Beethoven: Leonore (Original Version of Fidelio)

1. Leonore, opera (early version of Fidelio), Hess 109
   Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
   Performed by Leipzig Radio Symphony Chorus, Dresden Staatskapelle
   with Helen Donath, Ricardo Cassinelli, Siegfried Lorenz, Theo Adam, Edda Moser, Gunter Emmerlich, Eberhard Buchner, Karl Ridderbusch, Reiner Goldberg, Hermann-Christian Polster
   Conducted by Herbert Blomstedt
   
   

Beethoven: Leonore (Original Version of Fidelio),Siegfried Lorenz,Hermann-Christian Polster,Karl Ridderbusch,Theo Adam,Ludwig van Beethoven,Herbert Blomstedt,Dresden Staatskapelle,Leipzig Radio Symphony Chorus,Edda Moser,Helen Donath,Eberhard Buchner,Reiner Goldberg,Ricardo Cassinelli,Berlin Classics,Classical,Classical Music,German/Austrian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: Great Performance Great Analog Beethoven Cycle An essential collection The best value in classical music on CD at the moment... Wonderful Performances

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas / Daniel Barenboim Mozart:The Complete Piano Sonatas and Variations Dvorák: The Symphonies Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore ASIN: B00004YA0S Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Andante Cantabile Con Moto
3. III: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace
4. IV: Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace
5. I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
6. II: Andante Molto Mosso
7. III: Allegro - In Tempo D'allegro - Tempo I
8. IV: Allegro
9. V: Allegretto

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai
3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Vivace
4. IV: Finale: Allegro Molto - Poco Andante - Presto
5. Gross Fuge

Tracks:

1. I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Larghetto
3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro
4. IV: Allegro Molto
5. I: Allegro Con Brio
6. II: Andante Con Moto - Piu Mosso - Tempo I
7. III: Allegro -
8. IV: Allegro - Presto

Tracks:

1. I: Adagio - Allegro Vivace
2. II: Adagio
3. III: Menuetto: Allegro Vivace - Trio: Un Poco Meno Allegro
4. IV: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
5. I: Poco Sostenuto - Vivace
6. II: Allegretto
7. III: Presto - Assai Meno Presto
8. IV: Allegro Con Brio

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Vivace Con Brio
2. II: Allegretto Scherzando
3. III: Tempo Di Menuetto
4. IV: Allegro Vivace
5. Overture
6. Overture
7. Overture
8. Overture

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso - Christa Ludwig
2. II: Molto Vivace - Presto - Christa Ludwig
3. III: Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato - Christa Ludwig
4. IV: Presto - Recitativo - Allegro Assai - Alla Marcia - Christa Ludwig
5. Overture - Christa Ludwig

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Largo
3. III: Rondo: Allegro Scherzando
4. I: Allegro Con Brio
5. II: Adagio
6. III: Rondo: Molto Allegro

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Largo
3. III: Rondo: Allegro
4. I: Allegro Moderato
5. II: Andante Con Moto
6. III: Rondo: Vivace

Tracks:

1. Fantasia For Piano, Chorus And Orchestra
2. I: Allegro
3. II: Adagio Un Poco Mosso -
4. III: Rondo: Allegro

Amazon.com essential recording

Otto Klemperer's Beethoven is one of the towering achievements in the history of recordings. By today's standards, these performances are hopelessly old-fashioned: dark, heavy, and frequently very slow. But they are also the grandest, most unsentimental, most purposeful versions in the catalog. In addition, the relatively slow tempos (only in the fast movements--the slow ones are pretty swift) and forward wind balance permit more detail to be heard than in most original-instrument performances. At budget price and with the entire piano concerto cycle thrown in for good measure, this is greatness incarnate. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great Performance.......2007-07-07

There are many different ways to perform Beethoven and each one is valid.
If you like it fast - go to Toscanini or Norrington. If you prefer slow, powerful and majestic, this is your set. Towards the end of his distinguished career, the great Otto Klemperer set down his final views of the performance of these symphonnies. The set is a coherent whole and will give great pleasure for ever. The challenging mix of the young Barenboim and the aged Klemperer worked surprisingly well and thus the concertos may also be recommended. There are odd additional items which add to the pleasure. Finally do not forget to purchase his memorable set of 'Fidelio' to complete your traversal of a great conductor giving great performances of a composer that he loved. Finally the price is ridiculously low and provides quality and quantity at a great price. Thus you should be able to buy the opera set from the savings made!

Great Analog Beethoven Cycle.......2007-05-07

This Klemperer cycle is just one of a dozen or so GREAT analog Beethoven symphony cycles that were recorded during Analog's golden age starting about 1958. These cycles are easily a match for digital and they should still be around for another 1,000 years, if the Lord tarries. These sets include: Karajan (twice, early 60s and late 70s) Bohm, Krips, Jochum, Bruno Walter, Leinsdorf, Rene Leibowitz, Szell, Ormandy, Bernstein, Steinberg, and Solti. This morning I listened to the Klemperer recordings of Beethoven's symphonies 5, 6, & 7. Very enjoyable, I got my Beethoven RDA fix.

Of all these Analog sets, I most enjoy the Leibowitz Spring 1961 cycle with the Royal Philharmonic. I have this cycle on an audiophile early 90s European import Edition Phoenix label special pressing "on extra virgin vinyl." These are by far the best analog symphonic lps I have ever heard from a recording standpoint. BY FAR! And they will rock your house.

You can almost justify Karajan's 4 recorded Beethoven cycles and one video based upon improvements in recording technology. Thru Rhapsody, I have listened to his mid 50s cycle and the orchestra sounds great, but the recording quality is sub par compared to Analog's golden age. So the rational for 4 cycles would be, (1) recent great improvements in recording technology (early 60s), (2) it has been 15 years and he has grown as an artist (late 70s), (3) we now have digital! Let's do one of the first Beethoven digital cycles (80s).

Klemperer is a no-brainer. I do not have to think twice about plopping one of his lps onto my turntable or hitting the play button at Rhapsody. When the music starts, the listening pleasure begins. Don't miss his Bruckner symphony recordings!

An essential collection.......2007-04-25

How best to describe Otto Klemperer's perspective on Beethoven's symphonies: grand, heroic, intense, insightful, stubborn, obstinate, detailed, dramatic, monumental, granitic, deeply emotional, never sentimental. This boxed set of the complete symphonies and concerti embodies all of these elements as stands as one of the great achievements of recorded music.

These performances were recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra at its peak, in the sumptuous acoustics of Kingsway Hall in London and in fine and detailed sound, and mostly in the mid-1950's during one of the brief charmed periods of Klemperer's life. EMI's impresario Walter Legge had made him permanent conductor of the Philharmonia, and when Klemperer embarked on this project in his 70's, he was in relatively good mental and physical health (Klemperer could show symptoms of manic depression and survived many health crises - brain tumor, broken bones, paralysis - which would have stopped most people).

By this time Klemperer had slowed the tempi of the fast movements of the Beethoven symphonies (listen to his early 1950's recordings of the 5th and 6th on Vox to hear by how much). This tendency is more pronounced in these studio recordings than in the live performances which were recorded during that era. The slowness is mostly saved by Klemperer's use of "sprung" rhythms, which keep the slow tempi from feeling laggardly.

Klemperer's earliest recordings in this series - symphonies 3, 5 and 7 - predate stereo and were recorded in excellent monaural sound. He rerecorded all three of these symphonies in stereo, but those recordings were made after he burned himself by falling asleep while smoking in bed. All three performances feature slower tempi than the earlier ones (whether this was the conductor's preference or the result of physical incapacity is open to conjecture). In particular, the rerecorded 7th suffered from lax phrasing, inattentiveness and perverse tempi. That is NOT the version contained in this set: fortunately, EMI had simultaneously recorded the earlier version of the 7th in "experimental" stereo, and it is that earlier version which is released here (and in remarkably good stereo). The versions of the 3rd and 5th are the rerecorded stereo ones.

