Post by Owen Y on Mar 18, 2019 10:12:06 GMT 12
Michael Fremer acknowledges that he is no Classical expert, but in his latest Analog Planet video he offers his experience on the subject of box sets of the Beethoven Symphonies, from his collection. Including his 'go-to' Beethoven box, which he got his parents to buy for him for his university Music Appreciation' course! Of this '62-63 DG set & a later 1977 DG set, both conducted by Herbert v Karajan 17 years apart, Penguin says: " Just as the cycle of 1962 established standards which were hard for any rival to match, let alone outshine, so the 1977 cycle, different on emphasis on certain symphonies, is if anything more satisfying, thanks largely to richer, fuller and more immediate sound. " Fremer includes his usual sidetracks & anecdotes in his usual NYC style.
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 18, 2019 10:23:08 GMT 12
The Beethoven Symphonies of course have been discussed here earlier & any of the sets by conductors of the 'golden era' (60s-70s) should be satisfying. Fremer also shows a recent 'one point mic' recorded Simon Rattle set - which we discussed here last year.
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 18, 2019 17:12:12 GMT 12
The bottom set here is the '62 Beethoven set that Fremer shows - this one is a NZ manuf copy.
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Pundit
Post by belbo on Apr 19, 2019 6:50:03 GMT 12
In case it hasn’t been discussed I can not recommend enough Furtwangler, especially his live recordings are outstanding. A big contrast vs Karajan who is a bit clinical.
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Post by Owen Y on Apr 22, 2019 11:40:17 GMT 12
I've been playing a bit of each of these over the weekend & yes, the 1962 v Karajan (1st Mvt) is somewhat 'relentless', in its 'drive', speed maybe. The 1950 Furtwangler rendition has beauty, development, 'poetry' if you like.
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Post by Citroen on Apr 22, 2019 17:58:26 GMT 12
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Post by Citroen on Apr 22, 2019 18:33:39 GMT 12
And is this one from the 77 release?
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Post by Citroen on Aug 18, 2019 18:59:52 GMT 12
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 18, 2019 21:07:06 GMT 12
These were live recordings but with the VPO & well thought of by Penguin, you should be tempted. Having just attended NZSO Beethoven 4 & 5 last night, I’m torn & will have to give it serious thought
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Post by Citroen on Aug 18, 2019 22:42:03 GMT 12
I had no hesitation in ordering one. Even thought about getting a spare... How was the concert? I'd consider the 8th & 9th but I see its sold out.
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 19, 2019 9:37:28 GMT 12
Yes my wife was keen on the 9th too, but with late planning, we could only get into the 4th & 5th - will put up a quick separate post.
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Post by Citroen on Aug 26, 2019 18:19:47 GMT 12
Arrived today. Will fire up the 9th later on
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Post by Citroen on Aug 27, 2019 15:36:43 GMT 12
My goto 9th is Fricsay, with the Berlin Philharmonic.
I must say that this Bernstein 9th certainly gives it a good run for the money. Very impressed, as its also much better recorded than my Fricsay.
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Post by Graham on Aug 27, 2019 15:52:54 GMT 12
I have the 1977 DG boxed set that I scored from an op shop ! In perfect condition and sounding superb .
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Post by Citroen on Aug 27, 2019 15:58:56 GMT 12
Oh, would love to have that set! Or his 1963 version. How much do you want for it?
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Post by Graham on Aug 27, 2019 16:03:54 GMT 12
Oh, would love to have that set! Or his 1963 version. How much do you want for it? Sorry, not for sale
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Post by Citroen on Aug 27, 2019 16:04:56 GMT 12
Fair enough!
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 27, 2019 17:05:37 GMT 12
I have that set myself (too many sets I know, for one person's lifetime ) & it's interesting comparing the earlier vs the later DG recordings. Jury still out.
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Aug 28, 2019 9:07:13 GMT 12
Got these two, very good condition.That's the good thing with 2nd hand classical records,hardly used.
Try again.
Sorry ,can't remember how to post the actual photo here!!
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Post by Citroen on Aug 28, 2019 9:18:03 GMT 12
Just copy the BBCode(Forums) link instead of the actual imgur link neilsan
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 28, 2019 12:08:39 GMT 12
neilsan - copy/paste the imgur BB code link. Jochum's LSO-Beethoven 6th Pastoral is especially highly thought of IIRC.
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Aug 29, 2019 9:40:10 GMT 12
Thanks Owen.
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Post by Citroen on Sept 4, 2019 17:16:30 GMT 12
Dug out my 2008 digitally remastered EMI reissue of Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra, 1953 to 56. Some fine performances from a youthful Karajan. OK, some of the recording quality isn't that great (although some is), and its in mono but the vitality and spirit still shines through.
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Post by Citroen on Sept 5, 2019 15:27:30 GMT 12
The Pastoral is delightful!
