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Beethoven: 9 Symphonies 1963

Box Set, Reissued, Import

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Format: Audio CD

307 ratings

Amazon's Choice for "beethoven symphonies cd"

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Track Listings

Disc: 1

1	Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
2	Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 2. Andante cantabile con moto - L.V. Beethoven
3	Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 3. Menuetto. Allegro molto e vivace - L.V. Beethoven
4	Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 4. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace - L.V. Beethoven
5	Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 1. Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
6	Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 2. Marcia funebre. Adagio assai - L.V. Beethoven
7	Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - L.V. Beethoven
8	Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 4. Finale. Allegro molto - L.V. Beethoven

Disc: 2

1	Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: I. Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio - L.V. Beethoven
2	Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: Larghetto - L.V. Beethoven
3	Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: Menuet & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
4	Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
5	Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
6	Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: Adagio - L.V. Beethoven
7	Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: Allegro Vivace: Un Poco Meno Allegro - L.V. Beethoven
8	Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - L.V. Beethoven

Disc: 3

1	Symphonie No. 5: 1. Allegro Con Brio - L.V. Beethoven
2	Symphonie No. 5: 2. Andante Con Moto - L.V. Beethoven
3	Symphonie No. 5: 3. Allegro - L.V. Beethoven
4	Symphonie No. 5: 4. Allegro - L.V. Beethoven
5	Symphonie No. 6: 1. Erwachen Heiterer Empfindungen Bei Der Ankunft Auf Dem Lande (Allegro Ma Non Troppo) - L.V. Beethoven
6	Symphonie No. 6: 2. Szene Am Bach (Andante Molto Mosso) - L.V. Beethoven
7	Symphonie No. 6: 3. Lustiges Zusammensein Der Landleute (Allegro) - L.V. Beethoven
8	Symphonie No. 6: 4. Gewitter - Sturm (Allegro) - L.V. Beethoven
9	Symphonie No. 6: 5. Hirtengesang, Frohe Und Dankbare Gef Hle Nach Dem Sturm (Allegretto) - L.V. Beethoven

Disc: 4

1	Symphony 7: 1 Poco Sostenuto - Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2	Symphony 7: 2 Allegretto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3	Symphony 7: 3 Presto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4	Symphony 7: 4 Allegro Con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5	Symphony 8: 1 Allegro Vivace I Con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6	Symphony 8: 2 Allegretto Scherzando - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7	Symphony 8: 3 Tempo Di Menuetto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8	Symphony 8: 4 Allegro Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Disc: 5

1	Symphony No. 9: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2	Symphony No. 9: Molto vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3	Symphony No. 9: Adagio molto e cantabile - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4	Symphony No. 9: Presto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5	Symphony No. 9: Presto. - - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

THE classic recording of the nine Beethoven Symphonies - Karajan's 1960s effort - returns to the catalogue now on Eloquence at super-budget price. This set has already achieved Gold sales in Australia and the CDs will now be available not only as a boxed set but also separately.

Amazon.com

By general consensus, Herbert von Karajan's first (1963) Beethoven cycle for Deutsche Grammophon is the best of the four (!) that he recorded. The Berlin Philharmonic was in top form, and they had not yet made an artistic fetish out of the bland smoothness that typified the conductor's later recordings of this music (and just about everything else). Karajan's squeaky clean, emotionally cool Beethoven will always be something of an acquired taste, but this set makes the best possible case for it. --David Hurwitz

Product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.73 x 4.03 x 2.07 inches; 13.2 Ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Deutsche Grammophon
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 028942903623
Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 1990
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ October 26, 2006
Label ‏ : ‎ Deutsche Grammophon
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000001GBQ
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 5

Best Sellers Rank: #16,392 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #255 in Symphonies (CDs & Vinyl)

Customer Reviews:
307 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		78%
4 star		13%
3 star		2%
2 star		2%
1 star		6%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jon-Marc Wigent

What a performance!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

I've known about these recordings for years. But, I kept putting them off until this remastered set came out.
Pardon me for saying this, but I am a hugh fan of Herbert von Karajan! I own more of him then any other conductor in my collection. I have other cycles of these symphonies, and, for the most part, they are all good. But, listening to these performances is like hearing them for the first time. HVK sees everything as an ark. In other words, his vision is not episodic, but as if he were above all of it and seeing the whole structure as a complete unit. Few conductors can claim that. I have his recording of Tristan for Warners (remastered) and his Ring(remastered). Both of these have the same qualities as the Beethoven.
Now, to the sound quality. It's fantastic! There is real transparency here, especially in the strings. Amazing considering when these recordings were made. There is no distortion that I could detect any where along the sound spectrum. I have a Pioneer Elite system, so if anything were to show up, it would've. HVK recorded four cycles of these symphonies, not counting the ones he did for video. I have the last set he did and, yes, the tempos are slower, but not so much as to bother me. The same happened to other conductors towards the end of their careers. But, these performances and their conductor make a bold statement. You'll never hear anything better!!

