Beethoven Bargain

[Grazioso]

Sony/BMG's 60-CD Beethoven: Complete Masterpieces set is now just $27.49 at Amazon.com.

[prémont]

Sony/BMG's 60-CD Beethoven: Complete Masterpieces set is now just $27.49 at Amazon.com.

Whatever you own of LvB recordings already, this is a most valuable set, containing among others Zinman´s Symphonies, Ouvertures and Concertos and Charles Rosens late Sonatas. This alone is more worth than the cost.

[BachQ]

now just $27.49 at Amazon.com.

Utterly insane price ........

[George]

The Alexander QT does the QT's, no?

[prémont]

The Alexander QT does the QT's, no?

Yes, haven´t heard them yet, and I think, it will take some time, until I get that far.

[George]

Yes, haven´t heard them yet, and I think, it will take some time, until I get that far.

I have one disc and enjoy it. The sound is great as well.

[prémont]

I have one disc and enjoy it. The sound is great as well.

Which one?

[Larry Rinkel]

It might be a bargain, but I would supplement (or replace) anything conducted by David Zinman with readings of the symphonies and Missa Solemnis that offer a less streamlined, slick, "Beethoven-lite" approach complete with cutesy ornamentation that is never an improvement over the written texts. I've gotten rid of any Zinman Beethoven I owned. An inexpensive set of the symphonies such as the Mackerras or Szell, plus a Missa like Bernstein's or Klemperer's, would not break the budget and would provide far better music-making.

[BachQ]

cutesy ornamentation

Yeah, LvB would not approve ...........

[George]

Which one?

The one with Op. 135 and 131.

[George]

It might be a bargain, but I would supplement (or replace) anything conducted by David Zinman with readings of the symphonies and Missa Solemnis that offer a less streamlined, slick, "Beethoven-lite" approach complete with cutesy ornamentation that is never an improvement over the written texts. I've gotten rid of any Zinman Beethoven I owned. An inexpensive set of the symphonies such as the Mackerras or Szell, plus a Missa like Bernstein's or Klemperer's, would not break the budget and would provide far better music-making.

As the years roll on, I return to the Szell set with more and more awe. Mackerras I find too light for my taste here. 

[alkan]

Any strengths or weaknesses in the Szell symphony series (with Cleveland presumably) ??
What's the sound like ?

Thanks

PS :   I love Szell in Haydn and Brahms ...... I have both of these sets

[George]

Any strengths or weaknesses in the Szell symphony series (with Cleveland presumably) ??
What's the sound like ?

Thanks

PS :   I love Szell in Haydn and Brahms ...... I have both of these sets

Yes, Cleveland...

Run, don't walk to your nearest store/website!! 

Seriously, the sound is exceptional for it's age. The performances are brisk and muscular. Sample the opening to the 3rd symphony on amazon and you'll see what I mean.

If you can get it coupled with the concerti, go for it, as those performances are classics as well. Otherwise, I would look for them in the used stores, usually they have a couple.

[dirkronk]

Any strengths or weaknesses in the Szell symphony series (with Cleveland presumably) ??
What's the sound like ?

To augment George's succinct (but apt) recommendation...the Szell Beethoven cycle's 3rd, 8th and 9th are exceptional. All the rest are at least very good, though some reveal their value only over time. I came to a greater appreciation of his 6th not long ago...I tend to prefer Walter/ColSO, Cluytens et al...but the precision and the faster pacing that Szell offers actually does work IMO.

I'm told that if you are a native German speaker, you may have issues with the pronunciation of the soloists/chorus in 9.iv (I'm blissfully ignorant of such refined understanding, so I can enjoy the performance without wincing), but the performance is one of the most cohesive ones I've heard in the stereo era, with a natural progression, excellent segues from movement to movement, and beautifully taut control throughout; he may not achieve the refined blend offered by Fricsay (another stereo fave of mine), but it never seems like the orchestra's in danger of running away from him (which for me mars the i and some of the ii in Karajan's famous 1963 version). So far as interp is concerned, I'd swear Szell had been listening to the classic Mengelberg/COA 9th of 1940 for his inspiration.

The 8th I'd put on the same level with Scherchen, who's wilder than Szell but no less serious about treating this symphony with the respect it's due. This is a must-hear IMO.