You will find no finer studio versions of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th or 8th. All are insightful, beautifully detailed and powerful. The 2nd clearly looks forward to the 3rd and not back toward Hayden, the 4th is boisterous and vital, the 6th bucolic and sumptuous (not a quality normally associated with Klemperer), the 7th gains in drama what it loses in swiftness and lightness, and in the 8th in particular we see the conductor's empathy to Beethoven's sense of humor. Klemperer had a deep affinity for the "Eroica", and the rerecorded version here, while slower than the 1955 recording, was dubbed by "High Fidelity"'s Harris Goldsmith (no Klemperer fan, he) as "the best Eroica going slow" and is a monumental masterpiece (the second movement is shattering). The 1st, while leisurely, is a lovingly crafted.

That leaves the 5th and 9th. There is no doubt in my mind that the earlier, mono 5th is superior to the remake in this set. We lose that sense of an inevitable onslaught, especially in the outer movements. And the 9th, while similar in conception to the live versions recorded around the same time (on Testament with the Philharmonia and on Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw), suffers from diffuse sound and occasional lack of focus. I emphasize that these recordings of both symphonies are still head and shoulders above most of the competition; we're talking about different levels of greatness here.

Are there superior Klemperer recordings of these symphonies? Yes; but all are live, and despite the relatively good reprocessed sound, they don't reveal the same level of detail that these studio recordings do. Klemperer was a very different conductor in front of an audience, and there is more vitality and drama in the live versions of the 3rd (Testament, with the Danish Symphony), 6th 7th and 8th (Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw) and the 9th (see above). Music&Arts' set of the complete symphonies, recorded live in Vienna in 1960, is long out of print and had cramped sound with poor detail - a supplement to this set, not a replacement.

As to the piano concerti: they are better than one might expect. Barenboim, although steeped in the Germanic performance tradition, is more naturally aligned with the Furtwangler and Edwin Fischer than with Klemperer. However, the two of them actually work together extremely well and this is a fine, insightful set.

Any complete cycle of Beethoven, symphonies or concerti, will have drawbacks. There will be unevenness in the performances, as there are here. But there are advantages to hearing one musician's perspective on the works, especially when (as here) the performer has depth of understanding, integrity of vision, and a structural understanding of the pieces.

The digital remastering is excellent and the sound barely shows its age. This may not be your only complete set of Beethoven's symphonies, but it should be one of them. And at a price this low, it's a bargain too.

The best value in classical music on CD at the moment..........2007-01-02

What is the best value in classical discs available today ? Who knows, but I defy anyone to beat the EMI compilation of Klemperer' recordings of the complete Beethoven Symphonies, Piano Concertos (with Barenboim), several overtures the Choral Fantasia etc etc. 9 discs for only $44 ( well that was the price I paid). You have got to be kidding... I only had two concerns with buying this. First on the age of the recordings, all more than 40 years old. No worry at all. This is a masterpiece of reconstruction. The sound quality indistinguishable from any modern recording. Secondly , the performances themselves. I had been warned that Klemperer notoriously chose rather slow tempi. Again I needn't have worried. I immediately went to the slow movements of the 2nd piano concerto and the fourth symphony, where many slow tempists have in the past come unstuck. The piano concerto was an absolute revelation. The combination of the youthful Barenboim and the Philharmonia's masterful playing time and gain had me on the edge of my seat. " Yes,go on, well...." Slow it may have been. Boring, never. The same applies in spades to the slow movement of the fourth. Right from the eerie opening, which is yes, very slow indeed, I knew this movement would be a revelation and I can honestly say I have never hear it better played. Follow this with a scherzo bounding in energy and thumping finale and you will never get a better performance of this, one of Beethoven's "lesser" symphonies. And I haven't even got round to the "biggies" yet! The box set looks unattractive and the portrait of Klemperer makes him appear a first class nerd. Pay absolutely no attention to this....

Wonderful Performances.......2006-04-07

I have admittedly not made it through the entire set as of yet, but feel sufficiently blown away by the First Symphony and the Eroica - particularly the second movement of the latter - to weigh in here. With respect to the tempo issue, I must - at least so far - argue in favor of Klemperer's decision to slow things down a bit. I think the effect is, as someone else has observed, a clearer and more visceral experience of Beethoven's composition. It brings out the feeling. The sound comes up a little short on the low end, but it isn't a major distraction. My only problem lies in EMI's inexplicable lack of any discussion of the performances. The notes are bland, dry descriptions of the pieces themselves, with some basic history thrown in. Given the fact that there are probably hundreds of different CDs of Beethoven's symphonies out there, all with similar explanatory notes, it is infuriating that nothing is said about these particular performances. This is in contrast with the EMI Bach set (with Yehudi Menuhin) in which there is a wonderful essay that discusses Menuhin's work in historical context.

Average customer rating: Ultimate music for every time of day and every mood Would give 5 stars if sound quality where better Great collection for a great price 20 Fabulous Discs

Rhapsody in Blue - Ultimate Piano Collection [20 CD Set] Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Clementi | Clementi, Muzio | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Paisiello | Paisiello, Giovanni | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Impromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Box Sets at 30% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set] Rendezvous of Angels - Concert Collection [20 CD Set] Little Night Music - Ultimate Mozart Collection [20 CD Set] Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set] Classical Evolution: Spanish Guitar Music ASIN: B00012QLSW Release Date: 2003-12-09

Tracks:

1. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 1 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
2. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 1 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
3. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 1 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
4. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 4 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
5. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 4 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
6. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 4 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
7. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 5 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
8. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 5 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
9. Concerto for Piano, Strings and Continuo No. 5 in a Minor BWV ... - Dora Milanova, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
10. Concerto for Two Pianos, Strings and Continuo in C Major BWV 1061: ... - Julia Ganev, Konstantin Ganev, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
11. Concerto for Two Pianos, Strings and Continuo in C Major BWV 1061: ... - Julia Ganev, Konstantin Ganev, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
12. Concerto for Two Pianos, Strings and Continuo in C Major BWV 1061: ... - Julia Ganev, Konstantin Ganev, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K.467 Elvira Madigan: Allegro - Vilmos Fischer, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
2. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K.467 Elvira Madigan: Andante - Vilmos Fischer, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
3. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K.467 Elvira Madigan: Andante ... - Vilmos Fischer, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
4. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K.453: Allegro - Vilmos Fischer, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
5. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K.453: Andante - Vilmos Fischer, Vienna Mozart Ensemble
6. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K.453: Allegretto - Vilmos Fischer, Vienna Mozart Ensemble

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata in a Major K.331: Andante Grazioso: Thema/Variation 1 - Margarete Babinsky
2. Piano Sonata in a Major K.331: Menuetto - Margarete Babinsky
3. Piano Sonata in a Major K.331: Alla Turca (Allegretto) - Margarete Babinsky
4. Piano Sonata in F Major K.332: Allegro - Margarete Babinsky
5. Piano Sonata in F Major K.332: Adagio - Margarete Babinsky
6. Piano Sonata in F Major K.332: Allegro Assai - Margarete Babinsky
7. Piano Sonata in C Major K.330: Allegro Moderato - Margarete Babinsky
8. Piano Sonata in C Major K.330: Andante Cantabile - Margarete Babinsky
9. Piano Sonata in C Major K.330: Allegretto - Margarete Babinsky
10. 12 Variations K.265: Ah, Vous Dirai-Je, Maman: Theme/Variation ... - Margarete Babinsky

Tracks:

1. Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra: Allegro - Capella Coloniensis, Maria Luisa Tanzini
2. Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra: Larghetto - Capella Coloniensis, Maria Luisa Tanzini
3. Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra: Rondo - Allegro - Capella Coloniensis, Maria Luisa Tanzini
4. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G Major: Allegro Moderato - Nicolai Evrov, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
5. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G Major: Adagio Cantabile - Nicolai Evrov, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
6. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G Major: Rondo - Presto - Nicolai Evrov, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
7. Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra: Allegro Con Spirito - Ivan Drenikov, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
8. Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra: Adagio E Cantabile - Ivan Drenikov, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble
9. Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra: Presto - Ivan Drenikov, Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble

Tracks:

1. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in E Flat Major Op. 73 Emperor: - Anton Dikov, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
2. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in E Flat Major Op. 73 Emperor: - Anton Dikov, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
3. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in E Flat Major Op. 73 Emperor: - Anton Dikov, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
4. Overture Coriolan Op.62 - Dresdner Philharmonic
5. Overture Leonore No.2, Op.72 - Dresdner Philharmonic

Tracks:

1. Op.13, No. 8 in C Minor Pathetique: Grave - Allegro - Di Molto E ... - Istvan Szekely
2. Op.13, No. 8 in C Minor Pathetique: Adagio Cantabile - Istvan Szekely
3. Op.13, No. 8 in C Minor Pathetique: Rondo - Allegro - Istvan Szekely
4. Op.27, No. 14 in C Sharp Minor Moonlight: Adagio Sostenuto - Istvan Szekely
5. Op.27, No. 14 in C Sharp Minor Moonlight: Allegretto - Istvan Szekely
6. Op.27, No. 14 in C Sharp Minor Moonlight: Presto Agitato - Istvan Szekely
7. Op.57, No. 23 in F Minor Appassionata: Allegro Assai - Istvan Szekely
8. Op.57, No. 23 in F Minor Appassionata: Andante Con Moto - Istvan Szekely
9. Op.57, No. 23 in F Minor Appassionata: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Presto - Istvan Szekely
10. Rondo a Capriccio Op.129: Die Wut er Den Verlorenen - Jennd

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op.11: Allegro Maestoso - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Sandor Falvai
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op.11: Romanze. Larghetto - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Sandor Falvai
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op.11: Rondo. Vivace - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Sandor Falvai
4. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op.21: Maestoso - Adam Harasiewicz, Warsaw Philharmonic National Orchestra Of Poland
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op.21: Larghetto - Adam Harasiewicz, Warsaw Philharmonic National Orchestra Of Poland
6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op.21: Allegro Vivace - Adam Harasiewicz, Warsaw Philharmonic National Orchestra Of Poland

Tracks:

1. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor Op.35: Grave - Doppio Movimento [Liv - Ivo Pogoreuch
2. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor Op.35: Scherzo [Live] - Ivo Pogoreuch
3. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor Op.35: Marche Fune. Lento [Live] - Ivo Pogoreuch
4. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor Op.35: Finale. Presto [Live] - Ivo Pogoreuch
5. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op.58: Allegro Maestoso [Live] - Garrick Ohlsson
6. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op.58: Molto Vivace [Live] - Garrick Ohlsson
7. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op.58: Largo [Live] - Garrick Ohlsson
8. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor Op.58: Presto Ma Non Tanto [Live] - Garrick Ohlsson
9. Mazurkas Op.59: No. 1 in a Minor [Live] - Ivo Pogoreuch
10. Mazurkas Op.59: No. 2 in a Flat [Live] - Ivo Pogoreuch
11. Mazurkas Op.59: No. 3 in F Sharp [Live] - Ivo Pogoreuch

Tracks:

1. Nocturne in B Major Op.9, No. 3 [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
2. Etude in G Flat Major Op.10, No. 5 [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
3. Etude in B Minor Op.25, No. 1 [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
4. Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor Op. 20 [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
5. Scherzo No. 2 in B Flat Minor Op. 31 [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
6. Waltz No. 1 in E Flat Major Op. 18 [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
7. Four Mazurkas Op.24: No. 1 in G Minor [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
8. Four Mazurkas Op.24: No. 2 in C Major [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
9. Four Mazurkas Op.24: No. 3 in a Flat Major [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
10. Four Mazurkas Op.24: No. 4 in B Flat Minor [Live] - Jean Marc Luisada
11. Four Mazurkas Op.30: No. 1 in C Minor [Live] - Kemal Gekic
12. Four Mazurkas Op.30: No. 2 in B Minor [Live] - Kemal Gekic
13. Four Mazurkas Op.30: No. 3 in D Flat Major [Live] - Kemal Gekic
14. Four Mazurkas Op.30: No. 4 in C Sharp Minor [Live] - Kemal Gekic

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op.54: Allegro Affettuoso - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Heidrun Holtman
2. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op.54: Intermezzo. Andantino Grazioso - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Heidrun Holtman
3. Piano Concerto in a Minor Op.54: Allegro Vivace - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Heidrun Holtman
4. Introduction and Allegro Appassionato Op.92 - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Heidrun Holtman
5. Concerto Allegro With Introduction Op.134 - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Heidrun Holtman

Tracks:

1. Rustle of Spring Op.32, No.6 - Jennd
2. Novelette in F Major Op.21, No.1 - Jennd
3. Songs Without Words: E Major Op.19, No.1 - Jennd
4. Songs Without Words: F Sharp Minor Op.30, No.6 - Jennd
5. Songs Without Words: Duetto in F Major Op.38, No.6 - Jennd
6. Songs Without Words: G Major Op.62, No.1 - Jennd
7. Songs Without Words: Spring Song in a Major Op.62, No.6 - Jennd
8. Intermezzo in a Major, Op.76, No.6 - Jennd
9. Intermezzo in a Minor Op.76, No.7 - Jennd
10. Intermezzo in a Major Op.118, No.2 - Jennd
11. Intermezzo in E Flat Minor Op.118, No.6 - Jennd
12. Lyric Pieces: Arietta Op.12, No.1 - Jennd
13. Lyric Pieces: Folkevise Op.12, No.5 - Jennd
14. Lyric Pieces: Butterfly Op.43, No.1 - Jennd
15. Lyric Pieces: To Spring Op.43, No.6 - Jennd
16. Lyric Pieces: Notturno Op.54, No.4 - Jennd
17. Lyric Pieces: Bryllupsdag Pa Troldhaugen Op.65, No.6 - Jennd
18. Saisons Op.37b, No. 6 Juin Barcarolle - Jennd
19. Chant Sans Paroles: Souvenir de Hapsal Op.2, No.3 - Jennd
20. Melody in F Op.3, No.1 - Jennd
21. Humoresque in G Flat Major Op.101, No.7 - Jennd

Tracks:

1. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Theme: Andante - Jennd
2. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Variation 1 - Jennd
3. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Variation 2 - Jennd
4. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Variation 3 - Jennd
5. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Variation 4 - Jennd
6. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Variation 5 - Jennd
7. Impromptu in B Flat Major D.935, No.3: Pito - Jennd
8. 6 Moments Musicaux D.780: No. 1 in C Major - Jennd
9. 6 Moments Musicaux D.780: No. 2 in a Flat Major - Jennd
10. 6 Moments Musicaux D.780: No. 6 in F Minor - Jennd
11. 4 Impromptus D.899: No. 1 in C Minor - Jennd
12. 4 Impromptus D.899: No. 2 in E Flat Major - Jennd
13. 4 Impromptus D.899: No. 3 in G Flat Major - Jennd
14. 4 Impromptus D.899: No. 4 in a Flat Major - Jennd

Tracks:

1. Sonata in a Major D.959: Allegro - Michael Endres
2. Sonata in a Major D.959: Andantino - Michael Endres
3. Sonata in a Major D.959: Scherzo: Allegro Vivace - Michael Endres
4. Sonata in a Major D.959: Rondo: Allegretto - Michael Endres
5. Sonata in B Flat Major D.960: Molto Moderato - Michael Endres
6. Sonata in B Flat Major D.960: Andante Sostenuto - Michael Endres
7. Sonata in B Flat Major D.960: Scherzo: Allegro Vivace - Michael Endres
8. Sonata in B Flat Major D.960: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Michael Endres

Tracks:

1. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor Op.23: ... - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Jennd
2. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor Op.23: ... - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Jennd
3. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in B Flat Minor Op.23: ... - Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, Jennd
4. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in a Minor Op.16: Allegro Molto ... - Daniel Gerard, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
5. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in a Minor Op.16: Adagio - Daniel Gerard, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
6. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in a Minor Op.16: Allegro Molto E ... - Daniel Gerard, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major Op.83: Allegro Non Troppo - Dimitris Sgouros, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major Op.83: Allegro Appassionato - Dimitris Sgouros, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major Op.83: Andante - Dimitris Sgouros, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
4. Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major Op.83: Allegro Giocoso - Dimitris Sgouros, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in a Major Hungarian Fantasy: Adagio ... - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in a Major Hungarian Fantasy: Allegro Agitato ... - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in a Major Hungarian Fantasy: Allegro Moderato - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
4. Piano Concerto No. 2 in a Major Hungarian Fantasy: Allegro Deciso - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in a Major Hungarian Fantasy: Marziale, Un ... - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in a Major Hungarian Fantasy: Allegro Animato - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
7. Fantasy on Hungarian Folk-Tunes - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
8. Polonaise Brillante (After Weber) - Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Jennd
9. Fantasy on Weber's FreischVilmos Fischer

