Beethoven Symphonies Cycle: Which is your #1 pick?

[Number Six]

Exactly. Over different periods of time, I've listened to practically all the sets mentioned in the thread; I liked many of them. However, I find it very strange to latch onto just one of them and consider it the best for all time. It feels unnatural, though understandable if the sets are purchased and one either regrets spending the money or doesn't have the means for more than one or two sets. Thankfully, streaming has happily freed us from this unnecessary self-limitation.

My thing is that there is always a new set out there I have not heard yet, so how can I choose a favorite? So many acclaimed ones I have not even gotten to hear.

Even among new stuff, there's always something. Ivan Fischer seems currently to be working his way through, having recently released an "Eroica" following a few others (5 and 7, I want to say, if not more). 

[André]

I'm not a fan of a uniform approach in all the symphonies. Beethoven's language evolved a lot between 1790 and 1825, and musical instruments underwent substantial improvements as well. The whole musical scene was in a state of flux.  It's highly unlikely that conducting style and playing were not affected by all these changes. IMO a cycle should reflect this, with a clear sense of each work pushing boundaries ever further.

I like this one best:



The orchestra mixes PI (brass and timpani) with MI. De Vriend conducts with great flair: it is tight without being tense, energetic without brusqueness. The period brass and timps add rawness and impact while the modern strings have heft and brilliance. A good second choice in Nagano's Montreal set. It has the same qualities as De Vriend's, but a slightly more classical approach, with peerless playing.

I would supplement those with Savall's 2nd recording of the Eroica and Christoph Spering's 9th. Competition in the 3rd comes from Monteux' Concertgebouw version and, in the Pastoral, Böhm with the WP. I don't see the need for big orchestra in most of the symphonies.

[Spotted Horses]

My thing is that there is always a new set out there I have not heard yet, so how can I choose a favorite? So many acclaimed ones I have not even gotten to hear.

Even among new stuff, there's always something. Ivan Fischer seems currently to be working his way through, having recently released an "Eroica" following a few others (5 and 7, I want to say, if not more).

I love Ivan Fischer, so I'm interested. (I had to check to make sure it is Ivan that I love, not Adam Fischer, who I loathe).

I also have fond memories of the Barenboim/Staatskappel Berlin set, which was billed as Furtwangler-esq when it was released.



Like AnotherSpin, I usually enjoy whatever Beethoven Symphony recording I am listening to, with infrequent exceptions.

[AnotherSpin]

[..]

Like AnotherSpin, I usually enjoy whatever Beethoven Symphony recording I am listening to, with infrequent exceptions.

However, not quite like you I often prefer Adam over Ivan

[Spotted Horses]

However, not quite like you I often prefer Adam over Ivan

In my case, I don't listen to Beethoven Symphonies that often. In my younger days my listening was so focused on these works that I am too familiar with them to listen very often. It explains why I only have a few sets, compared with Beethoven's String Quartets.

[Karl Henning]

In my case, I don't listen to Beethoven Symphonies that often. In my younger days my listening was so focused on these works that I am too familiar with them to listen very often. It explains why I only have a few sets, compared with Beethoven's String Quartets.

Yes to all this. For the undergrad Music Major, Beethoven's nine are core repertory to learn (basically music with which any literate musician must be familiar.)

[Brian]

I also have fond memories of the Barenboim/Staatskappel Berlin set, which was billed as Furtwangler-esq when it was released.

This is another proof that energy does not = speed, because the sheer horsepower of the orchestra and Barenboim's rhythmic sharpness mean that it feels high voltage at slower tempos, compared to others who may feel more checked-out at faster ones.

[Daverz]

Nielsen symphonies from Los Angeles

San Francisco.  Unless you're thinking of Salonen?

[prémont]

San Francisco.  Unless you're thinking of Salonen?

No, you are right, my mistake - a senior moment, I meant Blomstedt, San Francisco.

[prémont]

@Daverz, I own a Nielsen symphony set with Salonen conducting the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, but I don't know if he recorded Nielsen in Los Angeles.

[Daverz]

@Daverz, I own a Nielsen symphony set with Salonen conducting the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, but I don't know if he recorded Nielsen in Los Angeles.

Ah, right you are, I always associate him with Los Angeles.  Even the Violin Concerto with Lin is with the Philharmonia. 

In fact, the only Nielsen symphony recording from Los Angeles that I can recall is No. 4 with Mehta.

Getting back to Beethoven, I listened to Symphony No. 1 recorded by Mackerras/Scottish CO, Paavo Jarvi, and Dausgaard, in that order, and I preferred them in reverse order.  I was probably just getting warmed up.

[hopefullytrusting]

When it comes to Beethoven symphonies, I only look once place these days: Hermann Scherchen.

[Number Six]

When it comes to Beethoven symphonies, I only look once place these days: Hermann Scherchen.

You know that's not a real name – – quit making things up

[Spotted Horses]

I hope I don't get kicked off the board for saying this, I still like Karajan/BPO, all three. 

[Spotted Horses]

When it comes to Beethoven symphonies, I only look once place these days: Hermann Scherchen.

I will have to look at those. For some reason Scherchen and Schuricht are cross wired in my brain, and I thought you were referring to Schuricht's Paris Conservatoire cycle.

P.S., glad your hiatus from GMG wasn't too long.

[brewski]

I like Karajan's cycles, too, especially the one from the 1960s. But for a more recent take, the set with Vänskä and Minnesota is pretty great.



-Bruce

[André]

I hope I don't get kicked off the board for saying this, I still like Karajan/BPO, all three. 

Where is the tar and feathers supply ?

Just joking ! 

[foxandpeng]

I like Karajan's cycles, too, especially the one from the 1960s. But for a more recent take, the set with Vänskä and Minnesota is pretty great.



-Bruce

I don't have a great deal of experience with Beethoven symphony cycles, but this is fantastic - both in sound quality and the way they are played.

[hopefullytrusting]

I will have to look at those. For some reason Scherchen and Schuricht are cross wired in my brain, and I thought you were referring to Schuricht's Paris Conservatoire cycle.

P.S., glad your hiatus from GMG wasn't too long.

For me, once I found Scherchen it was like Beethoven finally made sense to me, and I've found that holds true even beyond the symphonic works (Scherchen's complete Egmont is easily, in my opinion, the best of its kind, and one of the best classical recordings ever).

Thanks, it was just long enough. :-)

[AnotherSpin]

For me, once I found Scherchen it was like Beethoven finally made sense to me, and I've found that holds true even beyond the symphonic works (Scherchen's complete Egmont is easily, in my opinion, the best of its kind, and one of the best classical recordings ever).

Thanks, it was just long enough. :-)

Beethoven by Hermann Scherchen is captivating! I just listened to the Eroica in two releases (by Westminster and Andromeda). That said, I wouldn't limit myself to just Scherchen. Any, even the most stunning performance, is merely a step toward an ideal, which, fortunately, we will never hear.