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Perahia and Solti reinvent Beethoven   March 12, 2001

In short, whether or not you are a classical music fan, or whether or not you saw or liked the movie, not to buy this CD is to pass up on the experience of a lifetime.


Absolutely superb!   February 13, 2001
  2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Beethoven is my favorite classical composer and the movie 'Immortal Beloved' brought new meaning and beauty to his music, so this soundtrack is one of my most cherished classical albums. Having seen the movie, I can no longer listen to 'Ode to Joy' without sensing the awe and ecstasy at the wonder of being part of this vast and exquisite universe.

I will be honest: I am not familiar with many Beethoven recordings, so I can't say how this one compares to the competition; on its own, however, it is a majestic, glorious, heartbreaking, goosebump-inducing representation of Beethoven's work. The recording is clear and well-arranged and the performances are breathtaking. I cannot recommend this album more highly.


Exquisite. Pure Genius.   January 18, 2001
  5 out of 5 found this review helpful

"Immortal Beloved" was a romantic, hypnotic, visually rich film. The soundtrack is just as fantastic. And no wonder, it is nothing but Beethoven's greatest works. It is more exquisite than any film soundtrack has the right to be, with the music being performed by Emanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Gidon Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma, Murray Perahia and The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Georg Solti. Listening to "Immortal Beloved: The Soundtrack," is a moving experience that reminds you of the first time Beethoven's music captured your ear...and heart. Here is solid proof of his genius and his rightful title as the greatest composer who ever lived. Just listen to the hypnotic, moving sound of his "Moonlight Sonata" or "Elise." And who can forget the exhilarating feel of the 5th Symphony with the most famous musical opening ever devised. The performance of "Ode to Joy" is simply magnificent and fills with, what else? Joy. Beethoven's music gets the fine treatment in this soundtrack as it does in the film. We can feel his disturbed genius, his sad love stories, his deep passions. What is the music but not pure passions played out with sound? This work is epic, moving, haunting, hypnotic, grand and romantic. A great CD for those who love great music.


My favourite classical CD   November 22, 2000
  6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I appreciate classical music, but am not by any means a connoisseur. However, when the classical music critic in my newspaper gave this soundtrack the rare five star rating I went out and purchased it. Ever since it has been the album that calms my soul. When I am feeling at a loss, it is like scripture in music. It is gorgeous, lush, and very accessible. I actually have never seen the movie, too scared that it will ruin my own images when I hear the songs. So beautiful and one assumes that this is pretty top level talent with Ax and Yo-Yo Ma. It made Beethoven my favourite composer.


Get More for Your Money   September 2, 2000
  19 out of 23 found this review helpful

To get truncated works in such an expensive collection is a waste of money. Go for sets by established artists and begin to enjoy the works in their entirety. Many of these sets go for far less then this movie soundtrack and are valuable for presenting the complete works as Beethoven intended. One cannot pay homage to a master composer by deciding to play unrelated snippets of their works. Particularly when the works are put together as complete units with the unique genius of Beethoven. You may as well listen to Beethoven with ocean sounds as this. I did a quick search on Beethoven in amazon and these titles came up immediately:

Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna PO -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Beethoven: 9 Symphonies, Overtures / Bernstein, Vienna PO -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Beethoven: The 9th Symphony / Solti, Chicago SO & Chorus -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Beethoven: The Piano Concertos / Ashkenazy, Solti -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), et al; Audio CD Artur Rubinstein - Beethoven: Piano Sonatas - Moonlight, etc -- Ludwig van Beethoven(Composer), Artur Rubinstein (Performer); Audio CD.

All of these, accept the complete 9 Symphony set, cost less then this CD. Even that however, is a bargain at 56 dollars for 9 complete Symphonies. Do yourself a favor and get a complete recording of any of the works you enjoy. You will then go on to purchase more.