Zenith 93 [Import]

1. Y'a Pas De Doute

2. L'irreparable

3. Toi Et Moi

4. Toute Seule

5. Temps Est Assassin

6. Seras Tu La

7. Mariavah

8. Tout Est Casse Tout Est M

9. Bahia

10. Delices D'hollywood

11. Panne De Coeur

12. Bernard's Song

13. Rien Que De L'eau

14. On M'attend La Bas

15. Vancouver

Zenith 93,Veronique Sanson,Wea,World Music

Average customer rating: I didn't realize how many good songs they did 311 Hits Compilation Perfect...Almost... Enjoyable, if of course you like 311 like I do! An "unbalanced" compilation Fun, relaxing, smooth, cool...everything you could want out of a 311 album.

Greatest Hits '93-'03 311 Manufacturer: Volcano ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rap Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Metal | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Don't Tread On Me 311 Sublime Make Yourself 40 Oz. to Freedom ASIN: B00024I2YU Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. Down
2. Flowing
3. All Mixed Up
4. Amber
5. Come Original
6. Beautiful Disaster
7. Creatures (For A While)
8. Do You Right
9. I'll Be Here Awhile
10. You Wouldn't Believe
11. Transistor
12. Don't Stay Home
13. Homebrew
14. Beyond The Gray Sky
15. Love Song
16. How Do You Feel?
17. First Straw

Customer Reviews:

I didn't realize how many good songs they did.......2007-05-19

their was a fair amount of filler, but 5 or so really good songs.

311 Hits Compilation Perfect...Almost..........2007-04-15

311 is closing in on the 20 year mark of being a band, and for any band that continues to prove successful beyond it's 10th year is an amazing feat. 311 has lately been slummed by critics and some fans alike, but the latter day 311 is just as good as the early day 311, although the early 311 had just a little more funk thrown into it. Now, it comes as no surprise that a greatest hits compilation would surface, and so it has with Greatest Hits '93-'03. While this compilation showcases a lot of good 311 songs, I would have easily put 4 or 5 more songs on this compilation to make a little more close to what it should have been if it were only a single disc greatest hits.

First off the pros to this compilation: you have the hits ranging from the aggressive breakthrough single "Down" to the breezy tropical "Amber", one of the most beautiful songs written by 311. In between you have all the heavy rockers ("Creatures", "Flowing", "Transistor", "Homebrew" to name a few) and you have some of the more melodic moments ("All Mixed Up", "First Straw", "Beyond The Gray Sky"). While a lot of good material was included here, there are a few songs I would have included on this compilation that, in my opinion, would have made it better. "Freeze Time" was a huge rocker from Soundsystem that could have been included here; "Purpose" is a little Carribean sounding with a heavy chorus thrown in the mix; "Feels So Good" from music should have had just as much right to be on here as "Do You Right"; "What Was I Thinking" was a minor radio hit (I remember hearing it on WAAF's real rock 20 peaking at no. 17); and lastly, "Applied Science" should have been on here as it's a staple of 311's many concert shows.

So there you have it. While not the most perfect greatest hits package to come around this century, curious people wondering about 311 would do fine to pick up this compilation for a sampler of 311. Those who want more out of this should pick up 311's other albums and make their own compilation (which I did) and rock out. But by no means a failure, this is a good introduction into the world of the Omaha, Nebraska quintet.

Enjoyable, if of course you like 311 like I do!.......2007-03-14

311 are one of my favorite bands, but their funky rock approaches was hit and miss over the years. Still, this greatest hits CD is about as good as it can be. Considering that 1993-2003 was a window of time in which the rock, pop, rap and metal music market went through a lot of changes, 311 still tried to stick to a formula that worked.

Their music was energetic and often had a party antics type theme to it. From the songs "Down" "All mixed up" "Transistor" and "Love Song", this album is truly a collective song list that features their strongest efforts. I loved the lesser-known music they had over the years that the MTV generation may have missed, but this one is great because you get all the hits and then some. I always liked this band because they were not depressing or hateful in their songs, they made fun music!!

