Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 8; Bach: Passacaglia & Fugue

On this CD:

1. Ruins of Athens, incidental music, Op. 113 Overture
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Pierre Monteux

2. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Pierre Monteux

3. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Pierre Monteux

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Andante con motto
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Scherzo - Allegro
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 C Minor: Finale - Allegro
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Menuetto, Allegro vivace Trio: un poco meno allegro
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 B Flat Major: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Marcia funebre. Adagio assai
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Scherzo-Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 E Flat Major, 'Eroica': Finale-Allegro molto
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace e con brio
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegretto scherzando
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Tempo di menuetto
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 F Major: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Andante molto mosso
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegretto
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Larghetto
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Scherzo Allegro
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Poco sostenuto - vivace
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Presto - Assai meno presto
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Andante cantabile con moto
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 C Major: Finale Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Molto vivace - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Adagio molto e cantabile - Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Presto - Allegro assai - Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven Collection.......2007-05-14

I just got this for my brother-in-law as a gift and he loves it!

Amazing!.......2007-01-24

Having Beethoven's Symphonies in one, very affordable, set is heaven! The recordings are clear and crisp. Each symphony is truly a masterpiece from the very soft tones of the woodwinds to the thundering sounds of horns. It is amazing to listen to certain passages of Beethoven and realize the genius and otherworldliness of his talent.

An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies........2007-01-11

The sound is excellent, and the musicianship and conducting is excellent.

Beethoven Collection.......2006-07-23

Beethoven is my favorite composer. No matter how upset or tired I am, his music calms me down, just like a big, gentle hug.
But the cheap CDs have poor quality. And the good ones are too expensive for me. When I found this collection, with such a good price on Amazon.com, I couldn't believe it. Shortly after I purchased it, I received it. The quality is great. I am enjoying it. Thank you

Hoda

Top music!.......2006-07-19

Everything else you can get over, but classical music like Beethoven is stuff you just can't get sick of. A whole collection of Beethoven's Symphonies for such a small price, Wow!. Classical music is so relaxing and peaceful that you can't go wrong with spending time chillin out to this pure classic. The symphonies are great but after this you've got to go get the sonata's etc and I guarantee you won't be dissapointed!

Think about it, they don't call it classical for nothing.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 "Pastorale"

Average customer rating:

best Beethoven 4th I know of
Beethoven 4th symphony
A charmed moment in Walter's late Beethoven
Bruno Walter's kindness shines through here.
excellent sixth!

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 6 "Pastorale"

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002A7Q
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: I. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: II. Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: III. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: IV. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': II. Szene am Bach. Andante molto moto
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': IV. Gewitter, Sturm. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastoral': V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefuhle nach dem Sturm. Allegretto

Amazon.com

Bruno Walter was always a most persuasive advocate of the gentler Beethoven--at least, that's what everyone thought until his stereo Beethoven cycle was remastered onto CD, revealing a much stronger musical profile than had been suspected. But that just made the cycle's best performances sound better still--and here they are, together on one midpriced CD! It's amazing that a man in his 80s, as Walter was when these performances were recorded, could take what was essentially a pickup orchestra and turn in performances of such power and authority. Walter and the Columbia Symphony had a genuine chemistry between them--they play these two symphonies as if they had been making music together for years. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Bruno Walter recorded the Beethoven symphonies in stereo for Columbia in 1958-59, taping No. 9 in New York and Nos. 1-8 in Los Angeles with orchestras of freelance and studio musicians who rose magnificently to the occasion. Walter was in his eighties, but that didn't stop him from grabbing these works by the throat; there is no mincing around, no effusive lingering over phrases, and no ponderous trudging either. The even-numbered symphonies are sunny and outgoing, full of the warmth the conductor exuded during his Indian-summer years in the studio. Yet the drama of the odd-numbered works is not slighted. Walter's account of the Fifth, for example, is an intensely expressive one in which lyricism and thrust are in perfect balance--an evocation of stormy Romanticism at its best. The recordings have held up extremely well; the sound on these 20-bit CDs is spacious yet detailed, with amazing presence and solidity. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

best Beethoven 4th I know of.......2007-05-13

This used to be paired with the 5th on Record.. probably the best of both. I love this 4th.

Beethoven 4th symphony.......2006-03-19

I was looking for the 4th specifically and happy with this recording. Entries are clear and tempos steady. Recommended

A charmed moment in Walter's late Beethoven.......2005-12-07

Both these recordings of the Beethoven Fourth and Sixth were made in Hollywood in 1958, the same time that Walter was turning in rather slack and unfocused readings of the other symphonies. Here he recovers some of the dash and intensity that marked his 1930s Pastorle with the Vienna Phil. The Columbia Sym. plays with energy and inflection, even though Walter's tempos are on the leisurely side.

