Beethoven's 7th Symphony

[Bogey]

What do you have that I might want to add to mine:

What I have on the shelf:

Furtwängler/BPO (Nov. 1943): Talk about breakneck speed in parts....hard driving as his '42 9th at times.

HvK/BPO (1963*): Looks like, sounds like, walks like HvK....strings are chalked full of "flavor" and has unexpected zip for HvK at times.  Not recommended for those living near a fault line.

Ashkenazy/Philharmonia (1983): The "winds" truly stand out in this recording.  Full bodied, crystal clear, speedy in parts, and just a lot of fun.  Probably my favorite.

HvK/BPO (1983) Holds up so-so with the '63 recording, though the sound is a bit muffled and at moments it gets one's attention for all the wrong reasons.

Hogwood/AAM (1989) My only HIP...lighter weight, butless than I thought before a decent listen.  However, the brass can be a  bit "brazen" at times for my taste.

Bernstein/BSO (1992): Struggles compared to the HvK/BPO '63 and Ashkenazy/Philharmonia recordings, but it was Lenny's final concert and that keeps it on my radar of enjoyment.

[Larry Rinkel]

What do you have that I might want to add to mine:

What I have on the shelf:

Furtwängler/BPO (Nov. 1943): Talk about breakneck speed in parts....hard driving as his '42 9th at times.

HvK/BPO (1963*): Looks like, sounds like, walks like HvK....strings are chalked full of "flavor" and has unexpected zip for HvK at times.  Not recommended for those living near a fault line.

Ashkenazy/Philharmonia (1983): The "winds" truly stand out in this recording.  Full bodied, crystal clear, speedy in parts, and just a lot of fun.  Probably my favorite.

HvK/BPO (1983) Holds up so-so with the '63 recording, though the sound is a bit muffled and at moments it gets one's attention for all the wrong reasons.

Hogwood/AAM (1989) My only HIP...lighter weight, butless than I thought before a decent listen.  However, the brass can be a  bit "brazen" at times for my taste.

Bernstein/BSO (1992): Struggles compared to the HvK/BPO '63 and Ashkenazy/Philharmonia recordings, but it was Lenny's final concert and that keeps it on my radar of enjoyment.

If you really need another, Toscanini 1936 or 37 with the NY Phil is a classic.

[PerfectWagnerite]

What do you have that I might want to add to mine:

What I have on the shelf:

Furtwängler/BPO (Nov. 1943): Talk about breakneck speed in parts....hard driving as his '42 9th at times.

HvK/BPO (1963*): Looks like, sounds like, walks like HvK....strings are chalked full of "flavor" and has unexpected zip for HvK at times.  Not recommended for those living near a fault line.

Ashkenazy/Philharmonia (1983): The "winds" truly stand out in this recording.  Full bodied, crystal clear, speedy in parts, and just a lot of fun.  Probably my favorite.

HvK/BPO (1983) Holds up so-so with the '63 recording, though the sound is a bit muffled and at moments it gets one's attention for all the wrong reasons.

Hogwood/AAM (1989) My only HIP...lighter weight, butless than I thought before a decent listen.  However, the brass can be a  bit "brazen" at times for my taste.

Bernstein/BSO (1992): Struggles compared to the HvK/BPO '63 and Ashkenazy/Philharmonia recordings, but it was Lenny's final concert and that keeps it on my radar of enjoyment.

An electic selection. I would add Carlos Kleiber's classic account on DG now coupled with an even greater 5th, Blomstedt's account with the SD on Brilliant Classics.

[Bogey]

If you really need another, Toscanini 1936 or 37 with the NY Phil is a classic.

You are correct.  I do not really need another, but when I am in my used haunts and see a recording that someone like yourself suggests Larry, then I usually buy it.  This is just one of those pieces that I have fun listening to a lot different interpretations.

[Bogey]

An electic selection. I would add Carlos Kleiber's classic account on DG now coupled with an even greater 5th....