An "unbalanced" compilation.......2007-02-11

I gave this 4 stars for a reason...and that reason is that this greatest hits album is "unbalanced," meaning it has too much of one type of song and not enough of another type. "Greatest Hits: '93-'03" is riddled with slow, soft songs, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but they do get old after a while. They're good songs, don't get me wrong, but I was hoping for more heavy and semi-heavy songs too.

Amber is a good slowed-down song to put on this compilation, no doubt about it. It sounds awesome. Amber is on the "From Chaos" album. And so was "Champagne." But Champagne was also an awesome slow song. So I ask, why wasn't Champagne on the Greatest Hits? Why wasn't it a hit at all? Instead we have "I'll Be Here Awhile" and "Wouldn't You Believe"...they aren't bad songs, but they aren't great either. Put it this way, I won't remember 311 for those two songs; when I wanna remember "slow songs on From Chaos", my mind will immediately think of Amber and Champagne. Also, the song "From Chaos" should have been included on here as well. I know it wasn't even a single, but it was still an awesome song, I think...

Another gripe--only one grassroots song? That was their best album...and all the producers could do is put one song on the greatest hits album? What about Lucky, 8:16 A.M., Applied Science, Silver, Lose, Six, or 1,2,3? Aren't they all good songs too? I'm sure at least one of those could have been on this collection...

For the most part, the Blue Album's hits have been covered pretty nicely, my only change would have been to take off Don't Stay Home and replace it with Jackolantern's Weather. That's a great song...But here comes the compilation's biggest flaw: Soundsystem, Transistor, and Evolver. The hits from these albums all sound similar to each other, sometimes I can't even tell the difference without looking at the song name on my iPod. Come Original, Transistor, Beautiful Disaster, Creatures, Beyond the Gray Sky, and Flowing are all decent songs, but I think other songs would have been better in their place.

The song, Do You Right, I think is an awesome song. Nothing else to say about that. Lastly, three other tracks not featured on studio albums have spots in the greatest hits--First Straw, Love Song, and How Do You Feel. How Do You Feel is an awesome track. Love Song is pretty good. First Straw is not so good. I guess it all boils down to opinion.

In conclusion, the album does get boring at times because of similar-sounding songs. It needed more heavy or medium songs in it. In my opinion, a good solution to this problem would have been to make 2 greatest hits albums: one for early 311, and one for later 311. Music, Grassroots, and the Blue Album could all be housed under the first compilation while Soundsystem, Transistor, From Chaos, and Evolver could be on the 2nd one. But that's just me.

Fun, relaxing, smooth, cool...everything you could want out of a 311 album........2007-01-15

Not much to be said about this compelation, aside from it being one of the greatest ones I have in my library!

Average customer rating: Toscanini's last Beethoven cycle -- a unique, bargain glimpse of the performing rite i can't take it anymore Classic circa 1950 Beethoven Symphony Cycle Beethoven's symphonies Great Historical Collection

Ludwig van Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies - Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony Orchestra Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer) , Arturo Toscanini (Conductor) , and NBC Symphony Orchestra Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Toscanini, Arturo | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Toscanini, Arturo | ( T ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Brahms: The Four Symphonies Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Capriccio Espagnol; Russian Easter Overture Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos The Verdi Recordings ASIN: B0000CNTLU Release Date: 2003-12-09

Customer Reviews:

Toscanini's last Beethoven cycle -- a unique, bargain glimpse of the performing rite.......2007-06-30

This set's insighful and irresistable, especially at the 'Amazon' price. 5 stars from me!

Imagine being able to hear works played by musicians with direct links to performers who've remembered what the composer wanted in performance of his/her works during his/her lifetime. Such opportunities arise through listening to recordings made by maestros like Arturo Toscanini (born 1867, began orchestra conducting 1886) whose musicianship -- not just in terms of scholarship and technical powers -- take us to a view of the contemporary Beethoven performing rite that seems to have dimmed with successive generations. Not that every Toscanini performance of a work is the same -- indeed there's noticeable evolution -- but his basic underlying approach remained sufficiently consistent for it to be captured in recordings, like this set, made quite late in his career (it ended in mid-1954, he died early 1957).