As is generally acknowledged, he found magic in every movement of the Pastorale, which will surely stand as the best of the romantic versions of this symphony (far more charming than Bohm's often recommended but unsmiling recording on DG). The Fourth is in the same mode, with more incisiveness than his Eroica, Fifth, or Seventh. But Walter is somewhat less alert here; the result is another mellow performance of good if not superb quality.

Newcomers might suppose, hearing these performances, that the rest of Walter's Beethoven must be of equal stature. It's not, but we can be grateful for this charmed moment in his old age. Look to his Bruckner, Mozart, and Mahler for similar inspiration.

Bruno Walter's kindness shines through here........2005-08-16

Among the finest recordings of these famous symphonies, even after 45+ years since they were committed to tape. Bruno Walter did a terrific job of getting the Columbia Symphony Orchestra - many of them free lance musicians, studio musicians, and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic who were doing some work on the side - the play like a Viennese orchestra - very gemuchtlichkeit where it's called for. Bruno Walter's kindness shines through here; this is the loving, kind Beethoven, a reflection of the conductor and worlds apart from Reiner or Toscanini.

Tempos in both Symphonies 4 and 6 are slower in Allegro movements (I, III and IV for Symphony 4; I, III, IV and V for Symphony 6) than in Szell's recordings, for example, but slower tempos allow for better phrasing and articulation.

I am thankful Walter recorded these works in stereo when in his 80s. Sony Classical has done great service to music lovers everywhere by making this available.

excellent sixth!.......2004-02-13

You must have it. I mean, you cannot fulfill the world of the Beethoven's sixth without trying to listen to this performance. Here are gentle voices of birds. Also you can see water, trees with green leaves, and whatever you wish to see or hear when you think of nature.

Brono Walter recorded three versions of the symphony; with VPO in 1930s', the other orchestra in 1940s' and the performance in 1958 on this CD. In addition, this version alone is in stereo, the other two are in mono. Some say, however, the first one (with VPO) is the best, though it doesn't have good quality. I personally think you should have both; 1936 version and 1958 version.

As for the sixth, I also recommend Bohm with VPO. But in comparison in the last movement, Walter's is better, that's to say, Walter's performance on this CD is the best of all !

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Average customer rating:

I can name that tune in three notes
A Fabulous CD
Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!
Fun Sampler
Useful.

Idiot's Guide to Classical Music

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003FPT
Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

