Which conductor has recorded the BEST Beethoven Symphony Cycle?

Question

Don't tell me Leonard Bernstein, 'cause I've heard too much that his interpretations are lukewarm and standard-issue. Apparenly he was great in his day, but that era is over. So, our of Karajan (BPO, 1962 version), Szell (Cleveland Orchestra), Haitink (LSO) and Bruno Walter (Colombia Symphony Orchestra), which conductor gives Beethoven the best performance? PLEASE don't respond if you're just going to bash me for denouncing Bernstein. I like his Mahler, but he's apparently out of his depth here.

Answer 1

There is another version you might listen to.

The Riccardo Muti/ Philadelphia Orchestra boxed set. The orchestra played from the most authentic modern parts available. Those great players under a conductor with a precise ear and baton technique mean that you will find more correct notes than in other recordings. The care taken by Muti in these recordings makes them my choice.

One persons opinion -:)

Answer 2

It's not an easy answer. Like Malcolm I always find more fulfillment in collecting individual performances. For 1st choice recordings of the Beethoven symphonies I would search under Erich Kleiber,Otto Klemperer,Carlos Kleiber,Wilhelm Furtwangler,Bruno Walter. These are amongst my favourite interpreters up to now. I've only got two complete box sets. The 1st is Karajans 1962 set with the Berlin Philharmonic. One of the first recordings I ever purchased many years ago. Except for the hard driven 6th I can't fault it. I think it generally regarded as the finest of his several complete cycles simply for its power,energy and vigor. I think the 5th and 9th especially stand out. Though I understand he exceeded this Ninth with his late 70s recording. My 2nd set is Nikholas Harnoncourt with the English Chamber Orchestra. I was immediately captivated by it. A modern performance that really benefits from the period instrument work this conductor has engaged in. Details and textures are more transparent than Karajan's especially in the 1st & 8th Symphonies but works like the C minor 5th symphony still have the necessary weight and fire. I'm not a music expert just an avid enthusiast so sorry I can't be more specific.

Answer 3

Your speakers and your personal preference will determine which conductor has the Best Beethoven Cycle. If you have speaker software with echo capability, it is a matter of choice and taste after that. I like higher pitches, rich, deep bass and blaring, modern sound with Beethoven and that is hard to find. Most play his work too lightly, or try too hard with orchestras that just aren't big enough to do the job right anyway. Start with Herbert Von Karajan first, then work your way out from there. With good echo sound on your speakers, you might eventually discover that some of the unknown, bargain cycles like the Radio Symphony Orchestra Llubliana under Anton Nanut are a whole lot better than you thought. Herbert Blomstedt and the Staatskapelle Dresden actually recorded probably the best 9th Symphony performance I have heard to date. You need good speakers with some echo capability to get the best out of Beethoven. If you're really looking for a place to start however, start with Karajan.

Answer 4

Best Beethoven Symphony Cycle

Answer 5

I disagree with you about Bernstein, although I won't tout his cycle as the best. He certainly had a knack for bringing out an orchestra's power. His renditions of the Eroica and the 7th are the best I've heard. Both Kleibers and Von Karajan had the hubris to disregard Beethoven's repeat in the 4th movement of the 5th, so, regardless of the performance's other merits, that' s a deal-breaker. They (like most other conductors) also took too many liberties with the tempi in the 9th. Bernstein did, too, and inexplicably cut a few measures from the 2nd movement. Szell, equally inexplicably, inserts about a one-beat pause into the 4th movement of the 5th Symphony.

The thing is, each conductor who recorded the cycle has merits and flaws, which is why I choose the best performance for each particular symphony. I tend to be rather picky, too. I've yet to hear a recording of the 5th that completely satisfied me. The greatest music requires the highest standards.

R.C. Barrows
Composer-In-Residence
Culver Chamber Music Series
My Music: www.famesource.com/RCBarrows

Answer 6

The trouble is, there is NO best version. Many cycles have great strengths and insights and individuals' personal preferences will always play a part in the choice they make. I bet you any money you couldn't find any two people who would agree on their top 5 versions of Beethoven symphonies.

I agree with you about Bernstain not being a natural choice for Beethoven but I could never accuse any of his interpretations and being lukewarm.

Some versions of the Beethoven symphonies which are very highly regarded include (in no particular order):

Berlin Philharmonic/Herbert von Karajan (1960s series)
London Symphony Orchestra/Bernard Haitink
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra/David Zinman (personally, I find this too fiddly and lightweight)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Philharmonia/Sir Charles Mackerras

Two versions I particularly like:
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/André Cluytens (late 1950s)
Cleveland Orchestra/Christoph von Dohnanyi

In addition to these, there is a classic version of Beethoven 5 and 7 one should always consider by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Carlos Kleiber.

Basically, however, you need to make your own choice about the version which suits you and what YOU want to get from the Beethoven symphonies.

Answer 7

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This is a difficult one and if you ar to have only one set of the symphonies, then I would advise to assemble a set of the best performances of each symphony, rather that buy the complete cycle from one ensemble / conductor. The best version of the fifth and seventh are Carlos Kleibers with the Vienna Phil (and possibly his live recording of the Fourth with the Bayerische Staatsorchester as well). The Ninth is also highly competitive with several recordings that are truly wonderful. If you have to pick one complete set then either Von Karajans with the Berlin or George Szell with the Cleveland are obviuous choices. Bruno Walter's version with the Columbia Symphony is also highly regarded. Finally if you go with the "original instrument" route either Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music or John Eliott Gardiner and the Orchestre Revolutionaire et Ronantique are great choices.

Answer 8

I am just going to bash you for not including, in your extensive and reasonable review, the Toscanini / NBC cycle. His way of dealing with Beethoven starts out from the assumption that he was extremely clear in his writing and all that was left to do was acting exactly the way he indicated; only, simultaneously, with the same strength, with the same speed, without messing up and with a homogeneous color. Many think that, given such an assumption, Toscanini was The One. Others do not share the view: take the beginning of 9th, the tremolo of the strings. Toscanini requires all the 16th's played together, Furtwaengler would tell violinists to listen to the neighbor and play either 8th's or 32th's, just not what the other was playing. In fact, listening to Toscanini, he left the concert saying 'bloody metronome'. With all my respect, I would not put Haitink and Walter at the same level and the Karajan 1977 BPO is to me superior.
As to Bernstein, I had a chance to listen to his Leonora n.3 live with WPO in the late seventies and am still quivering; but I already bashed you ....

Answer 9

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RE:
Which conductor has recorded the BEST Beethoven Symphony Cycle?
Don't tell me Leonard Bernstein, 'cause I've heard too much that his interpretations are lukewarm and standard-issue. Apparenly he was great in his day, but that era is over. So, our of Karajan (BPO, 1962 version), Szell (Cleveland Orchestra), Haitink (LSO) and Bruno Walter (Colombia...

Answer 10

Herbert von Karajan (recorded in 1962, released in 1963) ; Format: Original recording reissued; Label: Deutsche Grammophon 1963; ASIN: B000001GBQ hands down -- is the best. Listen to Symphony #7, Poco Sostenuto - Vivace and Allegro Con Brio as an example. The violins zing and race. He has them hopping with precision. Compare that with the mushier sound on the Szell (Cleveland Orchestra) or the slower tempo on the Klemperer. You didn't mention Klemperer but he is considered to have recorded one of the most highly regarded cycles as well. But I prefer the energy of Karajan.