Customer Reviews

Symphonies 1-9 / Overtures

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I grew up listening to these recordings on LP (and, indeed, wore out two sets) and they still strike me as some of the most satisfying interpretations of the Nine symphonies ever recorded. Szell was sometimes said to be a "cold" conductor, and the idiocy of that critical judgment is clear in every bar of these performances: these are some of the most emotionally powerful and intense performances ever recorded. George Szell was a master, and his Cleveland Orchestra was one of the greatest ensembles ever. This set would be one of the very best if it were at full price: at budget price, it's a miraculous bargain.

Many recent Beethoven recordings are known for their "authenticity" or "historical accuracy". The fact is, we have no idea exactly how Beethoven's music was performed during his lifetime, and none of the many "original instrument" performances that I have heard can come close to the emotional depth and musicality of the Szell/Cleveland recordings. In addition to reminding us of Szell's flawless leadership, these discs feature superlative performances by some of the greatest musicians that have ever lived: Principal Oboist Marc Lifschey, the late, great Clarinetist Robert Marcellus, Tympanist Clloyd Duff, Hornist Myron Bloom as well as the rest of this legendary ensemble. And all for a great price, too. This is far superior to any other collection of Beethoven Symphonies I have heard. Really, this is music making at it's best!

This CD collection of performances originally recorded in the 60's showcases the Szell/Cleveland combination at the height of the maestro's form. All of the readings are memorable with the 3rd and 7th particularly intense. The ADD remastering is very good providing sound quality that is full and clear. This set can hold its own with any on the market and deserves a place in any serious Beethoven collector's library.

Different conductors interpret Beethoven's Symphonies very differently. Szell's performances contained in this set have been among my favorites - especially the Ninth Symphony. I have heard other recordings of the Ninth that may be better in sensory qualities (richer orchestral sound, more vivid recording...). However, this one speaks to me so much spiritually. It brings out the `higher realization evident in the Ninth' so clearly and convincingly, with such power and subtlety at the same time. I feel very blessed to have come to experience what is contained the Ninth through this recording. It has played an integral part in my development.

These CD's were my first experience with Beethoven's symphonies. The execution is masterful at all times, save perhaps one or two of the overtures. In particular, the buildup of the Finale for the fourth movement(Presto) of the 9th symphony, with its low solo and subsequent development and the thunderous climax, was one of the most enjoyable parts. This is the best collection of Beethoven's symphonies I have ever listened to.

There has not yet been and probably never will be a set like this. This is the reference standard for how the Nine should be interpreted and executed. The precision and technical expertise with which conductor and orchestra carry this off is a marvel. Every note sounds exactly as it should. Every phrase, every line sounds totally natural as though it was preordained to sound like this. The only gripe can be found with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus which sounds (perhaps due to the sound engineer) fuzzy and unfocused. The Overtures fare less well as Szell insists on having them played at a sound level one would expect a band to play "The Stars and Stripes Forever." It would be difficult to quibble with the virtuosity and the reading...just that the guys and gals from Severance should have ignored their leader and put at least a few ppp's into their recording.

Have you ever heard any of the so-called period recordings of Beethoven's symphonies? Well, forget about them! George Szell may not have been a period innovator, but he was one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. And few recordings have been able to match the greatness of Szell's Beethoven. Now, I do not believe in such a thing as authenticity when it comes to how a work of music should be played. I don't mind if they're just trying to recreate how it would have been played during Beethoven's time, but must Roger Norrington and others say that they HAVE to be played that way to be appreciated? (Norrington, please hit the showers.)

IMHO, George Szell's Beethoven may not be in period form, but they blow away a lot of other versions, especially in his recordings of the 3rd, 6th, and 9th symphonies. Even Norrington's 9th is no match for Szell. He simply gets blown away by Szell's mastery of the Cleveland Orchestra and the chorus under the direction of the great Robert Shaw. Just listen, and you'll see why.

Finally, there is not a performance among the rest that isn't at least very good. Even the 5th sounds well played....

If I had to recommend one Beethoven symphony cycle to someone who didn't want to get multiple versions of each symphony, The Szell/Cleveland cycle would be it, regardless of price. The strange but welcome fact that it is also one of the cheapest on the market makes the choice a no-brainer. Rarely do you pay LESS for a HIGHER qualilty product. This set is better than most, and a case could be made for it being the all-round best. Certainly, from the standpoint of musicianship there are very few sets that can rank alongside it. Yet the price comes to less than ten dollars per disc!! If you don't have this, get it before the executives at Sony wake up and start charging $70 or $80 for it.

There are many ways to perform Beethoven.

Szell's is one, and a legitimate one. Clarity and strength of line are two of the characteristics he brings to this music. If you want to linger, to bathe in the beauty of sound, this isn't your Beethoven set.

By the way...I really liked the commentary by Amazon's "official" reviewer, especially the remark about Von Karajan-worship. I heard less and less in Von Karajan's recordings over the years and seldom listen to them today. It does show how one's perceptions, and musical tastes, can change over the years.

But that HAS NOT happened to my perception of the Szell set.

i've listened to a lot of beethoven (though not as much as some cd collectors), and i have come to the conclusion that this set is definitely one of the best: it has excellent accounts of all nine symphonies, it has great sound for its time, the cleveland orchestra is in its top form, and szell is simply a great beethoven conductor. just name a set and this one will go head to head or better: karajan (63, dg), bohm (dg), toscanini (rca), gardiner, etc. this is how good it is: i have no idea why sony decided it's worthless to me it's worth 100 dollars.