Adagio
Air on the G String: Air on the G String, Excerpt
Brandenburg Concerto: Third Movement, Excerpt
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Excerpt
Tocatta & Fugue: Excerpt
Adagio for Strings: Excerpt
Synphony No. 5: First Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9: Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Fse: Excerpt
Turkish March: Turkish March, Excerpt
Moonlight Sonata: Excerpt
Symphonie Fantastique: March Ot the Scaffold, Excerpt
Damnation of Faust: Excerpt
Carmen - Habanera: Habanera, Excerpt
Toreador Song [From Carmen]
Minuet: Minuet, Excerpt
Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dance No 17, Excerpt
Hungarian Dance No. 5: No 5, Excerpt
Lullaby: No 4, Lullaby, Excerpt
"Minute" Waltz: Excerpt
Grande Valse Brillante: Excerpt
Marche Fune: Marche Fune
Appalachian Spring: Excerpt
Fanfare for the Common Man: Excerpt
Clair de Lune: Excerpt
Prelude to the Afternoon: Excerpt
Lakm Flower Duet: Flower Duet, Excerpt
Symphony No. 9 "New World": Second Movement, "Going Home" Theme, ...
The Sorcerer's Apprentice: Excerpt
Pomp & Circumstance: Excerpt
El Amor Brujo
Pavane: Excerpt
Rhapsody in Blue: Excerpt
American in Paris: Excerpt
Funeral March of Marionette: Excerpt
Piano Concerto in a Minor: Excerpt
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Morning: Morning, Excerpt
Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus: Hallelujah Chorus, Excerpt
Water Music - Hornpipe: Hornpipe, Excerpt
Symphony No. 94 "Surprise": Second Movement, Excerpt
The Planets - Mars: Mars, Excerpt
Sabre Dance: Sabre Dance, Excerpt
Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba, Excerpt
Hungarian Rhapsody
Liebestraum No. 3: No 3, Excerpt
Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo: Intermezzo, Excerpt
Midsummer Night's Dream - Wedding March: Wedding March, Excerpt
Symphony No. 4 "Italian": Fourth Movement, Excerpt
Rondeau: No 1, Rondeau
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, Excerpt
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: First Movement, Excerpt
The Marriage of Figaro - Overture: Overture, Excerpt
Sonata in A - Rondo Alla Turca: Rondo Alla Turca, Excerpt
Symphony No. 40: First Movement, Excerpt
Night on Bald Mountain: Excerpt
Pictures at an Exhibition - Great Cave of Kiev: Great Gate of ...
Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Excerpt
Orpheus in Hades - Theme II: Excerpt (Theme)
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna: O Fortuna, Excerpt
Canon: Canon, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Montagues & Capulets: Montagues & Capulets, Excerpt
Lt. Kije's Wedding: Lt. Kije's Wedding, Excerpt
Turandot - Nessun Dorma: Nessun Dorma, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 2: Second Movement, Excerpt
Symphony No. 2: Third Movement, Opening, Excerpt
Rhapsody on a Theme: Variation 18, Excerpt
Bolero
Flight of the Bumblebee
Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio: Adagio, Excerpt
The Barber of Seville - Overture: Excerpt
The Barber of Sville - Largo Al Factotum: Largo Al Factotum, Excerpt
William Tell Overture - Theme II: Excerpt
Danse Macabre: Excerpt
Gymnope No. 1
Symphony N0. 8 "Unfinished": Excerpt
Ave Maria: Excerpt
Finlandia [Finale: Finale, Excerpt]
Valse Triste: No 1, Valse Triste, Excerpt
Stars & Stripes Forever: Excerpt
Semper Fidelis: Excerpt
Blue Danube Waltz: Excerpt
Tales from the Vienna Woods: Excerpt
Also Sprach Zarathustra: Fanfare, Excerpt
Firebird - Infernal Dance & Main Theme: Infernal Dance & Main ...
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers: Waltz of the Flowers, Excerpt
Swan Lake - Waltz: Waltz, Excerpt
Sleeping Beauty -: Waltz, Excerpt
Romeo & Juliet - Theme II: Theme LL, Excerpt
Piano Concerto No. 1 - Opening: Opening, Excerpt
1812 Overture - Finale: Finale, Excerpt
Fantasia on "Greensleeves": Excerpt
Alda - Grand March: Grand March, Excerpt
Il Trovatore - Anvil Chorus: Anvil Chorus, Excerpt
Requiem - Dies Irae: Dies Irae, Excerpt
Rigoletto - La Donna Mobile: La Donna Mobile, Excerpt
The Four Seasons "Spring" - Allegro: Allegro, Excerpt
The Four Season "Winter" - Largo: Largo, Excerpt
Lohengrin - Bridal Chorus: Bridal Chorus, Excerpt
Die WalkRide of the Valkyries: Ride of the Valkyries, Excerpt

Customer Reviews:

I can name that tune in three notes.......2005-02-19

My family likes to put this disc in on shuffle and play name that tune. I wish they made more discs like this, only with more obscure works.

A Fabulous CD.......2004-10-14

The Idiot's Guide to Calssical Music is an awesome Cd for those people who want to have a tiny sample of all the great classical compositions. Track 61 and 63 are my favorite.

Mega-Sampler! This really does have 99 tracks!.......2002-03-20

Yes, this CD really does have 99 tracks. How do they do it? Each is about a minuet long. Some are longer, some are shorter, but you get the micro-essential moments of the music.

If you like burning your own CDs, then this is a great source for intra-track fillers, along the lines of They Might Be Giants' "Apollo 18" album, which has all of those short tracks on the end. The idea is to put your CD player on shuffle, so the short tracks get mixed in with the bona fide songs. The result being a very unusual album.

The booklet gives an explanation of the track, where you heard it (i.e. the Warner Brother's Cartoons, or on famous films), and where you can get the full piece of music. So it's a mega sampler CD.

I can honestly say that this CD is a great gift for the friend who has everything.

Fun Sampler.......2001-11-09

For the beginner. You will be surprised at how many of the 99 themes you recognize here. It is an easy introduction to classical music. Nice booklet too.

Useful........1999-03-22

Take it for what it is, a clever and useful GUIDE to classical music. No, it is NOT an uncut rendition of Beethoven's 9th symphony. It IS a cd that will jog your memory. You have heard many of the tunes presented here, but not always knowing what the work was. This is your chance to catch up with all the great classical music you have been exposed to. Cheap too.