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Post by sub on Sept 8, 2019 18:04:32 GMT 12
I have two Karajan box sets. One is the 1962 nz pressing, SLPM.138801-08, referred to above by Owen, and the other, seemingly a reissue of the 1962 set pressed in Germany in 1975 - 2721 0553. The booklets in each set is near identical, except the first one is a little more elaborately set out.
The 1962 set must have been originally mono, but my set has an after production sticker proclaiming “Stereo”, and the labels of each lp clearly state Stereophonic Recording.
The nz pressing is made by Delta Trading Co Ltd, Wellington. I wonder who they were, and whether they had their own pressing plant, or used the same press everyone else in nz used (or was there more than one?)
The 1975 set I have had for some time - a $2 op shop score, and plays well with near silent surfaces. Cleaned the 1962 set today on my US cleaner - another op shop score for $3 - the albums look unplayed - they have come up looking very fresh and clean, but the box is scuffed with a slightly bent corner. They certainly used better quality vinyl in those days - they would be described as a 180gm special issue today, but standard then! Will be having a listen over the next few weeks, except I cleaned 21 LPs today so there are are few records competing for play time!
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Post by sub on Sept 9, 2019 13:25:36 GMT 12
Beethoven symphonies
As well as the two boxed sets as per last post, I also have several individual recordings -
#9 I have Karajan, DGG 2707 013, seems to be a 62 recording same as the box set. Karajan, DGG 2535 349, 1979 - looks like a reissue from the 1977 series. Solti, Decca 6BB 121/2 Munch, Boston SO, RCA CCV 5021 Jochum, London SO, featuring Te Kanawa, Angel SAN 9103/4, 1979 Mitzelfelt, L.A. Camerata SO, 4th movement only, limited edition/direct to disc, M&K Real-time Records, RT112
Of these, I prefer the Solti award winning release on Decca. The M&K issue is interesting- definitely an audiophile treat.
#1&2 Karajan, Berlin Philharmoniker, DGG 138801,1966 - same as the 1962 box set.
#5 Issersteldt, Vienna Philharmonic, Decca JB5, 1969 Munch, Boston S.O., HMV ALP 1415, can’t find a date, the style of cover indicates 1950s?
Thought I had more of the 5 than this! The. Munch issue is very good, but dated recording techniques, while the other is a lovely, warmish rendering.
#6 Pastoral
Jochum, London SO, EMI WI 9220, 1973 Boult, London Philharmonic, EMI ASD 3456, 1978.
Hard to pick between these two. The Boult is typically lyrical and the Jochum captures the emotion nicely.
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Post by Owen Y on Sept 9, 2019 17:09:33 GMT 12
sub - That's all good info. This is getting to be a useful B'hoven Symphonies database. Now I'd like someone to do the Piano Concertoes & then the Late Quartets
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Post by Citroen on Sept 10, 2019 15:02:52 GMT 12
Classic Furtwangler, taking arguably the best recordings available, albeit in mono. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Elsa Cavelti, Ernst Haefliger, Otto Edelmann Berliner Philharmoniker (3,5,6,7,8) Wiener Philharmoniker (1,2,4) Festwochenchor Luzern (9) Philharmonia Orchestra (9) Wilhelm Furtwängler Andromeda (1944-54/2011 Remastered Edition)
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Pundit
Post by belbo on Sept 12, 2019 3:32:15 GMT 12
Niceeee. The Furtwängler wartime Berliner are a m a z i n g in my opinion, out of this world, despite the terrible sound. His interpretation was recently attacked by the New Yorker, very unfairly as Furtwangler was never a Nazi, on the contrary. It's a poetic, fluid, dynamic interpretation more emotional in a way. The only modern conductor that I have found is following a similar path is the very underrated Gunter Wand: Classic Furtwangler, taking arguably the best recordings available, albeit in mono. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Elsa Cavelti, Ernst Haefliger, Otto Edelmann Berliner Philharmoniker (3,5,6,7,8) Wiener Philharmoniker (1,2,4) Festwochenchor Luzern (9) Philharmonia Orchestra (9) Wilhelm Furtwängler Andromeda (1944-54/2011 Remastered Edition)
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Post by sub on Sept 24, 2019 15:31:13 GMT 12
Classic Furtwangler, taking arguably the best recordings available, albeit in mono. Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Elsa Cavelti, Ernst Haefliger, Otto Edelmann Berliner Philharmoniker (3,5,6,7,8) Wiener Philharmoniker (1,2,4) Festwochenchor Luzern (9) Philharmonia Orchestra (9) Wilhelm Furtwängler Andromeda (1944-54/2011 Remastered Edition) Wet, miserable day, so been lurking on TM. Found this cd set listed by Deep Discount, $25.93 including delivery. So, with all the above discussion about Furtwangler, just had to buy it!
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