This Beethoven cycle is ADD mono and may not be any sonic improvement over either RCA's "74321", or "GD", series CDs of the same cycle; and it's unlikely to be sonically better than the superb LP transfers in the 100-disc set released (in the late 1970s) by RCA Japan (n.l.a.). But if you don't already own this latest RCA CD package, then, at the 'Amazon' price, it'll be an indispensible part of your Beethoven cycle experience.

The NBC Symphony is in great form (Toscanini reportedly said it didn't really become a top symphony orchestra until around its 1950 continental US tour and these discs are from that period) and the recorded sound, for the most part (say except for the Seventh's last movement) captures the dynamics and unique, chrystaline fabric of the Toscanini orchestral sound.

There's apparently some confusion over whether the set's 'Eroica' is the 1949 "studio" or 1953 "live" (broadcast) performance, but the insert-booklet's per-movement timings indicate it's the 1953 one (which is broader and differently inflected compared to the '49, and some earlier, Toscanini Eroicas; the 1949 one is included in RCA's "GD" CD series). Anyhow, this kind of issue is more for discographers than those out on a journey of important musical discovery.

Buy this set, especially at the price, the performances shouldn't fail to stimulate and inspire!

Some suggested references:-

'The Toscanini Legacy' by Spike Hughes (pub. 'Dover')
'Toscanini and the Art of Conducting' by Robert C. Marsh (pub. 'Collier Books') (in UK, titled 'Toscanini and the Art of Orchestral Performance' (pub. 'Allen & Unwin'))
'Arturo Toscanini - The NBC Years' by Mortimer H. Frank (pub. 'Amadeus Press').

i can't take it anymore.......2007-06-02

i'm tired of aficionado's bashing toscanini around while praising furtwangler as the ultimate interpreter of beethoven. just as an average "uneducated" listener is likely to praise karajan, an average "uneducated" aficionado is likely to praise furtwangler as the only viable option of beethoven performance.
which is just utterly not true!
don't get me wrong - i love furtwangler. he is one of the conductors i revere most, and i DO think that his beethoven is rarely surpassed. but there are a million ways to perform a piece! and most likely than not, this is not a matter of the cliched "subjective vs. objective" argument that most people put forward.
to argue that beethoven would not have conducted his music a la toscanini is absurd. very presumptious, of you ask me. actually, comparing beethoven's metronome markings with furtwangler's and tostanini's recordings, toscanini actually is closer to the norm. furtwangler actually disregards a lot of beethoven's instructions regarding tempi, phrasing, development, dynamics, etc.
many people, including me, would argue that furtwangler is not disregarding beethoven's intentions at all. beethoven's intention when, for instance, composing the first movement of the eroica, was not, as toscanini has said, "allegro con brio." it was the expression of beauty, the expression of the human soul. beethoven might've heard in his head the movement much faster than is usually performed. but music that occures in the mind and in the physical is significantly different (think of printing - the blue on your computer screen doesn't really turn out to be the blue you want when you print it out!). if furtwangler's performances best achieve this end (which i do believe they do), he has serviced beethoven immensly.
but who is to judge that furtwangler expressed what beethoven intended? perhaps beethoven intended a different kind of beauty? a different kind of soul? and this is why people who love music often have more than one record of the same music.
toscanini was a supreme maestro in his own right. he might not have the ability to direct a mind towards musical epiphany like furtwangler, or to steadily provoke the mind and heart to a state of climax like klemperer, but he does have a supreme sense of orchestral control. no one makes tuttis sound like tuttis as toscanini. he also has an insuperable talent of conveying musical excitement: not even erich kleiber, who in my opinion had one of the most powerful rhythmical senses amongst all the great conductors, can imbue a performance with as much explosive propulsion.
i must admit that i was also infected with the "toscanini-hate" for a while, particularly because sergiu celibidache, absolutely one of the greatest conductors, derided him as being a "note-factory." compared with celibidache or furtwangler, toscanini is a note factory. but this is merely because he prefers a more "absolute music" approach. to him, music is not an emotional, or spiritual language. it is just music. what the audience feels from the music is because of the innate quality of the notes themselves, not because the conductor tries to express them. one might say that people who prefer the first chords of the fifth symphony to be blatantly like "fate knocking on the door" would be disappointed by toscanini. but in a sense, such expectations are naive. to some performers and listeners, fate knocking on the door does not have to take on the gothic melodrama that most modern performances aim to achieve.
surely, there are sets out there that please me more - and this is not a collection of toscanini's best performances. there is a particularly noteworthy seventh on naxos coupled with an equally compelling fifth. this collection, however, serves as a worthy exponent of the virtues of toscanin's art.
for catharsis, look to furtwangler. for a sense of musical consummation, look to klemperer. elegance and liveliness, to erich kleiber. rough-edged and fiery, hawk-eyed execution, to schuricht. weingartner, walter, carlos kleiber, bohm, scherchen, and kempe also provide heartwrenching accounts. amongst the HIP performers, only gardiner had me convinced. actually, toscanini wouldn't be on top of my list of favorite beethoven conductors. but for others, he surely is, and it is more than a proper position.