Liszt: Piano Transcriptions of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 (First Movement)

Average customer rating:

Non-believers may want to hesitate
SKIP THIS ONE, AND GET GOULD'S LISZT'S BEETHOVEN'S SIXTH INSTEAD...
One of the most pyramidal achievements of Mr Gould!
Does not compare to Cyprien Katsaris
Beethoven's Fifth for Piano Solo

Liszt: Piano Transcriptions of Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 (First Movement)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000028NV
Release Date: 1992-10-13

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: II. Andante con moto
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: III. Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68: Awakening Of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival In The Country: Allegro ma non troppo

Amazon.com

None of Liszt's ingenuous Beethoven symphony transcriptions had been recorded when Glenn Gould charted virgin territory in 1967 with the Fifth. Not only does Gould take Liszt's prodigious technical demands in stride, he also turns in what may be his best Beethoven playing on record. The pianist brings a kind of rhythmic acuity to the outer movements that makes many orchestral versions seem tame in comparison, even those with faster tempos. Gould's genius for sustaining tension at slow tempos is fully revealed in the second movement, in which each phrase is timed to a T. The first movement of the Pastorale flows more assuredly and accurately than in Gould's CBC Radio performance of the entire transcription. It's a pity Gould abandoned his plans to record the entire cycle. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Non-believers may want to hesitate.......2006-09-11

Arguing against Glenn Gould's eccentric choices of recording material is a guarantee of being scorched here at Amazon, but in all fairness, Beethoven's symphonies lose a great deal in piano transcription. The instrument cannot sustain a true legato, encompass orchestral power, mimic wooodwind and brass colors, etc. What we're left with when you erase all the orchestration is Gould's personal interpretation. I wondered if he would have brillinat or even just strange new ideas about the Fifth. He doesn't. this is basically a straightforward reading of the score, the way a conductor might play it at home to learn the work. For me, one listen was enough, but of course GG fans will strongly disagree.

SKIP THIS ONE, AND GET GOULD'S LISZT'S BEETHOVEN'S SIXTH INSTEAD..........2006-04-14

Gould's Liszt's Beethoven's Fifth is a strange realization. I've been a GG fan--and a Beethoven fan--for over 30 years; still, I can't say I really like this recording. Again, Gould sees the piece as a gestalt--which is a good thing. The first movement he plays like the early Beethoven sonatas. He expands the time scale of the second movement, which is also a good thing. However, in the third movement GG seems a little fussy to me: but I hasten to add that I think this is Liszt's fault: I think Liszt's transcription is quirky. The last movement has those tremolos which Gould termed, "the worst excesses of Aunt Sadie at the upright [!]." One might imagine an old silent film accompaniment with the villan tieing the heroine to the railroad tracks: it's bathos at it's worst: hilarious. But Gould is just following Liszt's score.

Another critic says the first movement of B's Sixth is better than the whole gestalt GG did for CBC: WRONG! Lookit: my whole hearted recommendation is that art lovers obtain the whole recording of GG's B's Sixth instead of this recording. It's listed on Amazon as Glenn Gould Edition: Beethoven/Liszt ASIN: B0000028NW. That is the realization to get.

One of the most pyramidal achievements of Mr Gould!.......2005-03-03

This record is simply a musical treasure. Glenn Gould made a glorious and breathtaking performance of this score, maintaining an expressive lyricism, and idiomatic approach about this hard to play transcription. Gould knew to express the inner tensions and the force of this quintessential Symphony. You won't miss the original version for whole orchestra.

A sublime masterwork which proved again the huge loss that meant for all the world the early vanishing of this giant keyboardist.

In memoriam: 1932-1982.

Does not compare to Cyprien Katsaris.......2004-05-09

I've heard several performances of Beethoven's Symphonies on piano. The performances by Cyprien Katsaris are far superior to Glenn Gould's. Katsaris closely follows the original score by Beethoven, takes the repeats, and plays at the proper tempo consistently. Gould hums, plays too slowly and never takes repeats.

Comparing the 5th Symphony between Gould and Katsaris, it's easy to hear vast differences. Throughout the symphony, Katsaris plays with passion, excitement and tension. He adds notes left out by Liszt (and Gould) and he takes the repeats (often playing them the "ossia"). The symphony is much more entertaining and accurately played by Katsaris. The final movement by Gould is slow and almost boring. While Katsaris performs it quickly and precisely.