And for $9.99 new at Arkive it may be worth a "new" purchase.

[Drasko]

Pierre Monteux / London Symphony Orchestra  (Decca)

[dtwilbanks]

And for $9.99 new at Arkive it may be worth a "new" purchase.

Definitely.

[Bogey]

Pierre Monteux / London Symphony Orchestra  (Decca)

This one is on a nice low priced two-fer as well.

[BorisG]

What do you have that I might want to add to mine?

Szell.

[George]

Szell.

Seconded. In fact, I recommend the whole set. 

[uffeviking]

 This is just one of those pieces that I have fun listening to a lot different interpretations.

If you enjoy listening to different interpretations, then why not give Mikhail Pletnev a chance? It's different, believe me! The beginning reminds me a lot of the Carlos Kleiber performance, but then things get interesting! 

[George]

If you enjoy listening to different interpretations, then why not give Mikhail Pletnev a chance? It's different, believe me! The beginning reminds me a lot of the Carlos Kleiber performance, but then things get interesting! 

You should get a job as Pletnev's press agent. 

[Renfield]

If you really need another, Toscanini 1936 or 37 with the NY Phil is a classic.

Seconded, heartily and exuberantly!




For me, this Beethoven 7th is to Beethoven's 7th what Furtwängler's Lucerne 9th is to Beethoven's 9th. A legendary recording, if ever there was one, and an account of the 7th enough to "cover me", and make any other 7th I've heard "supplemental". Is that enough, or shall I continue praising this recording, until you buy it?

Truth be told, this is an amazing recording of both symphonies, but I truly hold this 7th to be outstanding; superb; fantastic; magnificent; awesome; non-pareil! Just make sure you can tolerate the sound.


As an aside, the Carlos Kleiber 7th is also one I value greatly, in purely aesthetic terms, unlike his 5th (which I do like, but do not "value greatly"). Yet it doesn't even begin to approach the above Toscanini, in my view.

[uffeviking]

You should get a job as Pletnev's press agent. 

You gonna give him my address with your letter of recommendation? 

[George]

You gonna give him my address with your letter of recommendation? 

But of course. I'll cut and paste your posts on his behalf. After reading those, he'd be a fool not to hire you.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Kletzki...again...

[Bogey]

If you really need another, Toscanini 1936 or 37 with the NY Phil is a classic.

Seconded, heartily and exuberantly!




For me, this Beethoven 7th is to Beethoven's 7th what Furtwängler's Lucerne 9th is to Beethoven's 9th. A legendary recording, if ever there was one, and an account of the 7th enough to "cover me", and make any other 7th I've heard "supplemental". Is that enough, or shall I continue praising this recording, until you buy it?

Truth be told, this is an amazing recording of both symphonies, but I truly hold this 7th to be outstanding; superb; fantastic; magnificent; awesome; non-pareil! Just make sure you can tolerate the sound.


As an aside, the Carlos Kleiber 7th is also one I value greatly, in purely aesthetic terms, unlike his 5th (which I do like, but do not "value greatly"). Yet it doesn't even begin to approach the above Toscanini, in my view.

Is the Naxos the best transfer in your opinion?

[George]

Seconded, heartily and exuberantly!


As an aside, the Carlos Kleiber 7th is also one I value greatly, in purely aesthetic terms, unlike his 5th (which I do like, but do not "value greatly"). Yet it doesn't even begin to approach the above Toscanini, in my view.

A little hard to find, but MDT has it.

Bill, check PM?

[George]

Is the Naxos the best transfer in your opinion?

It was transferred by one of, if not THE best in the business, Mark Obert Thorn, so no need to hesitate there.

[springrite]

If you enjoy listening to different interpretations, then why not give Mikhail Pletnev a chance? It's different, believe me! The beginning reminds me a lot of the Carlos Kleiber performance, but then things get interesting! 

You mean, by contrast, with Kleiber it did not get interesting?