24 people found this helpful

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ejr1953

Awesome Recording!

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2015

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I am an audiophile, have spent a LOT on my audio equipment, which is able to present incredible detail and depth. I am usually hesitant to purchase recordings which were made years ago, especially ones from the early days of stereo; on my modern equipment, they sometimes sound dull and lifeless, with little depth and clarity, compared with modern recordings.

Having said that, the sound quality on these recordings is awesome!

Von Karajan's interpretation of these symphonies is the best I've heard. He is not afraid to be aggressive with the dynamic passages, yet is never "over the top" in doing so. I suspect he took into account the "soft" sound quality of the concert hall for this recording, and was able to project more dynamism as a result.

This is the best recording of Beethoven's symphonies I have in my collection!

67 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

A must-have Beethoven symphony cycle

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2021

Verified Purchase

4.5 stars.

I've heard that the Karajan 1963 Beethoven cycle is the gold standard of Beethoven symphony cycles, so I purchased a used CD collection in very good condition.

The sound is excellent, even though it was recorded as early as 1963. The sound shows both why this cycle is a must-have, and why it is not the be-all end-all of Beethoven symphony cycles. The sound is string-dominated and lofty. That timbre does not work equally across all the symphonies.

Symphonies 1 and 2 are wonderful, almost as good as Szell and Gardiner.

Symphonies 3, 5, and 7 are some of the best 3, 5, and 7s out there.

4 and 8 are a bit too "Olympian" in sound when I think they should sound lighter.

6 is too fast.

The 9th is a fine recording; however I prefer Furtwangler and Boehm for their slower tempi.

3 people found this helpful

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Moodies forever

Always wanted all nine of Beethoven's symphonies. Got them all at one time in a wonderful box set

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2017

Verified Purchase

This review is for the 1980 reissue on vinyl. Picked this up from a Amazon vendor at a nice price. The box has survived 37 years in good shape. The records are in excellent shape considering their age. Always wanted all nine of Beethoven's symphonies. Got them all at one time in a wonderful box set. The performances were quite good. There is a reason after 55 years that this is still in print. Deutsche Grammaphone pressings are wonderful.

8 people found this helpful

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John R. Sheridan

Excellent recording

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

Many years ago I got the 200th anniversary of Beethoven vinyl recordings of his works. Deutche Gramaphone is the company that was awarded the recording contract. It was a great recording and this CD of Beethoven's symphonies is every bit as good as the vinyl pressing. You can pick up even the smallest sounds in the symphonies and the balance of the instruments is magnificent. Well worth the price of purchase. Would recommend this this recording to anyone.

John S. Birch Run, MI

3 people found this helpful

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Ian Kahler

POOR quality recording.

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a horrible recording. There is no surround sound. the volume is inconsistent!!

4 people found this helpful

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Glory S. Aka Patricia najhawan

It is worth more than money can buy. I am very happy!

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

It is amazing! A great conductor doing wonders with the music of the greatest of all composers in the world...Beethoven!
What a thrill it is to have such priceless beauty in my life. I love It!
Patricia Najhawan

4 people found this helpful

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rocco mastrangioli

all music was once new

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2019

Verified Purchase

Driving back and forth to work with this music playing instead of talk radio cheered up my mood and emotions. I felt better and found myself humming some of the music at work.