Overall Katsaris adds notes for instruments Liszt left out for all 9 Symphonies and is much more accurate than any other performance I've ever heard. I highly recommend Cyprien Katsaris over anyone else for Beethoven's Symphonies.

Beethoven's Fifth for Piano Solo.......2002-01-19

This CD is top-rate. The recording quality is excellent. Some piano recordings can sound distant--not this one. You feel like you're standing next to the piano. Glenn Gould plays Beethoven's Fifth Symphony with flawless virtuosity, and he stays true to the symphony. The piano arrangement by Liszt captures the symphony's message, and you will want to turn up the volume and listen to every note. If you like Beethoven's Fifth and you like solo piano, this CD is a winner. Note that only the first movement of the Sixth Symphony is on this CD.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Great Beethoven Bargain Cycle
a fine combination of quality and value
THIS SET IS AN ABSOLUTE STEAL
Excellent
Pleasing overall...

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos; Choral Fantasy
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies
Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos

ASIN: B000001VWY
Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Marcia Funebre (Adagio Assail)
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Scherzo (Allegro Vivace)
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': Finale (Allegro Molto)
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Adagio Molto. Allegro Con Brio
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Andante cantabile con moto
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
Symphony No. 1 In C Major, Op. 21: Finale (Adagio, Allegro molto e vivace)

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Pocco sostenuto-vivace
Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Presto-Assai meno presto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major Op. 92: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Adagio molto-Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Larghetto
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Scherzo (Allergro)
Symphony No. 2 In D Major Op. 36: Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Andante con moto
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Adagio, Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: Allegro ma non troppo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': Awakening Of Happy Feelings On Arriving In The Country - Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': By The Brook - Andante molto mosso
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': Peasant's Merrymaking - Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': The Storm - Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, Op. 68 'Pastorale': Shephard's Song. Happy And Thankful Feelings After The Storm - Allegretto
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Allegro vivace e con brio
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Allegretto scherzando
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Tempo di menuetto
Symphony No. 8 In F Major Op. 93: Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Allegro ma non troppo un poco maestoso
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Molto vivace
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Adagio molto e cantabile
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 'Choral': Presto-Allegro assai

Amazon.com

This is a surprisingly fine Beethoven cycle. Herbert Kegel had a reputation as a modern music specialist, and with good reason: He was a certified East German communist intellectual who killed himself shortly after the Berlin Wall came down--perfect for the wilder excesses of the modern German school. But he also had a very idiomatic feel for Beethoven as these objective, tautly rhythmic, and excitingly played performances prove. At super budget price, this set is worth considering. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great Beethoven Bargain Cycle.......2007-06-20

The thrill of bargain hunting is finding a great value at a mere pittance. This results in left brain/right brain nirvana. I picked up the 10 CDs for about $10 and they sound great, especially Beethoven's 9th Symphony. They are also very well recorded including excellent db master line levels.

My other Beethoven Bargain Cycle is by Joseph Krips and the London Symphony Orchestra. I got the original LPs for $2.98 at Half Priced Books and they had a fancy CD Box Set in a Tin Box for sale last Christmas for $10. The Krips set has been around and in production since circa 1960 and I would give it the edge over Kegal's.

If you shop around you may be able to find a top notch set for $30 or less. I got the Karajan Berlin Phil 9 symphony cycle from circa 1961 on CD for und $18 including s/h thru Ebay and the early 70s Karl Bohm/ Vienna Phil on CD thru Amazon Marketplace (come in 3 separate 2 fer CD albums) for a little over $20.

The reason I bring these options up is that I recently did a side by side listening taste test. I cued up Beethoven's 5th by Bohm, Karajan, Kegal, and Carlos Kleiber. Kegal sounds OK if you just listen to Kegal. If you hear Kegal with these other performances side by side, Kegal is not at all in their league. Bohm and Karajan are two of the all time classic Beethoven Symphony cycles and Kleiber's Beethoven 5th is regarded by many as the best ever recorded. Kegal is fine as a bargain option, but there are other options available.

a fine combination of quality and value.......2005-12-29

This is a fine set of Beethoven symphonies, well played and recorded, except I think the recording level of the ninth is a bit lower than the rest of the symphonies (might just be my ears). You don't get fancy liner notes or fabulous photographs of the orchestral forces, but the performances are quite solid; the best being the opening of the fifth and the chorale finale of the ninth.