Classic circa 1950 Beethoven Symphony Cycle.......2007-05-30

Toscanini was born in 1867, the same year as my great grandfather. According to RCA, his first gig as a conductor was in 1886! These recordings were made at Carnegie Hall between November 1949 and November 1952 except symphonies 4 & 5 which were taken from NBC broadcasts.

After seeing a great performance of Verdi's La Traviata, I bought Toscanini's rendition of the preludes from this opera. This was in 1978. Toscanini's music were on budget lps at the time. And being in college, I was on a budget. I have several of his budget lps plus this Beethoven Symphony cycle on the RCA plum dog label from the 1950s that I bought used. I have always enjoyed the performances and have always had misgivings about the at best AM radio like fidelity of the recordings.

I recently listened to Toscanini's Brahms Symphonies at Rhapsody and the remastering has almost brought the sonics into the space age. WOW! The Beethoven symphonies too are at Rhapsody. They sound pretty good, but far from the great Analog of the late 50s to when digital kicked in circa 1980. When the music intensifies, it seems to my ear to start to distort a little and get a little shrill. Kinda like a movie theater where you can enter and egress with abandon as long as no one yells "Fire!!"

If we look at the fidelity coming from the 1930s and 40s, all complaints would be dropped and instead our astonishment would be given at just how great they sound. For historical recordings, they do sound GREAT. I enjoyed listening again to them.

Toscanini has gone from being the best thing since sliced bread to being regarded as an out of favor commissar who is now commissaring in outer Siberia. By listening to these recordings I would hope that your perspective will improve and that you would realize that Toscanini was a pretty good conductor, who brought great classical music to the masses, who had wide influence that is still felt thru his understudies, and that he was not the boogie man!

Beethoven's symphonies.......2007-05-12

When the master conducts the master, you will get nothing but a superb rendition of excellent musice. A must for classics lovers

Great Historical Collection.......2007-05-07

Any collection of all nine Beethoven symphonies is likely to have some great recordings and some not-so-great ones, and this collection is no exception. On balance, however, if you appreciate the Toscanini style (generally fast paced), this group ranks very close to the 1963 Karajan with the Berlin SO and right there with Walter and the Columbia SO. Plus, this is the most economical way to get Toscanini's recordings of the third, seventh and ninth, so the others are a "bonus."

Average customer rating: Great Performance Great Analog Beethoven Cycle An essential collection The best value in classical music on CD at the moment... Wonderful Performances

Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet Mozart:The Complete Piano Sonatas and Variations Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas / Daniel Barenboim Dvorák: The Symphonies Furtwangler Conducts Beethoven - Beethoven: symphonies no 3,4,5, & 9, Leonore ASIN: B00004YA0S Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Andante Cantabile Con Moto
3. III: Menuetto & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace
4. IV: Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace
5. I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
6. II: Andante Molto Mosso
7. III: Allegro - In Tempo D'allegro - Tempo I
8. IV: Allegro
9. V: Allegretto

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Marcia Funebre: Adagio Assai
3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro Vivace
4. IV: Finale: Allegro Molto - Poco Andante - Presto
5. Gross Fuge

Tracks:

