Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

[Haffner]

I think what I hated about it was that the sound was very distant, like you had the cheapest seat in the hall. Perhaps that's why it was the cheapest version in the store. 

Hey, that's funny...I bought this on a compilation of full symphonies. The set had included a very good rendition of Profokiev's "Classical" (Mackerras I believe). The other two were a satisfactory rendition of Mendellssohn's "Classical" and a truly abominable "Surprise" Symphony.

[Haffner]

Well, if you made it all the way through to the last movement, then, apparently, it wasn't entirely insurmountable ........  

Remember the old joke:

Bertha:"The food here is horrible!"
Norbert: "Yes, and what small portions!"


That's twice this morning you brought a big smile to my face, D. That's two more than most people ever give me, so I am very grateful.

[karlhenning]

. . . a satisfactory rendition of Mendellssohn's "Classical" . . . .

I'm guessing you mean L'italiana . . . ?

[karlhenning]

D Minor the Bringer of Smiles

[karlhenning]

"There oughta be a planet!"

[George]

When I saw this one posted, I had never heard of it. So, like I usually do in that case, I checked my trusty guidebook: "3rd Ear for Classical." Though I certainly don't wish to start a quarrel, I feel it would be irresponsible of me to not report my findings.

Mehta leads a competent, nondescript performance that can be ignored; while getting great playing from his orchestra, they can't compete with the best.

In case your wondering, the reviewer's idea of "the best" are Bernstein's 2 recordings for DG, Abbado's on Sony, Leinsdorf on RCA, Reiner on RCA, Walter on Sony, Karajan '63 on DG, Stokowski on Decca, Kubelik on DG and Muti on Seraphim.     

[Haffner]

I'm guessing you mean L'italiana . . . ?

Thanks, Karl, my fingers ran off on me...


That performance couldn't even ride on the jovial splendor of the "Faerie Dance".

[BachQ]

In case your wondering, the reviewer's idea of "the best" are *** Leinsdorf on RCA ***

Tell that to Iago ........

[BachQ]

"3rd Ear for Classical."

I need this book.  Meanwhile, what are the recommendations for:

Missa Solemnis
Piano Sonata Cycle
PC's 4 and 5

Does anyone else have the book 3rd Ear for Classical?

[George]

I need this book.  Meanwhile, what are the recommendations for:

Missa Solemnis - Klemperer, Karajan, Toscanini, Bohm, Harnoncourt

Piano Sonata Cycle - Annie Fischer, Backhaus, Kempff (mono), Brendel (Vox), Arrau (1960s set), Goode, Nat and Kuerti.

PC's 4- Serkin, Schnabel, Gilels, E. Fischer, Haskil, Curzon, Rubinstein, Arrau, Katchen, Kempff (Van Kempen), Brendel, Backhaus, Pollini, Perahia

and 5 - Horowitz/Reiner, Serkin/Ormandy, Serkin/Bernstein, Schnabel, Rubinstein/Krips, E. Fischer, Gieseking/Rother, Michelangeli/Celibidache, Curzon/Knappertsbusch, Kovacevich/Davis, Kissin/Levine, Cliburn/Reiner, Katz, Hess, Kempff/Van Kempen, Perahia, Uchida, Arrau, Levin/Gardiner and Immerseel/Weil.   

[Dancing Divertimentian]

What do fellow GMGers think about this set? I think it's one of Karajan's best Beethoven cycle.

Well, at least Karajan has his hair positioned for maximum effect!

[karlhenning]

Well, at least Karajan has his hair positioned for maximum effect!

That is decidedly the Opus 67 'Do . . . .

[BachQ]

That is decidedly the Opus 67 'Do . . . .

It's just plain wrong to have an op. 67 hairdo for an op. 125 cover .......

[karlhenning]

HvK was a maverick pioneer in the mix-'n'-match genre . . . .

[Haffner]

It's just plain wrong to have an op. 67 hairdo for an op. 125 cover .......

Damn the blindness!!! Can't you see the heroic contemplation ?

[BachQ]

Did Mahler blunder when he reorchestrated LvB 9?  I haven't heard it ........

[BachQ]

LANG LANG ALERT ! ! !This is actually a good explanation of the slow movement of LvB's 4th Piano Concerto (ORCH = Gods of the Underworld; PIANO = Orpheus) ...... go to video box about 6 inches from top of page, and click on play, and jump to 2:40 ........

[Gurn Blanston]

Did Mahler blunder when he reorchestrated LvB 9?  I haven't heard it ........

Beyond question, he did. I have it on video by the Detroit Symphony / Jarvi. It is so overloaded instrument-wise that the beauty of the original is gone, leaving only a fat, steaming pile of notes on the stage... Tubas, d, friggin' tubas!   

[BachQ]

Beyond question, he did. I have it on video by the Detroit Symphony / Jarvi. It is so overloaded instrument-wise that the beauty of the original is gone, leaving only a fat, steaming pile of notes on the stage... Tubas, d, friggin' tubas!   

  So you loved it, then! 

[uffeviking]

Eroica a film about a symphony! Can it be done? I was wondering and now I know it's possible. BBC Classical Music Television did an outstanding job with making Beethoven's Eroica into a luscious film.

The real action is the playing of the symphony, one movement after the other, with a handfull of people adding interest and comments. It's all about Beethoven taking his latest work to a performance at the palace of Prince Lobkowitz in Vienna. The assembled orchestra gets the libretto, looks at it, mumbles and then starts playing, but only the first few notes because it's all  so different and bewildering. Now that's what I call sight-reading at it's extreme. Those musicians must have been outstanding. Beethoven does give some instructions and now and then conducts, but most of the time they have to rely on their concert master, who is played by a real life violinist of the Orchestra Révolutionnaire Romantique. Most of the members of the actor orchestra are members of John Eliot Gardiner's band. He does the real conducting.

Ian Hart does a great job acting the temperamental Beethoven and Tim Pigott-Smith of the old TV series The Jewel in the Crown plays a bad guy - again! - Count Dietrichstein, who doesn't think much of this new, confused piece of music. Yes, there is a pretty lady to take care of Ludwig's love interest but the Eroica is actually the star of the film. Very well done indeed!