THIS SET IS AN ABSOLUTE STEAL.......2005-12-20

The performance of Symphony No. 5 in this set absolutely kicks serious butt- it's the most powerful, driven Fifth I've ever heard- worth the price of the whole set alone!!!! The rest of the CD's are excellent as well, but the Fifth in this set reigns supreme!

Excellent.......2005-09-26

This is an excellent series of recordings. The peak of which, of course, comes in the final CD with the 9th Symphony. The instruments are perfectly mixed so that one section doesn't outweigh another. The solosists are superior. The orchestra is crisp and precise. This is one of the best recordings of the nine symphonies out there. And it's a great value.

Pleasing overall..........2004-07-14

Beethoven's Symphonies are very popular among the classical community, and hence there are many versions and sets to choose from. This box set is wonderful for a classical lover who desires to obtain the complete symphonies, but can't afford to spend a hundred dollars in the process. This is by far not the best performance ever recorded by any means, but overall, it stays close to the music and is very traditional. So if you desire to gain a better appreciation for Beethoven's symphonies, but aren't willing or are unable to spend alot of money doing it, this is the perfect box set for you.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7; King Stephen Overture

Average customer rating:

These are two great recordings of fabulous works plus the King Stephen
Szell's Beethoven is for those who value precision over all else
forceful, lyrical performances
Excellent bargain
Szell's genius shines

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7; King Stephen Overture

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 2, Symphony No. 5
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Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6
Sym 9: Choral / Fidelio Ovtr - Essential Classics
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ASIN: B0000027UP
Release Date: 1992-06-02

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: I. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: II. Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: III. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major, Op. 60: IV. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: III. Presto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major, Op. 92: IV. Allegro con brio
Overture 'King Stephen', Op. 117: Andante con moto - Presto

Customer Reviews:

These are two great recordings of fabulous works plus the King Stephen.......2006-03-18

I still remember what it was like hearing Beethoven's seventh symphony the first time, and it was this recording. The last movement had accents that felt like hammer blows to me and those groaning basses and soaring horns were sounds I had never heard before. This was something I knew I wanted to pursue. Wow!

The fourth symphony (Opus 60 in B-flat major) is a magnificent work that I appreciate more each time I hear it. Not much is known about its composition except that it was done in the summer of 1806 and its writing interrupted the work on the fifth symphony in c-minor. It was first performed in March of 1807 along with his first three symphonies, a piano concerto, and others of his works during two concerts at a Prince L's house. The review noted that the works (not just the 4th symphony) were rich in ideas, boldly original, full of power, but many felt the ideas were not fully worked out because there were just so many ideas. This, the notice said, often created the effect of rough diamonds.

What I love most about the fourth symphony is its display of Beethoven's wonderful humor. He has the ability to put the right thing in the wrong place in ways that tickly, startle, make me laugh out loud, and settle back in complete amazement. In the hands of a great conductor this is a symphony that can astound without ever having to resort to big effects or bombast. The first movement has this long wandering opening that keeps one guessing and then takes off with brilliant ease. The second movement has one of Beethoven's most beautiful melodies that soon wanders into something more stout, sounds like it might take off, then might sing us the opening again, but never quite does.

The third movement is one of my favorite pieces of music when done right. This is real syncopation, not the fake kind where EVERYTHING is off the beat. This piece keeps moving us around so we think we know where we are, but he takes it away as soon as we think we have it. What joy we feel with this movement because its humor is so much fun. The fourth movement starts a like it perpetual motion piece, but doesn't deliver that either. Again, Beethoven is laughing and soon brings us a delightful tune that is contrasted with grinding bombast for and elbow in the ribs effect. Again, we get the fun of real syncopation. The minor mode was never so much fun as it in providing its over the top contrasting material here.

The seventh symphony (Opus 92 in A major) was premiered in 1813 to immediate success (though Beethoven had begun work on it in 1809) and has been a favorite with audiences ever since. It has so much brilliance and energy that you would have to be a corpse to not be lifted by it. Many have been so carried away as to ascribe their own "program" to the piece. One Dr. Iken claimed to hear the story of a revolution and laid out the drama. Beethoven was incensed at this and all other nonsense stories ascribed to his music. Wagner called this piece "The Apotheosis of Dance" and the music has actually been used in ballet.

The first movement is quite complex its contrasts. It is buoyant and even soars, but then has these quiet and moments of stillness that threaten to stop everything, but then off we go again. The second movement is another of my favorite works. It is a movement with a mournful sweetness that pulls of and exquisite beauty that I still find awe inspiring. Yes, it is clearly a dance, but its materials are so spare and unprepossessing that one cannot imagine the beauties that will emerge in this aching and yet sweet music. Once you hear the music and know the movement you still wonder at how he came up with the ideas for this piece. What else is like it?