8 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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K.H. Friedgen

Ein Meilenstein der Schallplattengeschichte

Reviewed in Germany on March 21, 2015

Verified Purchase

Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989) hat m.W. insgesamt vier Gesamteinspielungen der Beethoven-Symphonien erstellt. Die erste mit dem Philharmonia Orchester London von 1951/55 ist leider mono (außer Nr.8) und darum - obwohl musikalisch wundervoll - klanglich nicht ganz konkurrenzfähig.
Deshalb ist für mich Karajans erste Gesamtaufnahme mit den Berliner Philharmonikern aus 1961/62 nach wie vor die absolute Referenzaufnahme. Sie hält auch heute noch, nach über einem halben Jahrhundert, jedem Vergleich mühelos stand. Das Orchester ist ein Klangereignis, und Karajan konnte in seinen späteren Einspielungen von 1976/77 und 1983/85 diese Leistung trotz noch besserer Klangqualität nicht mehr erreichen. Höhepunkte sind die 5. und 9. Symphonie; die Fünfte reißt mich heute noch jedesmal vom Hocker. Die Schlußsteigerung im Finale hat einen Drive, der unnachahmlich und kaum zu überbieten ist. In der mitreißenden Neunten überzeugt im Finale vor allem die herrliche Stimme von Gundula Janowitz, aber auch die übrigen Mitwirkenden leisten Hervorragendes. Auch die Vierte ist besonders hervorzuheben, die Einleitung zum Kopfsatz ist von knisternder Spannung, und das Adagio habe ich selten so tonschön und farbenreich gehört. Gravierende interpretatorische Schwächen kann ich nirgends erkennen, obgleich ich nicht verhehlen will, daß ich in der Pastorale (Nr. 6) vergeblich die Poesie und romantische Verinnerlichung suche, die beispielsweise Bruno Walter (CBS) und Karl Böhm (DGG) in ihren Aufnahmen so unnachahmlich zur Geltung bringen. Karajans Naturauffassung ist eine andere: Hier denkt man nicht an einen einsamen Wanderer, der beschaulich durch Wald und Flur streift, sondern eher an einen Porschefahrer, der mit hoher Geschwindigkeit die umgebende Landschaft an sich vorbeibrausen läßt. Aber auch das hat seine Reize .....
Restlos glücklich bin ich auch nicht mit der Siebten. Ohne Zweifel ist es eine tonschöne, in sich stimmige Darstellung, aber ich will gar nicht von den Spitzenaufnahmen Furtwänglers oder Klemperers (beide EMI) sprechen, denn Karajan macht sich hier selber Konkurrenz mit seiner frühen Londoner Einspielung von 1951 (EMI), die leider nur einen, wenn auch durchaus akzeptablen, Monoklang aufzubieten hat, dafür aber in sich schlüssiger wirkt, und erst recht mit seiner Wiener Stereoaufnahme vom März 1959 (RCA/Decca), die nicht nur farbenreicher ist, sondern auch eine Wärme und Geschlossenheit ausstrahlt, die ich hier an manchen Stellen ein wenig vermisse. Vor allem das Finale kommt mir ein wenig zu schwungvoll, fast gehetzt, daher, und die federnde Rhythmik des Satzes bringen die Wiener Philharmoniker überzeugender zur Geltung.
Alles in allem aber vermittelt uns Karajan eine großartige Sicht auf Beethovens Sinfonien-Kosmos, der von keiner älteren oder neueren übertroffen worden ist, bei allen berechtigten Einwänden gegen einzelne Details. Nichts gegen Klemperer, Wand, Solti, Szell u.a. - als Gesamtaufnahme ist diese hier, obwohl inzwischen mehr als 50 Jahre alt, auch heute noch ein Vorzeigeobjekt!
Wer eine ganz andersartige Alternative wünscht, sollte sich die legendäre Leibowitz-Aufnahme von 1961 mit dem Royal Philharmonic Orchestra zulegen, die m.W. nicht nur erstmals die Metronomangaben des Komponisten ernst nahm, sondern auch die Struktur der Werke schonungslos freilegte. Karajan ist mehr der überlieferten Aufführungstradition verpflichtet, erfüllt diese aber mit großer Spannung. Beide Einspielungen gehören in jede gute Klassik-Sammlung, und schließlich kommt kein wahrer Beethoven-Enthusiast um Otto Klemperers Londoner Einspielungen aus den Jahren 1957-60 herum: so wuchtig, geradlinig und kompromißlos wie er stellt niemand sonst diesen symphonischen Gipfel abendländischer Musik dar.

