Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

[Bogey]

Which transfers were used on the Regis issue? (That's the one I have, and I assume they didn't transfer it themselves.)

Edward,
By chance (fingers crossed) do you have samples of both the Regis and the Pearl to compare the two?  That would be a most helpful comparison for myself.

[George]

Which transfers were used on the Regis issue? (That's the one I have, and I assume they didn't transfer it themselves.)

I think its Nuovo Era.

[not edward]

Edward,
By chance (fingers crossed) do you have samples of both the Regis and the Pearl to compare the two?  That would be a most helpful comparison for myself.

Sorry, I don't have the Pearl.

[Wanderer]

1. What do you think are among Beethoven's greatest achievements?  Most "influential" works?

Beethoven managed to produce at least one masterpiece in every genre, pushing boundaries and becoming a paragon for his successors.I could single out Missa Solemnis as the most monumental of his creations and a particular favourite of mine.


2. What are your favorite works by Beethoven?  Least favorite?

Great favourites of mine are the Missa Solemnis (and the often maligned Mass in C), all the symphonies (especially nos.3, 5, 6, 9), piano concertos nos.4 & 5, violin concerto, many piano sonatas ("Waldstein", op.101, etc), choral fantasia, violin sonatas nos.5, 9 & 10, the cello sonatas, "Archduke" trio, overtures (especially "Die Weihe des Hauses")...and I don't really dislike anything.


3. Do you feel that Beethoven's personal challenges (deafness; nephew issues; etc) considerably heightened the emotional content of his music?

One can only guess and I won't.

4. Any favorite recordings?  Of Symphonies? Piano Sonatas? Concertos?  Chamber?  Overtures?


Off the top of my head:
Symphonies: Abbado DVD cycle.
Piano Sonatas: Gilels & Gulda.
Concertos: Pollini, Gilels and a number of others.
Chamber: Argerich/Kremer (violin sonatas) and Argerich/Maisky (cello sonatas)

[BachQ]

1. What do you think are among Beethoven's greatest achievements?  Most "influential" works?

Beethoven managed to produce at least one masterpiece in every genre, pushing boundaries and becoming a paragon for his successors.I could single out Missa Solemnis as the most monumental of his creations and a particular favourite of mine.

***
4. Any favorite recordings?  Of Symphonies? Piano Sonatas? Concertos?  Chamber?  Overtures?


Off the top of my head:
Symphonies: Abbado DVD cycle.
Piano Sonatas: Gilels & Gulda.
Concertos: Pollini, Gilels and a number of others.
Chamber: Argerich/Kremer (violin sonatas) and Argerich/Maisky (cello sonatas)

Any favored recordings of Missa Solemnis?

[BachQ]

and I don't really dislike anything.

Probably the only composition that I really "dislike" is the remaking of the violin concerto as a piano concerto.  I understand why Beethoven did it, but he should have burned the score . . . . . . . 

[Wanderer]

Any favored recordings of Missa Solemnis?

For the time being, Levine and Karajan (the 1958 version on Testament). I'd like to hear Harnoncourt's version.

Probably the only composition that I really "dislike" is the remaking of the violin concerto as a piano concerto.  I understand why Beethoven did it, but he should have burned the score . . . . . . . 

The first movement cadenza of Beethoven's piano transcription (piano & timpani!) is a delight, though. Kremer has used it (in a transcription for violin, piano & timpani) in his own recording with Harnoncourt.

[karlhenning]

Beethoven's Bistro

Would you like Für Elise with that?

[PerfectWagnerite]

Probably the only composition that I really "dislike" is the remaking of the violin concerto as a piano concerto.  I understand why Beethoven did it, but he should have burned the score . . . . . . . 

I dislike Wellington's Victory, and I don't think I am in the minority.

[hornteacher]

Probably the only composition that I really "dislike" is the remaking of the violin concerto as a piano concerto.  I understand why Beethoven did it, but he should have burned the score . . . . . . . 

There's a remake of the VC as a CLARINET concerto that is actually quite good.  Couldn't imagine it as a piano concerto though.

[hornteacher]

I dislike Wellington's Victory, and I don't think I am in the minority.

I'm not a big fan of that one either, but ironically, it was a huge hit when first performed.

[Bogey]

I dislike Wellington's Victory, and I don't think I am in the minority.

I'm not a big fan of that one either, but ironically, it was a huge hit when first performed.

Agreed.  Great title, and usually cool cover art on the cd....but that is where it ends for me.

[BachQ]

The first movement cadenza of the piano transcription (piano & timpani!) is a delight, though. Kremer has used it (in a transcription for violin, piano & timpani) in his own recording with Harnoncourt.

Very interesting.    A cadenza comprising a violin, piano, and timpani trio!

[karlhenning]

The first movement cadenza of the piano transcription (piano & timpani!) is a delight, though. Kremer has used it (in a transcription for violin, piano & timpani) in his own recording with Harnoncourt.

Harnoncourt wouldn't go for the Schnittke cadenze, eh? 

[BachQ]

I'm not a big fan of that one either, but ironically, it was a huge hit when first performed.

Yeah, it was an enormous crowd-pleaser back in 1813 (when it premiered alongside his Seventh Symphony).

[BachQ]

There's a remake of the VC as a CLARINET concerto that is actually quite good.  Couldn't imagine it as a piano concerto though.

Fascinating.  Here it is:

[Wanderer]

Very interesting.    A cadenza comprising a violin, piano, and timpani trio!

A fascinating listen. The effect is similar in principle to Liszt's use of the triangle in his first piano concerto.

Harnoncourt wouldn't go for the Schnittke cadenze, eh? 

Is there such a cadenza? Is it recorded? 

[Maciek]

I'm not sure if it's been recorded (Kremer must surely have done that?) but a while back someone posted a performance with the Schnittke cadenza in the Broadcast Corner thread - maybe it's still up?

[hornteacher]

Fascinating.  Here it is:

Yep, that's the one.

[Bogey]

A lot of discussion about Kempff's Beethoven on the Listening Thread that was very interesting, so thought I would try to fire it up here so it will not get buried in the upcoming weeks.

Folks,
Out of all the cycles, and for that matter, incomplete cycles, what recordings of the sonatas would you say are the most "slow" or methodical, if the later is a better term?  And I am talking the speed where while you are listening you are physically trying to nudge the performer along without success.  Would the Kempff stereo works be one of these?