The third movement starts with an energetic start from the orchestra supported by a gentle boot from the tympani. You can hear foreshadowings of the crazy scherzo from the ninth and you certainly can hear the groaning of the basses from the first movement in the low winds. Again, a movement of big contrasts and a lot of fun. The last movement starts with an explosion and just takes off from there. Turn up the volume and enjoy the way Beethoven keeps things going even when he pulls back a bit, and then adds more and more each time he crescendos. The energy becomes so intense one might feel frantic, but the music never loses control. That groaning bass figure becomes more prominent and the hammer blows forge the music into a sharper and stronger form.

Szell conducts these works with intelligence, understanding, and real with. I love these recordings. You may have other favorites and that is fine. I am not claiming these as the one and only. But I am claiming; WOW!

Do we really care about the King Stephen overture after hearing the seventh symphony? I don't.

Szell's Beethoven is for those who value precision over all else.......2005-08-19

Szell's recordings of the Beethoven Symphonies enjoyed wide circulation on Columbia, Epic, and later Odyssey LPs, and have been on CD since the late 1980s, and the current issue, the early 1990s, in differing couplings with other works. This should attest to their success, as they are played with great precision: not a note or phrase out of place, and there are no slack moments of ensemble. The Cleveland Orchestra plays so well, as one would expect: Szell's Beethoven is for those who value precision over all else.

Symphony 4 is a top recommendation. All movements are played at a sensible tempo, and there is never a sense of recklnessness, or that things are out of control. This recording was the first I heard of this work, and I became familiar with Beethoven Symphony 4 from this recording (Epic LP) in 1972. Symphony 7 may be considered less successful by some listeners, who value Bruno Walter (Sony), Karajan (DG, the 1962 or 1976 recordings, with the complete Beethoven Symphonies), or Bohm (DG) as authoritative in this piece. I for one like Szell's sensible tempos, and if the acoustics seem a little dry at times, one's mind is drawn to the great precision of the playing. The Cleveland horns are terrific, especially in movements I and IV. The KING STEPHEN Overture is well played, too, and the woodwind and horn fanfares in the closing coda really stir up a storm.

I would recommend this, but not as your only CD of these works.
I recommend supplementing these with Beethoven Symphony recordings by Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony (Sony, available individually), or Karl Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (DG, in 2 CD sets which sell for the price of one). You can't go wrong with Szell, and even less so with Szell + Bohm or Walter; it's a "WIN/WIN" situation from the start.

forceful, lyrical performances.......2003-05-27

the beethoven cycle recorded by george szell and the cleveland orchestra in the early 1960's is a miraculous and distinctive account of the symphonies and major orchestral overtures. it manages at the same time to be true to the spirit of beethoven yet immediately fresh and new when compared with almost any other performance available on disc.

szell raised the ensemble and technical control of the cleveland orchestra to an astonishing level, which allowed him many hair raising plunges through the music, for example in the last movements of the 5th and 7th symphonies. the orchestra could render the full dynamic range, and the strings -- for example in the first chords of the egmont overture -- were capable of the powerful, rich sonority we expect from a brass choir.

the real beauty in szell's interpretations is the orchestra's almost balletic sensitivity to rhythm and musical accent. these musicians don't just play the music as a dance, they express dancing as they play. it's a treat to be surprised by this irresistible, springing dance spirit in movements that are so often played as academic forms -- the disc of the 1st and 6th symphonies provides many happy moments. one regrets that there's no szell recording of beethoven's "creatures of prometheus" available.

i love these recordings. at a time when our culture relies on noise, speed, excess, vulgarity and lack of control to get our attention, it's a treat to hear beethoven that is sonorous, sprightly, forceful, lyrical and eloquent. and at a bargain price!

Excellent bargain.......2003-04-12

I had the entire cycle of Szell's Beethoven on LP when I was kid, so getting this CD was like getting re-acquainted with an old friend. Szell's command of the Cleveland Orchestra made it one of the top orchestras in the land during his tenure. (Cleveland!)

This CD has excellent performances of these symphonies. The tempi are (almost) all just right (except for the last movement of the 4th, which is a bit slow for my taste). Szell keeps the second movement of the 7th moving -- too many conceive of it as a dirge. He does the last movement of the 7th just right: it has so much energy that you feel like it's just on the edge of going out of control. The scherzi are also done well: the 4th is on the relaxed side, the 7th extremely fast. Throughout, there is usually just the right amount of rubato where it's required.