Tracks:

1. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade. Allegro Giusto, Nel Modo ...
2. Pictures at an Exhibition: Gnomus. Sempre Vivo
3. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade. Moderato Commodo Assai E Con ...
4. Pictures at an Exhibition: Il Vechhio Castello (The Old Castle) . ...
5. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade. Moderato Non Tanto, Pesamente
6. Pictures at an Exhibition: Tuileries. Allegretto Non Troppo, ...
7. Pictures at an Exhibition: Bydlo. Sempre Moderato, Pesante
8. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade. Tranquillo
9. Pictures at an Exhibition: Ballet of the Chickens in Their Shells. ...
10. Pictures at an Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg and Schmuyle. ...
11. Pictures at an Exhibition: Promenade. Allegro Giusto, Nel Modo ...
12. Pictures at an Exhibition: Limoges. Le MarchThe Market Place) . ...
13. Pictures at an Exhibition: Catacombae. Sepulcrum Romanum. Largo
14. Pictures at an Exhibition: Cum Mortuis in Lingua Mortua. Adante ...
15. Pictures at an Exhibition: The Hut on Fowls' Legs - Baba-Yaga. Allegro
16. Pictures at an Exhibition: The Great Gate of Kiev - Allegro Alla ...
17. Three Intermezzos Op.117: Intermezzo in E Flat Major. Andante Moderato
18. Three Intermezzos Op.117: Intermezzo in B Flat Minor. Andante Non ...
19. Three Intermezzos Op.117: Intermezzo in C Sharp Minor. Andante Con ...
20. Piano Pieces Op.118: No. 1 Intermezzo in a Minor (Allegro Non Assai)
21. Piano Pieces Op.118: No. 2 Intermezzo in a Major (Andante Teneramente)
22. Piano Pieces Op.118: No. 3 Ballad in G Minor (Allegro Energico)
23. Piano Pieces Op.118: No. 4 Intermezzo in F Minor (Andante - Allegretto
24. Piano Pieces Op.118: No. 5 Romance in F Major (Andante - ...)
25. Piano Pieces Op.118: No. 6 Intermezzo in E Flat Minor (Andante, ...)

Tracks:

1. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor Op.18: Moderato - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Drenikov
2. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor Op.18: Adagio ... - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Drenikov
3. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C Minor Op.18: Allegro ... - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Drenikov
4. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G Minor Op.40: Allegro ... - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Drenikov
5. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G Minor Op.40: Largo - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Drenikov
6. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G Minor Op.40: Allegro ... - Bulgarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ivan Drenikov

Tracks:

1. Prde Op.3, No.2 - Margarete Babinsky
2. Mdie Op.3, No.3 - Margarete Babinsky
3. Polichinelle Op.3, No.4 - Margarete Babinsky
4. Moment Musical Op.16, No.3 - Margarete Babinsky
5. Moment Musical Op.16, No.5 - Margarete Babinsky
6. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op.42 - Margarete Babinsky
7. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
8. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
9. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
10. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
11. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
12. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
13. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
14. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
15. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
16. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
17. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
18. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
19. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
20. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
21. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
22. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
23. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
24. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
25. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
26. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
27. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
28. Variations on a Theme by Corelli Op. 42 (Continued) - Margarete Babinsky
29. Prde Op.23, No.5 - Margarete Babinsky

Tracks:

1. Rhapsody in Blue - Cle Ousset, , Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart
2. Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra: Allegro - Cle Ousset, , Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart
3. Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra: Adagio. Andante Con Moto - Cle Ousset, , Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart
4. Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra: Allegro Agitato - Cle Ousset, , Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart
5. American in Paris - Cle Ousset, , Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart

Album Description

This amazing 20-CD set truly is the ultimate piano collection! With over 20 hours of the greatest piano classics, from Mozart's priceless Piano Concertos and Sonatas to Gershwin's legendary Rhapsody in Blue, this set is a must have for everyone's collection. So sit back, relax and drift away on the beautiful melodic waves of classical piano at its very best.

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate music for every time of day and every mood.......2007-07-03

With 20 CDs in the collection, we have classical music for every mood and atime of day.

Would give 5 stars if sound quality where better.......2007-06-30

This Classical collection is one of great length and breadth ,and is well worth purchasing ,if you want an abundance of music at a low price.The sound quality is decent,however it is not great.This set will not provide you with the crisp,clear sound quality of a RCA,CBS or other well known label,so some classical aficionados may not appreciate it much.It all depends on what your looking for ,I guess.

Great collection for a great price.......2007-06-27

I did not expect much in buying this collection, but I was greatly surpeised. There were no reviews of the product at the time, and I bought the collection simply as a sampler of many great piano pieces. Most of the recordings are exquisite and of decent recording quality. This collection was well worth the price.

20 Fabulous Discs.......2007-06-08

I am surprised that this set has been out for 4 years and nobody reviewed it here yet. This is a lovely and occasionally amazing compilation. I was moved by many of the compositions. I really enhanced my classical music collection with this set. You have so many legends here to enjoy, from Bach to Brahms, Mozart to Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Gershwin, and more. If you love classical piano music and don't already have most of these works then this is a must buy for you. The price may go up, but I was fortunate to cash in on the $17.97 price. Quite a bargain for 20 fabulous discs.

Average customer rating: Great value!

The Story of Beethoven Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Inventions | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Story of Mozart The Story of Bach The Story Of Handel The Story of Tchaikovsky Story Of Chopin In Words And Music ASIN: B000001KCZ Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

1. Tempo Di Minuetto - Guiomar Novaes
2. Bach: Two-Part Invention No. 9 - Guiomar Novaes
3. Minuet in G Major, Wo0 8, 10/2 - Guiomar Novaes
4. German Dances, Wo0 8, Nos. 1 & 2 - Arthur Hannes
5. Sonatina, Anh. 5/2 - Guiomar Novaes
6. Appassionata - Guiomar Novaes
7. Overture to 'To Creatures of Prometheus,' Op. 43 - Arthur Hannes
8. Andante Con Moto - Arthur Hannes
9. Emperor - Guiomar Novaes
10. Andante Ma Non Troppo - Guiomar Novaes
11. Allegro Con Brio; Marcia Funebre - Arthur Hannes
12. Allegro Con Brio; Allegro - Arthur Hannes
13. Poco Sostenuto - Arthur Hannes
14. Pastorale (Excerpts) - Arthur Hannes
15. Allegretto - Arthur Hannes
16. Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72 - Arthur Hannes
17. Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 - Arthur Hannes
18. Adagio Sostenuto; Presto Agitato - Guiomar Novaes
19. Allegro Ma Non Troppo; Presto - Guiomar Novaes
20. Allegro - Guiomar Novaes
21. Adagio Un Poco Mosso - Guiomar Novaes
22. Rondo: Allegro - Guiomar Novaes

Customer Reviews:

Great value!.......2007-01-04

Though I haven't listened to all of the CD's in this series which I ordered, I am very impressed with the ones I have listened to. Very enjoyable and informative, and the price couldn't be any lower!!!

Average customer rating: A Must Have Just enough to hear Christa Ludwig. Great conductor, orchestra and cast in classic "Fidelio" 1st half wonderful, 2nd not so great (tenorial nightmare) VICKERS IS A WONDERFUL FIDELIO

Beethoven: Fidelio Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Lohengrin Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf · Ludwig · Karajan Missa Solemnis in D major, op.123 Wagner: Tristan und Isolde La Boheme ASIN: B00004VVZB Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

