Beethoven: 9 Symphonien; Ouvertüren [Box Set] [BOX SET]

Kurt Moll (Performer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Gwyneth Jones (Performer), René Kollo (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Kurt Moll, Gwyneth Jones, René Kollo
• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001G98
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #254,287 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Leonard Bernstein's Beethoven cycle for Deutsche Grammophon has remained one of the best around for nearly three decades. It was the first large project that Bernstein recorded live--or mostly live, there were patch-up sessions after each concert--and these performances really do capture the inspiration of the moment. Particularly outstanding are the versions of Symphonies 3, 6, 7, and 9, though reaction to Bernstein's Fifth is a matter of taste. On balance, though, this is an excellent set. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best sets around, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

This is Bernstein in his prime conducting the greatest symphonies ever composed, with the world's greatest symphony orchestra, the VPO. Bernstein never failed to put his individual stamp on interpretations, and these recordings are no exception. I like the "live" feel of the recordings, with numbers 3,6,7, and 9 particularly good. If you live in the U.S. the only way to purchase nos. 1,2,4,7, and 8 is in this set. You currently cannot purchase them individually (unless you order it from overseas). Number 7 is one of the best ever recorded in my opinion, and number 9 is the best of Bernstein's three versions available. The only letdown was number 5, which is quirky. On the whole a great set.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bernstein, Beethoven and the Vienna Philharmonic : Great Set, August 25, 2001

By	John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic enjoyed a great musical partnership which spanned nearly two and a half decades. Bernstein's excellent Beethoven symphony cycle was one of the finest recordings he did for Deutsche Grammophon. Admittedly the sound quality isn't as refined as a studio recording, but these are very good to exceptional performances of Beethoven's symphonies. The only major disappointment is his reading of the 5th symphony, which isn't nearly as inspiring as Bohm's - or especially Kleiber's - with the Vienna Philharmonic. His splendid reading of the 3rd Symphony is far more elegant than any I have heard from Karajan. Other great performances include those of the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 9th symphonies. The two finest performances are of the 7th and 8th symphonies, with Bernstein's riveting account of the 7th almost as fine as Kleiber's. Unfortunately, Deutsche Grammophon's inadequate placing of recording microphones resulted in less than optimal sound quality; for example one can not easily distinguish between the woodwind and string sections in the Vienna Philharmonic's performance of the 3rd symphony. Yet despite these flaws I have found Bernstein's Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven symphony cycle as enjoyable as Bohm's and far superior to any I have heard from Karajan.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Far short of bernstein's best Beethoven, which was in NY, September 11, 2005

By	Santa Fe listener - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

Bernstein in New York was the essence of "American" Beethoven: dynamic, extroverted, heedless of Germanic conventions, totally displaced from the long line leading from Nikisch to Furtwangler and Klemperer. In Vienna he lost his American perspective, but the one he gained wasn't better. The Viena Phil play wonderfully, as always, but this is their composer, not Bernstein's. In general the readings are much more fleet and small-scalled than in NY, and although nothing is wrong exactly, not a single performance, to my mind, is better than what he did before--the sound is certainly no great shakes, being dry and uninvolving. Bernstein shouldn't have tried to compete on hallowed gorund, not in Beethoven, at least. His Fidelio from Vienna is the one exception, but these readings aren't.