray Perahia get the gold. Solti's brilliant, vivid readings of the movements from select Beethoven symphonies are nothing short of inspired. Perahia's exquisite taste and touch on the piano has no rival. And when the two men team up to play two movements from the "Emperor" concerto together... well, let's just say that they are playing *Beethoven*, and not merely his music. The music jumps to life under their capable hands as they draw out colors and textures never before heard in this work. The second movement, especially, is unsurpassed in its beauty.

In short, whether or not you are a classical music fan, or whether or not you saw or liked the movie, not to buy this CD is to pass up on the experience of a lifetime.

If you are just entering the world of Beethovens' works, this might be just the ticket for you. From the familiar opening bars of Symphony # 5 to the majestic 'Ode To Joy', this is a fantastic overview of his music. Sir Georg Solti is joined by the London Symphonic orchestra with guests such as Yo-Yo- ma, Murray Perahia, etc. Should you want a great recording of Beethovens' 9 symphonies, try the 5 cd set by Karajan.

To get truncated works in such an expensive collection is a waste of money. Go for sets by established artists and begin to enjoy the works in their entirety. Many of these sets go for far less then this movie soundtrack and are valuable for presenting the complete works as Beethoven intended. One cannot pay homage to a master composer by deciding to play unrelated snippets of their works. Particularly when the works are put together as complete units with the unique genius of Beethoven. You may as well listen to Beethoven with ocean sounds as this. I did a quick search on Beethoven in amazon and these titles came up immediately:

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna PO -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Beethoven: 9 Symphonies, Overtures / Bernstein, Vienna PO -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Beethoven: The 9th Symphony / Solti, Chicago SO & Chorus -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Beethoven: The Piano Concertos / Ashkenazy, Solti -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Artur Rubinstein - Beethoven: Piano Sonatas - Moonlight, etc -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), Artur Rubinstein (Performer); Audio CD.

All of these, accept the complete 9 Symphony set, cost less then this CD. Even that however, is a bargain at 56 dollars for 9 complete Symphonies. Do yourself a favor and get a complete recording of any of the works you enjoy. You will then go on to purchase more.

Beautiful recordings of Beethoven's finest works by the top names in symphony today. The London Symphony does a tremendous job under the conduction of Sir George Solti. The musical soloists perform at their musical best throughout the album. The sound quality is SUPERB. Beethoven has never sounded better.

This CD is perfect in my opinion. The recording is perfect, the pitch is perfect, the tempo is perfect, and the track selections are perfect. I think the album samples Beethoven's most remarkable pieces of work from his early years to his death. I have heard many recordings of the Ninth symphony that was just executed poorly; which is a shame because it is such a powerful piece. However, this album does it superbly. Sir Georg Solti and Murray Perahia did an amazing job with this album.

The album just flows really well from one piece to the next evoking a vast array of emotions along the way. Beethoven is timeless and forever will be. There is no comparison even to this day. This a wonderful tribute to the artist.

I appreciate classical music, but am not by any means a connoisseur. However, when the classical music critic in my newspaper gave this soundtrack the rare five star rating I went out and purchased it. Ever since it has been the album that calms my soul. When I am feeling at a loss, it is like scripture in music. It is gorgeous, lush, and very accessible. I actually have never seen the movie, too scared that it will ruin my own images when I hear the songs. So beautiful and one assumes that this is pretty top level talent with Ax and Yo-Yo Ma. It made Beethoven my favourite composer.

This soundtrack is as excellent as the movie. The selections make you experience the movie over again without viewing it.

What could be more beautiful than the music of Beethoven. For me, the best composer of all time. He reduces human emotion to music. You can laugh, cry, become enraged, afraid, etc, by merely listening to the masterpieces of the maestro.

This CD makes you want to listen to the works in their entirety.

Superb listening, if you want a sample of Beethoven. But if you listen, you'll want more and more.

"Immortal Beloved" was a romantic, hypnotic, visually rich film. The soundtrack is just as fantastic. And no wonder, it is nothing but Beethoven's greatest works. It is more exquisite than any film soundtrack has the right to be, with the music being performed by Emanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Gidon Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma, Murray Perahia and The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Georg Solti. Listening to "Immortal Beloved: The Soundtrack," is a moving experience that reminds you of the first time Beethoven's music captured your ear...and heart. Here is solid proof of his genius and his rightful title as the greatest composer who ever lived. Just listen to the hypnotic, moving sound of his "Moonlight Sonata" or "Elise." And who can forget the exhilarating feel of the 5th Symphony with the most famous musical opening ever devised. The performance of "Ode to Joy" is simply magnificent and fills with, what else? Joy. Beethoven's music gets the fine treatment in this soundtrack as it does in the film. We can feel his disturbed genius, his sad love stories, his deep passions. What is the music but not pure passions played out with sound? This work is epic, moving, haunting, hypnotic, grand and romantic. A great CD for those who love great music.