1. Fidelio: Ouveture (Orchester)
2. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 1 - Duett Jetzt, Schatzchen, jetz sind wir allein (Jaquino) (Marzelline)
3. Fidelio: Act I: Rezitativ Der arme Jaquino dauert mich beinahe
4. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 2: Arie Owar ich schon mit dir vereint (Marzelline)
5. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act I: Rezitativ Guten Tag, Marzelline. 1st Fidelio noch nicht zuruck? (Rocco) (Marzelline) (Leonore)
6. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 3: Arie Mir ist so wunderbar (Marzelline) (Leonore) (Rocco) (Jaquino)
7. Fidelio: Act I: Rezitativ - hore, Fidelio, weibt du, was ich tue?
8. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 4: Arie (Rocco)
9. Fidelio: Act I: Rezitativ - Ihr konnt das leicht sagen, meister rocco (Leonore) (Rocco) (Marzelline)
10. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 5: Terzett
11. Fidelio: Act I: Der Gouverneur ... der gouverneur sol heut' erlauben
12. Fidelio: Act I: Nur auf der Hut, dann geht es gut (Rocco) (Leonore) (Marzelline)
13. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 6 - march (Orchester)
14. Fidelio: Act I: Rezitativ Wo sind die Depeschen? (Don Pizarro) (Rocco)
15. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 7 - Arie mit Chor Ha! Welch' eni Augenblick! (Don Pizarro) (Chorus)
16. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act I: Hauptmann, besteigen Sie mit einem Trompeter sogleich den Turm
17. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 8 - Duett Jetz, Alter, jetzt hat es Eile! (Don Pizarro) (Rocco)
18. Fidelio: Act I: Nr. 9 - Rezitativ Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?
19. Fidelio: Act I: und Arie - Komm, Hofgnung, lab den letzten stern (Leonore)
20. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act I: Rezitativ Rocco, 1h verspracht mir so oft (Leonore) (Marzelline) (Rocco)
21. Fidelio: Nr. 10 - Finale O welch Lust! (Chorus)
22. Fidelio: Act I: Wir wollen mit vertrauen auf Gottes Hulfe bauen (Zweiter Gefangener) (Chorus)
23. Fidelio: Act I: Nun sprecht, wie ging's (Leonore) (Rocco)
24. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act I: Arch! Vater, eilt! (Marzelline) (Rocco) (Jaquino) (Leonore)
25. Fidelio: Act I: Verwegener Alter (Don Pizarro) (Rocco)
26. Fidelio: Act I: Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht (Chorus) (Marzelline) (Leonore) (Jaquino) (Don Pizarro) (Rocco)

Tracks:

1. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Nr. 11: Introduktion (orchester)
2. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: und Arie gott! Welch' Dunkel hier
3. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: In des Lebens Fruhlingstagen
4. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Und spur' ich nicht linde (Florestan)
5. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Nr. 12: Melodram Wie Kalt ist es
6. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: und Duett - Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben (Leonore) (Rocco)
7. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Rezitative Er erwacht! (Leonore) (Rocco) (Florestan)
8. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Nr: 13 Terzett - Euch werde Lohn in besser'n Welten (Florestan) (Rocco) (Leonore)
9. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Rezitativ Vater Rocco! (Rocco) (Leonore) (Florestan) (Don Pizarro)
10. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Nr. 14 - Quartett Er sterbe! (Rocco) (Leonore) (Florestan) (Don Pizarro)
11. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Rezitativ Vater Rocco! (Jaquino) (Rocco)
12. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Es schlagt der Rache Stund! (Leonore) (Florestan) (Don Pizarro) (Rocco)
13. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Nr. 15 - Duett O namenlose Freude! (Leonore) (Florestan)
14. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Nr. 16 - Finale Heil sei dem Tag (Chor)
15. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Des besten Konigs Wink und Wille (Chorus) (Don Fernando)
16. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Wohlan! So helfet, helft den Armen! (Rocco) (Don Pizarro) (Don Fernando) (Leonore) (Marzelline) (Rocco)
17. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Du schlossest auf des Edlen Grab (Don Fernando)
18. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: O Gott! O welch' ein Augenblick! (Rocco) (Don Pizarro) (Don Fernando) (Leonore) (Marzelline) (Rocco)
19. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Wer ein holdes Weib errungen (Rocco) (Don Pizarro) (Don Fernando) (Leonore) (Marzelline) (Rocco)
20. Ludwig Van Beethoven: Act II: Ouverture - Lenore nR. 3

Amazon.com essential recording

Under Klemperer, a maestro with roots in a great operatic tradition, this is a monumental, authoritative performance. From the very beginning of the Fidelio Overture, tempi are slow, deliberate, expansive: every note is important and vibrantly alive; every vocal and instrumental line stands out; there is time for poised changes and transitions. Chorus and orchestra are splendid; not only do all the soloists sing fabulously, but using all their vocal resources to bring out the character of words and music, they create real people and situations, mood and atmosphere. With a mostly German cast, even the spoken dialogue seems to aid rather than disrupt the drama. Berry is a wonderfully venomous villain, yet he sings every note accurately; Vickers, darkening his voice, makes Florestan more resigned than heroic, breathless in his ecstatic hallucination. Ludwig's voice is flawless over a huge range, warm yet gloriously radiant; she is an ideal Leonore in style, expression, and characterization. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have.......2007-02-25

Klemperer's Fidelio as remastered here is well deserving of its status as a "Great recording of The Century" by EMI. The sound is as clear as a digital recording and allows all the nuances of the orchestra and singers to be heard. Beethoven's opera is underrated I believe, and with this recording one can see why. The drama and emotion of the story are even more enhanced by the superb phrasing and dynamic contrast of Klemperer's interpretation. This recording should definitely ascend the ranks of your collections quite rapidly and you will enjoy it for a long time.

Just enough to hear Christa Ludwig........2007-01-31

For many years, Ms. Ludwig has been the leading mezzo in Germany, and not without good reasons.
Since her younger days when she sang Cosi fan tutte with Lisa della Casa for Karl Boehm's first recording of the opera, she has been a most promising mezzo-soprano on an international level. And her voice developed to even better dimensions as she ages.
Comparing with today's Cecilia Bartoil, Christa Ludwig not only enjoyed longer vocal brilliance, but also a much wider repertoire.
Some would say that Sena Jurinac's Klemperer Fidelio is better. That may be the case, but for reasons quite other than Ludwig's performance. Jurinac was a soprano, and Ludwig a mezzo. Leonora (Fidelio)'s role may either be tackled by a soprano or a mezzo, as in Wagner's Brunnhilde.
If you heard another brilliant German soprano Gundula Janowitz's Bernstein Fidelio, you would not have questioned the choice of Ludwig in the present recording. As Elisabeth Schwarzkopf said last January in an interview, Ludwig's voice is uncommon - it is very full. In the high, middle and low registers, I would add.
This is a major attribute that allowed her to tackle Leonora's role with brilliance. Even if her upper is not as brilliant as, say, Jurinac, or Mattila, her middle and lower registers more than compensate for that.
Another very 'different' Fidelio is Hildegard Behrens. Not a big voice, but with such sweet charm and boyish tinge that you would not have wondered why Marcellina gave up Jaquino for this 'fake' Fidelio. Either you catch the character's charm, or the character's determination. If best, you come with both. Christa Ludwig's voice scored well in both ends.
Jon Vickers' Florestine sounds too stout for me, though vocally very attractive.
Was Florestine not near to the end of his life by starvation when he appeared in the Second Act? I wonder why most critics called for a ''big voice'' in Don Florestine's role.

Great conductor, orchestra and cast in classic "Fidelio".......2006-02-24

Source: 1962 studio recording produced by Walter Legge.

Sound: State-of-the-art 1960s analog stereo, digitally remastered in 2000.

Cast: Leonore / Fidelio - Christa Ludwig; Florestan - Jon Vickers; Rocco - Gottlob Frick; Don Pizarro - Walter Berry; Marzelline (singing) - Ingeborg Hallstein; Marzelline (dialogue) - Elizabeth Schwarzkopf; Jaquino - Gerhard Unger; Don Fernando - Franz Crass; First Prisoner - Kurt Wehofschitz; Second Prisoner - Raymond Wolansky. Conductor: Otto Klemperer with the Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra.

Text: Spoken German dialogue is included but radically shortened to serve as little more than connective tissue between the musical elements.

"Fidelio" is the work of a man whose natural home was the concert platform, not the theater. It is burdened with long patches of dull and forgettable music interspersed with stunning musical brilliance. It is set in the form of a "rescue play," a tired cliche even in Beethoven's time. In the midst of flat, conventional forms it manages to extol love--albeit married love--in passages even more ecstatic than Wagner achieved in "Tristan und Isolde." The roles of Leonore / Fidelio and Florestan have proved fully worthy of the talents of the most heroically-voiced singers of every generation since the opera's premiere during the Napoleonic Wars. Beethoven's "Fidelio" is flawed, but it is a true masterpiece.