My only quibbles with this CD are very minor. The balance seems a bit heavy on the lower notes -- the cellos and basses are a bit too strong and muddy at times. An old friend of mine had a rule about judging a performance of the 4th: listen to the fast fortissimo entrance of the cellos and basses right near the end of the last movement. If it doesn't make the hair on the back of neck stand up, then seek another recording. Szell does OK here, but there are better. (E.g. Bernstein's 60's recording with the NY Phil -- the low strings just explode!)

So, if you don't have a copy of the 4th and/or want another copy of the popular 7th, you won't be disappointed with this choice.

Szell's genius shines.......2000-03-22

I was weaned on these recordings, so I will admit a bias for them. However, after hearing numerous recordings of the Seventh, I must still rank this one above the others. First of all, Szell's interpretations of Beethoven are legendary and seem to make the music as passionate and powerful as possible. Second, his orchestra at the time of these recordings was, simply put, the best on the planet. Unfortunately, in my listenings to all recordings of the Seventh, I have not yet heard an orchestra perfect the Siciliano rhythm of the First Movement (Ercih Leinsdorf reportedly sadi that he would not conduct this Symphony since an orchestra was incapable of performing this rhythm correctly) and this one is no different, with occasional spurts of correctness. My special passion for this performance comes in the Allegretto, where Szell was one of the first to adopt a tempo which does not drift the listener to sleep. As the entire Symphony was once dubbed "The Apothsosis of the Dance," this tempo is much more fitting than that of most rival recordings. Now out on a very affordable CD, this is still my recommendation for a Seventh, but with the Fourth and the Overture on the same disc, this should be in everyone's library.

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart: Piano & Violin Sonatas [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B00029CWZK
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Average customer rating:

Superficial And Disappointing From The Master Karajan
Karajan's great Seventh is as good as ever in digital sound
Moody contrast on one CD...
you're great, Karajan!
Simply the definitive recording of Beethoven's 7th

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 7

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"; Egmont Overture
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Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 "Pastoral"
Beethoven: Symphonie No. 9

ASIN: B000001GJO
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major: 1. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major: 2. Adagio
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major: 3. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Major: 4. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 7 In A Major: 1. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
Symphony No. 7 In A Major: 2. Allegretto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major: 3. Presto
Symphony No. 7 In A Major: 4. Allegro con brio

Customer Reviews:

Superficial And Disappointing From The Master Karajan.......2006-08-05

I am a big fan of Karajan, he's overall my favorite conductor, but just because I admire the man for many of his achievements, that feeling does not infect my objectivity and critical judgement. Here is a case in point, two symphonies from his last Beethoven cycle, the digital one from the 1980's.

There is a real element of slickness and emotional coolness about the whole affair. To be fair, the 4th symphony fairs quite well overall, the introduction to the opening movement doesn't have all that much mystery but really, how many conductors since Furtwangler even give large thought to the intricate mysteries that lie at the heart of Beethoven's symphonic output? After the intro, Karajan explodes into the allegro, very dramatic indeed and the whole movement is done with vigor and life. The adagio is a bit detached but it's nothing new from Karajan. The last two movements go by well even though I can't understand Karajan's continual insistence to drop the final movement's exposition repeat! Yes, in every cycle Karajan recorded, he dropped this rather innocuous repeat which is only 1:30 in length! Furtwangler was always wise to keep this last repeat intact. Both Karajan and Furtwangler dropped the first movement repeat and I respect their decision there, that was the fashion of the day.

Moving forward to the 7th symphony and you get your problems. This is the kind of superficial performance that Karajan's hateful critics attack him for and this time they are right! All the timings are basically the same as the earlier cycles from the 60's and 70's but this 7th from the 80's is comparatively lackluster when judged alongside the version from the 60s. Here are a few glaring examples. The allegretto opens up like slush, it is so smoothed over that you can't even hear the famous rhythm! The Penguin Guide went so far as mention this defect in their review as well. The allegretto in Karajan's hands was always lacking in emotional depth, every version he ever made was in the mold of Toscanini. I much prefer the love, depth and gravity a conductor like Furtwangler brought to this beloved symphonic movement. A recent fascinating 7th symphony by Christian Thielemann also took the Furtwangler approach of the slow tempo in the allegretto. I say to hell with the period instrument hacks and their glibness in this beautiful testament to Beethoven's art!

Onto the finale, the last disappointment here. Initially you might find the fast tempo and explosive attack very