Beethoven Symphonies Cycle: Which is your #1 pick?

[hopefullytrusting]

I share that sentiment. Today there are very few which I don't find enjoyable in one way or another.

I'm in agreement with this sentiment as well, when push comes to shove, I'm pretty satisfied with any set.

I only take that Todd-like incision when it comes to what I own, as I am a minimalist, bordering in the hyper-variant, so I only want to own one of that thing, and that is how I got to Scherchen in the symphonies or Backhaus in the sonatas.

[San Antone]

Regarding historical sound, we all draw our line somewhere, but I'm curious about your opinion of sound in Scherchen. Are you referring to his cycle recorded on the Westminster label? Certainly not SOTA by modern standards, but it's stereo and has great sonics for mid-50s. Not Reiner in Chicago good, but...
  Anyway, I don't want to argue or anything, but I'd be surprised if you found that distractingly poor.

The transfer I sampled that day sounded rather dry and small, but I'm sure there could be better sounding ones.



I don't go looking for older recordings no matter their reputation, since as has been posted by several members - almost any recording of these works can be enjoyable, to me. So, when I listen to Beethoven symphonies, I grab the most recent recording I find.

As far as Beethoven, I more often listen to his piano sonatas and string quartets.  Generally I'm not a symphony kind of guy, for any composer.

[George]

1. Wand
2. Barenboim
3. Szell
4. Karajan 63

[Mookalafalas]

The transfer I sampled that day sounded rather dry and small, but I'm sure there could be better sounding ones.



I don't go looking for older recordings no matter their reputation, since as has been posted by several members - almost any recording of these works can be enjoyable, to me. So, when I listen to Beethoven symphonies, I grab the most recent recording I find.

As far as Beethoven, I more often listen to his piano sonatas and string quartets.  Generally I'm not a symphony kind of guy, for any composer.

   Fair enough. And I agree, in general. There are new things coming out every day, and a lot of it is spectacular. I live in Japan, and they tend to idolize and fetishize certain names from the past. Many serious collectors/listeners are hardly aware there are 21st century recordings. MOST music stores in my area (Sapporo) only sell vinyl. It's a bit frustrating.

[AnotherSpin]

Fair enough. And I agree, in general. There are new things coming out every day, and a lot of it is spectacular. I live in Japan, and they tend to idolize and fetishize certain names from the past. Many serious collectors/listeners are hardly aware there are 21st century recordings. MOST music stores in my area (Sapporo) only sell vinyl. It's a bit frustrating.

It seems logical. People who enjoy analog playback can still buy vinyl records. Those who prefer digital formats can download music from the internet, not to mention streaming. Why clutter your living space with plastic cases and discs when a downloaded file delivers the recording just as well?

[Mookalafalas]

It seems logical. People who enjoy analog playback can still buy vinyl records. Those who prefer digital formats can download music from the internet, not to mention streaming. Why clutter your living space with plastic cases and discs when a downloaded file delivers the recording just as well?

  That is probably the case for many. However, I think most are not that progressive. This is the land of the fax machine and the flopppy disk, paper money, and hand stamps.

[Jo498]

Regarding historical sound, we all draw our line somewhere, but I'm curious about your opinion of sound in Scherchen. Are you referring to his cycle recorded on the Westminster label? Certainly not SOTA by modern standards, but it's stereo and has great sonics for mid-50s. Not Reiner in Chicago good, but...
   Anyway, I don't want to argue or anything, but I'd be surprised if you found that distractingly poor.

It's mostly mono; Scherchen only re-did 3 (and the stereo Eroica is the single Scherchen Beethoven recording everyone should have heard at least once even if the excitement it generated as late as the 1980s is put in perspective by more recent recordings that also adhere to the fast tempi) and 6? or 8? in stereo, I think, unless some of the even later Swiss/Italian radio broadcast are in stereo but IIRC they are not) but I agree that it is fairly good 1950s mono sound that is rather better than more famous historical recordings, e.g. most of Toscanini's.

[AnotherSpin]

That is probably the case for many. However, I think most are not that progressive. This is the land of the fax machine and the flopppy disk, paper money, and hand stamps.

And also authentic jeans, replicas of Levi's from the 1940s–50s made today from selvedge denim on vintage sewing machines, bench-made shoes, and so on. It's admirable that in Japan, they still strive to preserve and continue traditions that the rest of the so-called developed world has abandoned, replacing them with standardized, soulless, disposable products.

How wonderful that, at least in some areas, this infamous progress has stalled or disappeared altogether

[palexaze]

My favorite cycles are Szell/Cleveland,Gunther Wand/NDR and Karajan 2nd/Berlin. For the HIP people, I like Dausgaard/Swedish Chamber

[Franco_Manitobain]

Welcome to GMG! 

[foxandpeng]

I can't remember if I have posted in this thread, because of seasonal stuff, but my tiny and non-influential opinion would put Vänskä and Minnesota pretty high in the mix. Only because I know them a little now, perhaps, and possibly because I know so few others.

Nevertheless, this is a place for opinions, so that is mine

[DavidW]

I have reacquainted myself with a good classic-- Bruno Walter. His Columbia recordings have received nice remasters and he has a great way of delivering the drama and impact while still allowing the music to breath.