For many years, this performance of "Fidelio" was widely acclaimed as the finest of all recorded versions of Beethoven's only opera. As I write this, forty-four years after its initial issue, there are still many who rate it above all its successors. The conductor was a great master of what is now regarded as the old school of Beethoven performance (a damaging indictment to some listeners and a refreshing relief to others.) The orchestra was at its fabulous peak. The four lead singers, Ludwig, Vickers, Frick and Berry were each international stars of the first magnitude. The current re-issue of the set is sumptuously presented--at least by the unimpressive standards of CDs--and offered at a bargain price.

For all these reasons, the only reasonable rating is five stars.

Great as it is, however, this "Fidelio" is not above criticism. The perfect "Fidelio," in fact, remains as perpetually elusive as the perfect "Traviata."

This recording is one of a series of masterworks made under the auspices of the imperious Walter Legge, head of Artists and Repertory for EMI (and, incidentally, husband of Elizabeth Schwarzkopf.) It may be said to have begun with a series of live performances conducted by Klemperer at Covent Garden in 1961. (A live recording is available at an outrageous price from Testament.) The principal singers at Covent Garden were Sena Jurinac as Fidelio, Jon Vickers as Florestan, Gottlob Frick as Rocco and Hans Hotter as Don Pizarro. Klemperer wished to bring all of them to the recording studio but Legge had other ideas. As usual, Legge got his way, bringing over only Vickers and Frick.

Klemperer's "Fidelio" is gravely measured and monumental, but not particularly theatrical. Some parts, most notably the chorus of soldiers preceding the entrance of Don Pizarro, have justly been criticized as too slow.

Christa Ludwig was one of the great singers of the Twentieth Century. Her Leonora was exquisitely thought out and brilliantly presented. But she was a mezzo-soprano. Excellent as she undoubtedly was, she was not quite a perfect fit in a role that positively cries out for a great soprano. I am wholly in agreement with those who say that for once Legge was in error when he refused to record the luminous Sena Jurinac.

Jon Vickers was a gigantic presence. I saw him do Florestan with the San Francisco Opera. He held us all in thrall. If he had a fault, it was a tendency to over-think his parts. Here, the details and mechanisms of his characterization are just a bit too apparent--some have said too sugary--and they are slightly out of phase, I think, with Klemperer's more abstract vision. Whatever one may believe about his acting, he sings magnificently.

Gottlob Frick is probably as good as anybody who has ever essayed Papa Rocco, a basically conventional and quite tedious part, save for his big duet with Fidelio in Act II.

Walter Berry was an admirable singer and very effective as Don Pizarro, but villainous characters were not his strength as a performer. Some have held that he did not achieve the sheer malignancy that Hotter spewed so generously over Covent Garden. My own opinion, for what it's worth, is that neither of them could match Gustav Neidlinger as the hateful Pizarro.

Gerhard Unger was perfectly competent in what is effectively the throw-away part of Jaquino. Ingeborg Hallstein has been about equally praised and denounced for the youthful tremulousness she brought to Marzelline.

For those who know "Fidelio" well, this is the standard recording. For those who wish to become acquainted with an operatic wonder, this is as good an introduction as may be found.

1st half wonderful, 2nd not so great (tenorial nightmare).......2005-02-05

Why do so many of the reviews of this recording focus on the tenor when they should focus on how great the (mezzo) soprano Ludwig is?

The first half is great because the main tenor is absent (and Gottlob Frick is always fun).

The second half is where the rot sets in when the dreaded Jon Vickers makes his first appearance and we start to hear the unfocussed protruding 'e'-vowel. This spoils an otherwise outstanding recording. Sigh. See my review of the Karajan Tristan/EMI recording for more on this horrible phenomenon.

Whilst I've given this 4 stars, the 5 star rating must go to the Fricsay recording on DG -- the fabulous Ernst Haefliger doesn't have an 'e'-vowel problem. :-)

VICKERS IS A WONDERFUL FIDELIO.......2004-09-25

I LOVE THIS RECORDING OF FIDELIO - BUT THEN I AM A BIG BIG FAN OF JON VICKERS. HIS PERFORMANCE AS FIDELIO IS VERY MOVING AND WHEN HE SINGS "FREIHEIT, FREIHEIT" IT BRINGS CHILLS. THE ACTING AND THE SINGING ARE FIRST CLASS.

Average customer rating: Great music with a great performance. Thomas Bloch's Interpretation is Second-to-None unbelievable Thomas Bloch is a great 20th century composer interesting, generally excellent

Glass Harmonica David August von Apell , and Johann Abraham Peter Schulz Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Electronic | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music | Computer General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Music for Glass Harmonica Cristal: Glass Music Through the Ages The Art Of The Theremin Crystal Carols The Glass Armonica CD/DVD Set ASIN: B00005QISL Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

1. Schulz: Largo
2. Holt Sombach: Adagio
3. Reichardt: Rondeau
4. Naumann: Sonata No. 3: Recit
5. Naumann: Sonata No. 3: Andantino amoroso
6. Mozart: Adagio K.B. 356
7. Mozart: Adagio
8. Mozart: Rondo
9. Beethoven: Melodram
10. Rollig: Kleine Tonstucke: Grave
11. Rollig: Kleine Tonstucke: Commodetto
12. Apell: Trionfo della musica, cantata
13. Holt Sombach: 1ere Suite: Fantaisie
14. Holt Sombach: 1ere Suite: Allemande
15. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Mad Scene
16. Holt Sombach: 1ere suite: 2eme Menuet
17. Bloch: Sancta Maria

Customer Reviews:

Great music with a great performance........2006-08-15

I found the glass harmonica music most relaxing with an etherial quality. The performance is outstanding.

Thomas Bloch's Interpretation is Second-to-None.......2003-01-02

This is a great introduction to the exquisite Glass Harmonica. Naxos once again enlarges our listening pleasure by allowing such gifted musician/composers as Thomas Bloch a wider audience than other, more recondite labels have afforded him. This instrument, invented by Franklin, and taken seriously by such greats as Mozart and Beethoven, is only now coming into its own again. Bloch is an integral part of that rebirth. Delicate, eerie, rumored to drive the listener mad, or to attract ghosts, the sound of the Glass Harmonica hovers at the very edges of hearing: a clean, celestial tone. You will never forget it once you hear its distictive sound. Liner notes give the instrument's fascinating history. Bloch himself attempts (along with such great post-moderns such as John Cage) to create a future for the Glass Harmonica with his "Sancta Maria" and does an extraordinary job. The price, too, for this CD is extraordinary. What a bargain!

unbelievable.......2002-12-11

the music of the glass harmonica is so unusal that it is a joy to listen to. it is a shame that it is not more main stream the tones are so unearthly that is is like a song from a fantasy you really start to believe that elves are playing the music it is something out of Tolkin

Thomas Bloch is a great 20th century composer.......2002-10-09

All right. This is a great album. It explores the history of the glass harmonica since the classical period. But to add to the other reviewers, there is one cut - the last cut - done by Thomas Bloch in the last century - Sancta Maria - that makes the whole album worthwhile. It is an extraordinary track and I don't care if the soprano is female or male. It is great music and a great listening pleasure. You will want to play it over and over again. Make it you most favorite MP3.

interesting, generally excellent.......2002-04-05

I would disagree with the reviewer below that this is anything more than a curiosity. Even the works on this disc by great composers such as Mozart and Beethoven are generally trivial. At the same time, this is fine playing of a highly unusual instrument by a polished virtuoso. Some of the pieces, however, I could do without. For instance, while Thomas Bloch's playing is excellent, his compositional skills are somewhat lacking. His own original work, complete with overdubbed whiny male soprano, is the disc's finale and sounds more like a corny film soundtrack than anything else. In addition, it must be noted that the performance here of Donizetti's "Mad Scene" from Lucia utilizes possibly the worst soprano ever recorded (short of Florence Foster Jenkins). I wouldn't wish her off-pitch shrieking on my worst enemies.