41 people found this helpful

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gio

WOW

Reviewed in Italy on April 29, 2016

Verified Purchase

1987 circa, un bambinetto di 5 anni è a casa con il nonno appassionato di musica classica e gli chiede di fargli ascoltare qualcosa di musica classica.
Il nonno tutto contento estrae dalla sua collezione di vinili una 7° di Beethoven, in copertina un direttore sulla mezza età con lo sguardo penetrante, estrae il vinile dalla sua copertina, lo pulisce con delicatezza e amore, lo appoggia sul piatto del suo amatissimo Thorens, accende il Marantz, il bambino è attirato dalla lucetta blu del 1150.
Intanto il nonno abbassa la puntina sul disco e le AR prendono vita con un plof, pochi istanti e... magia tutta la meraviglia della musica di Beethoven esce da quel meraviglioso impianto.
Circa 30 anni dopo il bambino è cresciuto, il nonno, purtroppo non c'è più, la passione che il nonno aveva per la musica e per l'ascoltare la musica bene è passata al nipote che divora dischi su dischi, siano essi CD, LP, DVD audio, SACD o i recenti Blu-Ray audio.
Ma nella testa del bambino c'è ancora quella 7° di Beethoven in vinile. Un giorno di qualche settimana fa arriva la notifica di Amazon che dice che il cofanetto in vinile delle 9 sinfonie di Beethoven dirette da quel direttore di mezza età con lo sguardo penetrante, tanto apprezzato dal nonno, è di nuovo disponibile, ad un prezzo da non rimetterci l'intero stipendio. Il direttore sulla mezza età era Karajan.
L'edizione è la stessa che mio nonno comprò nei lontani anni '60, quando il cofanetto veniva venduto a "puntate" tramite l'invio di un coupon alla Deutsche Grammophon.
Appena arrivato il cofanetto a casa, l'ho scartato delicatamente e lentamente per apprezzare istante dopo istante questo agognato momento.
Apro il cartone del cofanetto, all'interno le note relative alle sinfonie, le note su questa edizione, la mitica edizione degli anni '60 che nel mio personale gusto se la gioca con l'edizione degli anni '70 (le amo entrambe per motivi diversi).
Arrivo subito al vinile che contiene la 7° sinfonia, la estraggo dalla copertina antistatica, pulisco il vinile, quasi come fosse un rituale, una sorta di carezza che si fa ai solchi che poco dopo ci restituiranno la tanto amata musica.
Al posto del Thorens del nonno, c'è un Rega RP6, al posto del Marantz 1150 un Marantz PM 14, anche se l'impianto di mio nonno è a casa mia che ancora funziona e che subito dopo avrei attivato per ascoltare con lo stesso strumento del 1986.
Faccio scendere delicatamente la puntina sul vinile, pluf e... la musica comincia a scorrere, rivivo quei meravigliosi momenti vissuti con mio nonno nella sua stanza della musica, con qualche lacrima che scende nel ricordare.
Come avrete capito per me questo cofanetto ha un significato affettivo notevole, delle 9 sinfonie del nonno 3 le ho io (una è proprio la 7° che ascoltai con lui) le altre mia zia.
Oltre al valore affettivo, però, devo dire che ho ascoltato il vinile degli anni '60 e quello contenuto nel cofanetto e devo dire che la riproduzione dell'ultimo è davvero ottima, trasmette lo stesso calore, le stesse sensazioni e devo ammettere di essere felicissimo di aver speso i soldi che vale questo cofanetto.
E' un cofanetto che ogni bravo amante della musica dovrebbe avere in casa, sia esso in vinile che in cd o in altri formati, perché la musica di Beethoven è così universale, così elettrizzante, la direzione di Karajan è nella sua marzialità e imponenza è fresca, è classica, le direzioni del maestro di Salisburgo sono sempre così potenti, a volte sembra che sia attaccato direttamente ad un generatore di corrente, ma quello che mi trasmette questo direttore, difficilmente l'ho trovato in altri.
Un cofanetto così in vinile è ovviamente cosa da appassionati che sanno esattamente quel che cercano, però quello che è in grado di trasmettere il vinile, quell'insieme di azioni che si compiono nel "mettere" il disco, quel rituale è una magia che molti oggi si perdono nella velocità e nella comodità di sentire la musica in formati supercompressi; la stessa musica in alta definizione (che mi capita di acquistare) non restituisce quel fascino, quel piacere di ascolto e quell'emozione che il mettere un disco sulla piastra permette di vivere.
Un grazie alla Deutsche Grammophon per aver ristampato questo meraviglioso cofanetto, vale davvero fino all'ultimo centesimo pagato, e un grazie ad Amazon che ha fatto la consegna in tempi rapidissimi e mettendo tutta l'attenzione possibile nell'inviare i preziosi dischi neri.

