The Top Ten, er, Nine List!

[Florestan]

Top tens are always a superb way to get peole's sap rising.

Unfortunately I am woefully ignorant of Beethoven's symphonies so I am not qualified to comment.

[Kuhlau]

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony sprawling? Only when conducted by Barenboim.

(No, wait, that's his take on the Third Symphony. I've never wanted a work to end so badly. Barenboim duly obliges - though not without first making a meal of the first three movements.)

FK

[micrologus]

My favorite is ... N° 3 followed by N° 6
I have them all conducted by Herbert von Karajan

[Kuhlau]

Originally Posted by micrologus

I have them all conducted by Herbert von Karajan

From which of his four recorded cycles? I have the 50s, 60s and 70s cycles, but not yet his final 80s traversal.

FK

[micrologus]

Originally Posted by Kuhlau

From which of his four recorded cycles? I have the 50s, 60s and 70s cycles, but not yet his final 80s traversal.

FK

I have only the 70s cycles.

[Kuhlau]

A good cycle, perhaps my slight preference over the much-praised 60s outing. The 70s set has a smoother, more cohesive feel to it - a tad less visceral than the 60s recordings, but with more bloom, particularly in the strings.

Have you noticed the cut Karajan makes in the Sixth Symphony? Right before the 'storm' sequence, there's normally a repeat. Karajan's excising of this makes perfect sense to me - it adds greater urgency and drama. Some, however, disagree.

FK

[micrologus]

Originally Posted by Kuhlau

A good cycle, perhaps my slight preference over the much-praised 60s outing. The 70s set has a smoother, more cohesive feel to it - a tad less visceral than the 60s recordings, but with more bloom, particularly in the strings.

Have you noticed the cut Karajan makes in the Sixth Symphony? Right before the 'storm' sequence, there's normally a repeat. Karajan's excising of this makes perfect sense to me - it adds greater urgency and drama. Some, however, disagree.

FK

I don't think there is someone who can do better than Karajan with the music of Beethoven.

[Kuhlau]

Well, I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of Karajan's approach to Beethoven as a whole, but certainly, he brings a zest to the symphonies.

FK

[Alpha Centauri]

In order:

1st: Number 1
2nd: Number 2

All others from Bar #05 of Number 3 onwards can be discussed in the "Romantic" section

[haydnguy]

Originally Posted by micrologus

My favorite is ... N° 3 followed by N° 6
I have them all conducted by Herbert von Karajan

Nice!