Average customer rating: Wonderfully fresh Great -- All Around Old (but Very Fine) Wine, New Skins--A Revelatory Listening Experience Much-needed fresh interpretation of the overtures

Beethoven: Complete Overtures Manufacturer: Arte Nova Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Septet Beethoven: Piano Concertos 3 & 4 Robert Schumann: Symphonies Nos. 1-4 Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Violin Romances Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies ASIN: B0007X9TKC Release Date: 2005-04-12

Album Description

"Of course this is what Beethoven is supposed to sound like. All the warmth, the breadth, the depth, the height, the solemnity, the hilarity, the agony, and, of course, the wild-eyed ecstasy that are in Beethoven in these performances of his complete Overtures by David Zinman leading the Tonhalle Orchestre Zurich. As Zinman proved in his cycle of the nine symphonies, he knows Beethoven, knows his music and his moods, knows when to hold back and when to let loose, when to dance and when to sing in blissful rapture. In his cycle of the 11 overtures, Zinman soars with Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, rails with Egmont, roars with Coriolan, and laughs with König Stephen. Zinman is as heroic as Fidelio, as passionate as Leonore, and as countrapuntally intoxicated as Die Weihe des Hauses. The Tonhalle Orchestre, which showed itself an adept and powerful Beethoven orchestra in the symphonies, once again shows its colors, its strength, and its tenderness in the overtures. ! Arte Nova's sound is deep, lush, and real."-ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully fresh.......2007-06-06

David Zinman and his Tonhalle Orchestra of Zurich deliver what is, hands down, the best overture to the Ruins of Athens on disc. Zinman opens the work with great energy at a quick tempo - those of us familiar with Masur's slow and stately introduction will certainly feel as if they are hearing this familiar music for the first time. The oboe cadenza is delightfully zippy as Zinman plunges headlong into the allegro proper with such authoritative vitality that one almost feels foolish for not liking this work more, slight though it is on musical argument. Horns wail, strings dig, and winds bite in this marvelous traversal. This performance gave me several impressions. First, how nice it is to hear Beethoven (here and in his traversal of the symphonies) with smaller forces married to historically informed performance practices - hard mallets for the timpani, violins divided stereophonically, winds forwardly balanced. It has a tremendous amount of textual clarity which enhances the musical argument in no small part. Secondly, how impressive that even two hundred years after some of these pieces were composed they can still be played to the hilt with fresh energy and conviction. Even with the reduced string section, I would be curious if anyone could find other versions of these overtures with this much vigor. And finally, as always, its wonderful to hear a music director and his orchestra bring something new to familiar music, all the while maintaining the highest performance and musical standard. And the love both Zinman and the Tonhalle have for this music is immediately palpable.

The same level of energy Zinman brings to The Ruins of Athens runs throughout the entirety of this two-disc release. Prometheus certainly benefits from the scaled-down proportions of the orchestra, finding the perfect balance between classical grace and Beethoven's rougher energy. Coriolan is just as bit as convincing, free from the overly-romanticized patina that this work has amassed over the years. The Overture in C receives a particularly convincing interpretation. Listen to how Zinman maintains tension throughout the overly-repetitive music and certainly makes the most sense out of the often odd-sounding scales at near the end of the piece. It just goes to show that even less convincing works can sound convincing when played with this level of conviction. Fidelio is another winner, a performance of lively grace but imbued with appropriate power.

The Consecration of the House is a delight. Zinman shapes a cogent and appropriately Baroque sounding opening to the piece and, although the trumpets are a bit reticent in their fanfares, the textual clarity of it all is quite refreshing. The allegro certainly benefits from the antiphonal violin placement, a reading of uncanny transparency, culminating in a roaring conclusion. I still have the slightest preference for Masur's performance and no one can match Charles Munch's Boston Symphony reference interpretation in this work, but all in all it is simply a matter of taste and certainly Zinman offers steep competition. Zinman's reading of King Stephen is one of balanced, proportional energy befitting its classical nature but, when all is said and done, I still prefer Szell's all-or-nothing Cleveland traversal, which possesses unbelievable physicality. As for the three Lenore Overtures, Zinman's approaches are period appropriate, but it is slightly difficult to listen to Lenore No. 3 in this leaner state. I still prefer Gunter Wand's performance, one of almost excessive weight and physicality, but the excitement is unquestionable. Egmont again is wonderful, but seems slightly undernourished when compared to the competition. But preferences aside, Zinman's interpretations are as convincing as ever and offer tremendous musical nourishment.

Recorded sound is excellent throughout but the microphone placement seems to differ from work to work. In the performances where the orchestra is most distant, the horns can often sound recessed and slightly pinched (such as in Prometheus and Fidelio) or the timpani overly reverberant (Overture in C). Still, the playing is uniformly spectacular and these are small quips that in no way detract from the listening experience and become less noticeable after repeated outings.

This set is certainly a welcome addition to a field that, until now, had virtually no competition. That Masur's performances were uniformly splendid made the dearth of great Beethoven Overture compilations less frustrating, but this set, in modern sound with period performance techniques, is almost self-recommending. Comparing Masur to Zinman seems unfair as both offer so much and say such individual things that I could not imagine having one over the other. This is a welcome addition to the catalog, one that no Beethoven fan should be without.

Great -- All Around.......2006-01-16

Wonderful recordings. Great musicianship and superb sound. A real joy! Highly recommended.

Old (but Very Fine) Wine, New Skins--A Revelatory Listening Experience.......2005-11-22

Beethoven's great overtures need no special pleading, and yet David Zinman gets down so effectively to where this music lives that in some cases, it is like hearing a thrice-familiar work for the first time. Even the Zur Namensfeier Overture, easily the least distinguished of the pieces collected here, has both sparkle and bite in Zinman's reading. The similar but much finer King Stephen Overture is always a smile-inducing surprise among Beethoven's dramatically charged overtures, given its simple joviality. Here it smiles with a youthful freshness that you don't hear in every interpretation.

The most revelatory performance for me, though, is of the Coriolan Overture, a darkly brooding piece that usually seems a bit dour despite its obvious craftsmanship and the undying memorability of its poignant second melody. Zinman succeeds in bringing out the fiery drama in this piece, which seems more often to smolder than to burn outright. Zinman's is a truly captivating performance and will be the way I choose to hear this wonderful work from now on.

Another piece that can seem pedantic and overwrought, The Consecration of the House Overture, is in Zinman's hands perfectly proportioned. Here as elsewhere, Zinman is faster than a lot of conductors but without sacrificing any of the grandiosity of this very grand piece. The one place where I'd say he rushes things too much is in the slow introduction to Egmont: the "quasi allegro" at which he takes the opening fails to provide contrast to the true allegro that is to follow. A small misstep given the many, many felicities of this set. Overall, in fact, it should let you hear these tried-and-true masterworks with a new set of ears.

In writing of Zinman's Beethoven Symphonies series, some critics have complained that the Tonhalle Orchestra produces an anemic sound. I don't hear evidence of that on these discs. There is real heft in the lower strings at the start of the Zur Namensfeier and Egmont Overtures, and the consciously "big" pieces such as the Leonore 2 and 3 and The Consecration of the House Overtures have a proper Beethovenian robustness. Sometimes, I'd say, the horns sound overtaxed, but just as often they produce a blaze of glory for Zinman. So I can't find any great objection to the playing of this mostly very fine orchestra.

I also like the sound the engineers have captured in the lively Tonhalle. It provides depth as well as detail: there is sheen to the high strings; punch and heft to the brass, timpani, lower strings.

In fact, I like just about everything these discs have to offer, including their super bargain price.

Much-needed fresh interpretation of the overtures.......2005-06-12

Surprisingly, there are relatively few choices currently available when it comes to complete collections of the Beethoven overtures, long part of the standard repetoire of any respectable orchestra. The Masur/Leipzig collection has been around for about 30 years, but until Zinman's collection was released this year, it has been pretty slim pickings.

At first, I did not know quite what to think, because Zinman offers a much leaner, fast-paced interpretation of nearly every overture. On average, his tempi are over a minute faster than the more traditional tempi of Masur's, which means that the Tonhalle Orchestra is really on a brisk clip. The orchestra's sound is also considerably lighter than one might expect (unless you are dealing with Gardiner & his period instruments, who have not yet recorded the overtures as far as I know). Whether this a result of reduced personnel or careful mike placement, I don't know, but the result is a much less heavy sound than what normally hears.

Initially, I did not care for what I found to be unfamiliar, but the more I listened, the more Zinman's tempi made sense and the more accessible these overtures became. Also (unlike Masur's edition), the three Leonore overtures do not run consecutively which is to the overall benefit of the collection. There are occasional moments of weakness in the horns & the violins, but they are brief and do not particularly detract from the performances. The recording appears to be a little bass-heavy at times, but not oppressively so; most of the time the sound has a light freshness to it that is most pleasing to the ear.

