Beethoven's 8th

[elotito]

I've always had trouble finding a great recording of this one, above all the others. I found a list of threads on here with each cycle but the 8th was not included.

I've heard:

Rattle
Chailly
Paavo Järvi
Gardiner
Vanska
Hogwood

I think I like Chailly the most, the sound quality is incredible. I've read some comments suggesting that he made it sound like elevator music which I can't say I can understand, it sounds to me like a punchy and energetic recording. I have only listened to it once though so maybe I need to listen more closely.

So, what's your favourite recording of this one?

[bhodges]

I like Muti/Philadelphia, but haven't heard most of those on your list, so can't weigh in on how it compares.

(Sorry, cover image doesn't show, but link does go to the recording.)

[asin]B00000DNKD[/asin]

--Bruce

[Brian]

Chailly
Paavo Järvi
Gardiner

I like all three of these, quite a lot. You may enjoy hearing a version that is very, very different, like Daniel Barenboim's, which is much bigger and more epic, with a huge orchestra, but still very exciting.

I can't remember what my favorite is, but Chailly and Claudio Abbado (Berlin PO, red color box set) are definitely two of them. Barenboim I like too. I think the 8th is my favorite performance from Karajan's famous 1962-3 cycle (maybe the 9th too).

[Mandryka]

So, what's your favourite recording of this one?

Casals at Marlboro; Franz Schalk VPO

[Sergeant Rock]

Szell/Cleveland
Harnoncourt/COE
Bernstein/Vienna
Barenboim/SK Berlin
Norrington/Stuttgart


Sarge

[Holden]

My favourite doesn't qualify



It certainly reveals a lot of the more complex parts of the music than many of the orchestral recordings do

[xochitl]

chailly, bernstein/vpo, and walter for me. in particular walter's 1st movement is the most heartfelt and exultant ive ever heard

[aquablob]

Abbado's 2000 and 2001 recordings of the 8th are very good (haven't heard his cycle from the 1980s). I've also enjoyed Gardiner, Szell, and Kletzki, among others. Pletnev is good here, too.

[Pat B]

Abbado's 2000 and 2001 recordings of the 8th are very good (haven't heard his cycle from the 1980s).

Abbado's '80s VPO pairing of the 7th and 8th was my first recording of both works. His 8th never did much for me, so for years I thought I just didn't like the piece. Maybe I should give it another chance, though. (I like his 7th.)

Ormandy, despite his reputation, recorded an excellent 8th.

ETA: I like Gardiner's a lot too.

[0spinboson]

in particular walter's 1st movement is the most heartfelt and exultant ive ever heard

Among those the ones I'd recommend with no hesitation are(it depends on what you are looking for):

Walter

Which recording? Columbia SO or NYPO?

[xochitl]

in that case i should probably listen to some haydn [one of my major blind spots]

[HIPster]

Norrington/London Classical Players:
[asin]B000K5SLT2[/asin]

*Link works. . .