FWIW. Since you like Szell's Haydn and Brahms, I have to think you'll enjoy his Beethoven. And though this is going far afield from the thread topic, for heaven's sake, don't miss Szell's late Mozart symphonies or his Mozart concerti with Serkin and Casadesus.

Enjoy,

Dirk

[not edward]

To augment George's succinct (but apt) recommendation...the Szell Beethoven cycle's 3rd, 8th and 9th are exceptional. All the rest are at least very good, though some reveal their value only over time. I came to a greater appreciation of his 6th not long ago...I tend to prefer Walter/ColSO, Cluytens et al...but the precision and the faster pacing that Szell offers actually does work IMO.

I'm told that if you are a native German speaker, you may have issues with the pronunciation of the soloists/chorus in 9.iv (I'm blissfully ignorant of such refined understanding, so I can enjoy the performance without wincing), but the performance is one of the most cohesive ones I've heard in the stereo era, with a natural progression, excellent segues from movement to movement, and beautifully taut control throughout; he may not achieve the refined blend offered by Fricsay (another stereo fave of mine), but it never seems like the orchestra's in danger of running away from him (which for me mars the i and some of the ii in Karajan's famous 1963 version). So far as interp is concerned, I'd swear Szell had been listening to the classic Mengelberg/COA 9th of 1940 for his inspiration.

The 8th I'd put on the same level with Scherchen, who's wilder than Szell but no less serious about treating this symphony with the respect it's due. This is a must-hear IMO.

FWIW. Since you like Szell's Haydn and Brahms, I have to think you'll enjoy his Beethoven. And though this is going far afield from the thread topic, for heaven's sake, don't miss Szell's late Mozart symphonies or his Mozart concerti with Serkin and Casadesus.

Enjoy,

Dirk

What do you think of Szell in 2? That's probably my favourite performance amongst the Szell Beethovens I know (and I prefer it to 3 & .

Btw, which Scherchen do you like for 8? I think the studio one's great but haven't heard the Lugano one.

[Anne]

The Alexander QT does the QT's, no?

For what it's worth, The Teaching Co. uses the Alexander Quartet for the music in their course, "The Chamber Music of Mozart."  The course just happens to be on sale right now.  I am in no way connected to the company,

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/coursedesclong2.aspx?cid=7237&id=7237&pc=SaleFine%20Arts%20and%20Music

[dirkronk]

What do you think of Szell in 2?

I like his version a lot, but I actually like Reiner/Pittsburgh and Scherchen even more. Szell, however, has the benefit of better recording than either of those two.

Oh...and I haven't done a spin-off between the studio and Lugano Scherchen 8ths. I probably should. And if I do so any time soon, I'll report.


Dirk

[prémont]

It might be a bargain, but I would supplement (or replace) anything conducted by David Zinman with readings of the symphonies and Missa Solemnis that offer a less streamlined, slick, "Beethoven-lite" approach complete with cutesy ornamentation that is never an improvement over the written texts. I've gotten rid of any Zinman Beethoven I owned. An inexpensive set of the symphonies such as the Mackerras or Szell, plus a Missa like Bernstein's or Klemperer's, would not break the budget and would provide far better music-making.

I admit with pleasure, that Zinmans LvB Symphonies isn´t my preferred recording, nor do I like his "cutesy ornamentation", but in the later years I have appreciated a less traditional LvB like Mackerras´ more and more . Also Hogwood´s Symphonies, Lubin/Hogwood´s and Levin/Gardiner´s Piano concertos and so on, without being fanatical though. In this context I find Zinmans LvB recordings (the Piano concertos and the Violin concerto with the excellent soloists Bronfman and Tetzlaff at most) well worth owning (especially regarding the actual "dirty"-price), -certainly not as the one and only version, but as one of say 5 - 10 versions, and you may BTW easily catch me enjoying Klemperer, Fricsay or the likes.

[Harry]

I have this set, and its worth every penny for the symphonies and SQ alone!

[AnthonyAthletic]

I have this set, and its worth every penny for the symphonies and SQ alone!

I remember a while ago when we briefly talked about "My getting this set", I didn't at the time, then saw this thread and thought WOW £17.50p DELIVERED for 60cds....that's one heck of a bargain.

Couldn't resist, its now on order 

After looking at what's on offer I would estimate that 40% of the music on the set are works I have not yet heard, wether a beginner or piecemeal collector to grab them at this price, is a real no brainer.