It also doesn't hurt that Arte Nova has made these CDs dirt-cheap. A mediocre performance for this little money could be easily forgiven; it is made all the better that these performances are top-notch. Anyone who loves Beethoven overtures (and who doesn't?) would be mad to overlook this collection.

Average customer rating: The Best Beethoven Symphonies Recording I've Ever Heard Solti's Beethoven is mainly for his fans. big shouldered beethoven from the city of big shoulders... Solti's Great Beethoven- an essential! The benchmark recordings for the Beethoven nine !

Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Solti, Sir Georg | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos Beethoven: Nine Symphonies Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas & Concertos Beethoven: The Piano Concertos Mozart: 46 Symphonies - Berlin Philharmonic / Karl Böhm ASIN: B0000041XV Release Date: 1990-09-11

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: I Adagio molto - Allegro con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: II Andante cantabile con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: III Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: IV Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: I Adagio molto - Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: II Larghetto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: III Scherzo: Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 2 In D Major, Op. 36: V Allegro molto - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': I Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': II Marcia funebre: Adagio assai - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': III Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': IV Finale: Allegro molto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Overture 'Egmont', op. 84 - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: I Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: II Andante con moto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: III Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: IV Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: I Adagio - Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: II Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: III Allegro vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: IV Allegro ma non troppo - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': I Allegro ma non troppo - Awakening Of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival In The Country - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': II Andante molto mosso - By The Brook - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': III Allegro - Peasants' Merrymaking - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': IV Allegro - Thunderstorm - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': V Allegretto - Shepherd's Song. Happy And Thankful Feelings After The Storm - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Overture 'Leonore' No. 3, Op. 72a - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: I Poco sostenuto - Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: II Allegretto - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: III Presto - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: IV Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: I Allegro vivace e con brio - L.V. Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: II Allegretto scherzando - L.V. Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: III Tempo di menuetto - L.V. Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 8 In F Major, Op. 93: IV Allegro vivace - L.V. Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: I Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: II Molto vivace - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: III Adagio molto e cantabile - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125: IV Presto - Allegro assai - Andante maestoso - Allegro energico, sempre ben marcato - L.V. Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

The Best Beethoven Symphonies Recording I've Ever Heard.......2007-06-20

This is absolutely a gorgeous recording. It is uplifting and some of the softer sections of the 9th Symphony are so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes.

The Karajan Beethoven Symphonies of 1963 which many rave over is a casualty of not transferring from analog to digital well. Though Karajan's interpretation is wonderful, it is overpowering to the point of speaker overload in the stronger parts and too weak in the softer parts which is typical of old live analog orchestra recordings transferring to digital.

I think Sir Georg was the last of the conductors of his time and style, which is very sad. There will never be a kind like him or Karajan again.

Solti's Beethoven is mainly for his fans........2007-04-22

Although there are some great moments in Sir Georg Solti's last Beethoven Symphony cycle, recorded 1986-89, there are generally better recordings available.

First of all, Sir Georg's tempos in Symphony I: IV and Symphony 2: IV are break-neck, and almost reckless, so much so the Chicago players have trouble staying together!

The recording job throughout is acceptable, but the orchestra does not sound that realistic or immediate, and Decca's usually rich bass and midrange don't come through as in many other Solti recordings. The record level is low, and one has to boost the volume quite alot to get any sense of presence.

I don't think as highly of this set as some listeners might, as I have other recordings of Beethoven I turn to more often: Karl Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG, rec. 1970-72) especially for Symphonies 2,3,4,5,6, and 8; Bernstein/Vienna Philharmonic (DG, rec. 1977-9); Szell/Cleveland (Sony Essential classics, rec. 1959-68) for Symphonies 1,3,4,and 9;
Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic (DG, either the 1961-2 or 1975-77 cycle, both available as complete sets); Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony (Sony: Symphonies 2,3,4,6, and 8); Ormandy/Philadelphia Orchestra (Sony: Symphonies 5,6 and 8 - may be hard to find in April, 2007) or even Solti/Chicago Symphony in an earlier analog cycle (London, rec. 1972-74) which has sound with better presence: more defined bass, than this recording. Those who are Chicago Symphony fans and MUST have one of their recordings could seek out any of the Fritz Reiner/Chicago Beethovens: Symphonies 1,3,5,6,7 and 9 are still available (RCA).

In light of the competition, I'd pass on this one.

If you like Solti/Chicago, consider their recordings of the Brahms Symphonies (London, 4 CD set). And for SOLTI fans, he recorded the Beethoven Symphonies 3, 5 and 7 with the Vienna Philharmonic (Decca, 1958), a recording I have not heard, but have read is very good, better than either of Solti's Chicago Beethoven Symphony recordings.

big shouldered beethoven from the city of big shoulders..........2006-08-06

This is a broad, powerful, heavy-duty Beethoven symphony cycle, free of idiosyncracy, that can stand as a benchmark to measure against more unconventional interpretations, a kind of golden mean of Beethoven. Decca's spacious sonics foregrounds Solti's attention to orchestral detail; all the sections, particularly the low strings and the winds can be heard to beautiful effect. Solti's tempos are expansive, and as befits a great opera conductor,incident rules over architecture. The decade from the late '80's to the late '90's was a stellar period for Beethoven symphony cycles. The four best, each completely at odds with the other, are Gardiner (period performance practice, Beethoven as French revolutionary, martial, manic, zealous); Barenboim (Wagnerian, deep orchestral colors, expressive tempos); Harnoncourt (raw,fusing Barenboim's personal expressiveness and Gardiner's small forces and fast tempos --Beethoven as untamed avant gardist, somewhere between Bach and Schoenberg); and this set, where Solti utilizes a Wagnerian orchestra with strong on-the-beat phrasing (Toscanini to Barenboim's Furtwangler). This conductor was the last of the old-school Middle Europeans in the field, and one of the only members of his breed to benefit from a first-rate band recorded with clarity in digital sound. (Karajan's late Beethoven cycle is to be avoided at all cost). If you like your Ludwig Van straight up, technocratic, without weirdness or surprises, then this set is for you (I mean that as a compliment...)

Solti's Great Beethoven- an essential!.......2006-05-22

Reviewers would tell you that Karajan's first Deutsche Grammophon recordings is the Beethoven cycle to own. While I believe that Karajan's string-rich virtuoso view of Beethoven's score is refreshing, a quick comparison of the score and Karajan's music shows that he often takes a very Wagnerian (rubato) view of the score. Most people believe that Wagnerian entails a brassy, loud "heavy-metal" handed interpretation of the music. This, however, is a misconception that needs to be erased. Unlike Wagner, Beethoven had metronome markings in his score that a conductor needs to interpret to music to make the music sound right. Also, the development in the symphonies' musical and emotional structure are aided by these score markings to make it easier for the conductor to bring forth the composer's message. Karajan took a Wagnerian style of conducting in the sense that he changed some of the tempi to his liking. Solti, however, follows Beethoven's score in a German Romantic tradition. This means that there is a transparency to his conducting, but not to the degree that Szell takes with his Beethoven. Every musical detail is heard, and the strings are very well accentuated too. Karajan's recording emphasized the strings too much and drowned the other instruments. I find that although his Beethoven symphonies can be rather ravishing, it does not offer a very complete vision of the music.

These Chicago recordings (recorded by possibly the greatest symphony in the world at that time, the CSO) are undoubtedly the work of a conductor who knew the intentions of Beethoven very well and respected them. I highly recommend this set for anyone who wants to listen to Beethoven as it should be performed.

The benchmark recordings for the Beethoven nine !.......2005-10-16

Some say the Karajan (1963) are better. Well it may have sounded so *inside the hall* when Karajan played it back then. But the recording is pretty awful. I own the set and am thinking of tossing them out. But then it shouldn't come as a surprise because it was recorded in ..umm..1963.. using primitive equipment.

This Decca DDD set, like all Decca DDD recordings, are just spectacular ! The sound is rich, clear and room filling with plenty of bass in the strings, something most other recordings seem to lack. I have heard many versions of the Beethoven nine, Szell, Bernstein, Karajan, Muti, Levine, Chailly and others - but this is the one that sets the benchmark.

(ps: For # 3, I prefer the Levine/Met (DG, 4D recording) version )

Average customer rating: Mostly good Look at the List of Performers First this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! Buy my box Set!

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