33 people found this helpful

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Christian Wetzstein

Beethoven: 9 Sinfonien

Reviewed in Germany on May 3, 2018

Verified Purchase

Ich habe diese Box heute, 03.05.18, bekommen und mir sofort Nr. 5, 6, 9, 7 und 8 angehört und ich bin absolut begeistert. Obwohl die Aufnahmen von 1963 sind sind klingen sie frisch und dynamisch. Zum Stil von Karajan spalten sich ja bekanntlich die musikalischen Geister und es wurde/wird anderenorts viel darüber diskutiert und geschrieben. Ich, als absoluter musikalischer Laie, kann nur soviel sagen, mir bereiten die Aufnahmen viel Freude. Einzig die 5te und 7te von Carlos Kleiber gefallen mir besser, sind aber auf ihre Art und Weise trotzdem wundervoll. Ich kann diese Box jedem ans Herz legen der mit klassischer Musik beginnen möchte. Kennern brauche ich diese Einspielung sowieso nicht empfehlen, die werden sie vermutlich schon besitzen. Absolute Kaufempfehlung!

9 people found this helpful

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PGB

Definitive complete Beethoven symphonies

Reviewed in Canada on September 30, 2019

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Von Karajan did the cycle four times: once for HMV (I think) - in mono, this 1963 version, and twice since.. He must have felt compelled to reinterpret them as his own musical development matured; each set has its merits and flaws. But, overall, this 1963 set is the one against which his others are usually measured (actually, not just Von K's, but the multitude of other conductors' interpretations). I say this because over the years, there's been some consensus that this is the definitive cycle, despite a few 'flaws': his brisk opening movement of the Sixth, for example, seemed to be particularly singled out for vilification. Funny, as it turns out, this would seem to have been Beethoven's intention, borne out by the recently revamped Bahrenreiter Edition, which is now considered the last word, and modern versions seem to be taken very briskly as a result.

I remember when this set came out on LP as part of the Beethoven Bicentennial collection in 1970 at (for the time) a greatly reduced price - I believe it was $33 CAD for the entire cycle, which was a pretty good price for 8 LPs from DGG (DGG imports tended to average $6-7 each at the time). So this CD set I got for less than half that (in 2019 dollars) is a real bargain. And the stereo sound remains remarkable - DGG was known for their good sound in the sixties and seventies, and this remastering has taken nothing away from that.

There are so many complete Beethoven available now that it's almost impossible to say which is the "best" - this one's right up there, and at the prices it commands these days, you can't go wrong.

5 people found this helpful

PhG77

Avis mitigé.

Reviewed in France on November 16, 2017

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Après avoir entendu les CDs épars des 3e, 5e, 7e, 8e et 9e symphonies de Beethoven par le jeune Karajan dans les années 40 en très bon son mono (qu'aucun éditeur n'a encore eu l'idée de regrouper !), puis l'intégrale EMI des années 50, incroyables de fraicheur, de spontanéité et de fougue, cette intégrale de 1963 en stéréo laisse une impression de "déjà plus" et de "pas encore" ; une sorte de milieu de gué entre deux rives.
Bien sûr la prise de son est plus que flatteuse (avec un léger souffle, toutefois) et l'orchestre sonne grand, large et beau, mais aucune émotion ne se dégage de cette volonté de nouveauté et de perfection encore inabouties.
Les opus se succèdent et finissent par se ressembler pour former une pâte riche et brillante mais au final assez fade et lisse, d'où la seule la 9e émerge dans une réelle splendeur, malgré le ténor Peter Schreier pour une fois plutôt médiocre.
A tout prendre, quitte à écouter Beethoven empoigné par Karajan , autant se reporter sur l'intégrale de 1977 dans laquelle on aura pour le moins une version "à la Karajan" franche et assumée jusqu'au bout, ce dans des conditions techniques superlatives.
En 1985, l'exercice sera poussé encore plus loin, mais le résultat sera absolument indigeste.
A noté que la présente édition Eloquence réunit cinq disques séparés dans un étui en carton au lieu d'un seul et unique coffret.
L'objectif est peut-être que l'objet se remarque bien, alors qu'il n'est pas particulièrement remarquable, quoi qu'en disent les thuriféraires du maestro...

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Beethoven: 9 Symphonies 1963

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Buy new:

$34.68

FREE delivery: Friday, April 15

Ships from: Amazon.com

Sold by: Amazon.com

Save with Used - Good

$21.13

FREE delivery: Friday, April 15 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon.

Ships from: Amazon

Sold by: VMG Books & Media