 | | |
| Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos | 
 enlarge
| Creators: Hans Hotter, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Otto Klemperer, Christa Ludwig, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra Of London, Daniel Barenboim, Aase Nordmo Lovberg, Aase Nordmo-lovberg, Waldemar Kmentt
Label: EMI Classics
Category: Music
List Price: $62.98
Buy New: $37.97
You Save: $25.01 (40%)
Buy New/Used from $23.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  (27 reviews)
Sales Rank: 5712
Format: Box Set, Limited Edition, Original Recording Reissued
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 9
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 5 x 1.1
UPC: 724357389525
EAN: 0724357389525
ASIN: B00004YA0S
Release Date: November 7, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Music of the Spheres. October 31, 2004
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
To own these recordings; what a privilege!
These are to me, without a doubt the most convincing and satisfying accounts of these most eternal symphonic works ever committed to disc.
Without wanting to slaughter this gift by detaining it for analysis, yet there are two characteristic traits worthy of mention to the ardent devotee of Beethoven's works: first, the Klemperer 'sound', and second, the Klemperer 'SOUND'. There is an exact and almost terrifyingly hypnotic fusion here of supreme, organic, and hefty recorded sound quality with a logical, colossal, and well-nigh spiritual traversal of these symphonies.
The orchestra demonstrates a rare and elevated capacity to play through these scores note by note, never forgetting themselves in the frenzy of celestial splendour. They are always in the moment, never rushing, never dabbling, but steady, steady, like some granite truck ploughing through the eternal cosmos, or like an oak tree towering upward, growing, growing, and reaching mesmerizing heights.
I deeply respect the many contributions by other amazing conductors of the bygone era to this canon. The interpretations of Furtwangler, Pfitzner, Weingartner and Toscanini should especially not be overlooked. However, there is a fire in these recordings, an intensity of precision and seriousness that elsewhere have not been matched.
Meditate on these divine works. Appreciate and enjoy them.
 EMI Still Didn't Get It Right February 22, 2004
34 out of 48 found this review helpful
I love these Klemperer Beethoven recordings but considering the number of times EMI has repackaged this material, it is hard to believe they still haven't gotten it right. There is no reason why Klemperer's performance of the Violin Concerto with Yehudi Menuhin (currently out-of-print stateside), his accounts of the King Stephen, Fidelio and Consecration of the House Overtures, and the Egmont Incidental Music (the latter four available on a title in the Klemperer Legacy series) could not have been included in this box set. By my count, the majority of this material could have fit on a 10th disc, and the remainder surely could have been squeezed on one of the existing nine CDs. This is a fine set as is, but it could have been perfect.
A MIGHTY CYCLE AND BOXED SET October 7, 2003
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
Otto Klemperer was one of the greatest conductors and Beethoven interpreters the world has ever known.
This set is as complete as you could get. It's got just about every major orchestral work by Beethoven, superbly recorded and magisterially interpreted.
Too slow? August 11, 2003
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
I have no problems with Klemperer's tempi. If you're an 'authentic guy', you should stop reading here. If you are looking for just one version of Beethoven's symphonies, this is high quality at a low price, with 5 piano concertos & a few overtures thrown in for good measure - a classic but you have to know that the tempi are slower than, say, Karajan's cycle. If you're a collector of various cycles Beethoven's symphonies, this is heaven! Why? Because it's 'different'. If you collect Beethoven symphony cycles, the last thing you want is your different cycles to sound alike.
One of the two best. Not for everyone though..... March 5, 2003
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
I'll honestly admit I was a Klemperer-skeptic for a long time. A few months ago I became hooked on his supreme intellect and insight and his meticulous detail in phrasing and clarity.
As with all recordings of Klemperer this one is not a winner at first hearing. But after repeated listening it dug into my mind and never left there and I cannot imagine a life without this set.
The thing with Klemperer is that he was a conductor who values certain aspects of music (clarity, detail of phrasing, architectural insight and logic) which simply not all listeners appreciate. I do love this kind of music making and hence this is (together with the still underrated Szell cycle) my favorite set, even though it is not as immediately attractive or pleasing as certain others. Klemperer has always been a musician rather than an entertainer. He is the one to go to for musical truth rather than immediate thrills.
However, once one has taken the effort of getting to know his recordings you will notice that it becomes all the more thrilling in it's depths and in the myriad details he has to offer.
Moreover, it's one of the rare cycles with the violins placed antiphonically, something which greatly adds to my orchestral enjoyment.
Don't live without this set if you value the qualities I mentioned. If you like your Beethoven different then feel free to ignore it and look for another conductor.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| | |