1. I: Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Larghetto
3. III: Scherzo & Trio: Allegro
4. IV: Allegro Molto
5. I: Allegro Con Brio
6. II: Andante Con Moto - Piu Mosso - Tempo I
7. III: Allegro -
8. IV: Allegro - Presto

Tracks:

1. I: Adagio - Allegro Vivace
2. II: Adagio
3. III: Menuetto: Allegro Vivace - Trio: Un Poco Meno Allegro
4. IV: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
5. I: Poco Sostenuto - Vivace
6. II: Allegretto
7. III: Presto - Assai Meno Presto
8. IV: Allegro Con Brio

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Vivace Con Brio
2. II: Allegretto Scherzando
3. III: Tempo Di Menuetto
4. IV: Allegro Vivace
5. Overture
6. Overture
7. Overture
8. Overture

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso - Christa Ludwig
2. II: Molto Vivace - Presto - Christa Ludwig
3. III: Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato - Christa Ludwig
4. IV: Presto - Recitativo - Allegro Assai - Alla Marcia - Christa Ludwig
5. Overture - Christa Ludwig

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Largo
3. III: Rondo: Allegro Scherzando
4. I: Allegro Con Brio
5. II: Adagio
6. III: Rondo: Molto Allegro

Tracks:

1. I: Allegro Con Brio
2. II: Largo
3. III: Rondo: Allegro
4. I: Allegro Moderato
5. II: Andante Con Moto
6. III: Rondo: Vivace

Tracks:

1. Fantasia For Piano, Chorus And Orchestra
2. I: Allegro
3. II: Adagio Un Poco Mosso -
4. III: Rondo: Allegro

Amazon.com essential recording

Otto Klemperer's Beethoven is one of the towering achievements in the history of recordings. By today's standards, these performances are hopelessly old-fashioned: dark, heavy, and frequently very slow. But they are also the grandest, most unsentimental, most purposeful versions in the catalog. In addition, the relatively slow tempos (only in the fast movements--the slow ones are pretty swift) and forward wind balance permit more detail to be heard than in most original-instrument performances. At budget price and with the entire piano concerto cycle thrown in for good measure, this is greatness incarnate. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Great Performance.......2007-07-07

There are many different ways to perform Beethoven and each one is valid.
If you like it fast - go to Toscanini or Norrington. If you prefer slow, powerful and majestic, this is your set. Towards the end of his distinguished career, the great Otto Klemperer set down his final views of the performance of these symphonnies. The set is a coherent whole and will give great pleasure for ever. The challenging mix of the young Barenboim and the aged Klemperer worked surprisingly well and thus the concertos may also be recommended. There are odd additional items which add to the pleasure. Finally do not forget to purchase his memorable set of 'Fidelio' to complete your traversal of a great conductor giving great performances of a composer that he loved. Finally the price is ridiculously low and provides quality and quantity at a great price. Thus you should be able to buy the opera set from the savings made!

Great Analog Beethoven Cycle.......2007-05-07

This Klemperer cycle is just one of a dozen or so GREAT analog Beethoven symphony cycles that were recorded during Analog's golden age starting about 1958. These cycles are easily a match for digital and they should still be around for another 1,000 years, if the Lord tarries. These sets include: Karajan (twice, early 60s and late 70s) Bohm, Krips, Jochum, Bruno Walter, Leinsdorf, Rene Leibowitz, Szell, Ormandy, Bernstein, Steinberg, and Solti. This morning I listened to the Klemperer recordings of Beethoven's symphonies 5, 6, & 7. Very enjoyable, I got my Beethoven RDA fix.

Of all these Analog sets, I most enjoy the Leibowitz Spring 1961 cycle with the Royal Philharmonic. I have this cycle on an audiophile early 90s European import Edition Phoenix label special pressing "on extra virgin vinyl." These are by far the best analog symphonic lps I have ever heard from a recording standpoint. BY FAR! And they will rock your house.

You can almost justify Karajan's 4 recorded Beethoven cycles and one video based upon improvements in recording technology. Thru Rhapsody, I have listened to his mid 50s cycle and the orchestra sounds great, but the recording quality is sub par compared to Analog's golden age. So the rational for 4 cycles would be, (1) recent great improvements in recording technology (early 60s), (2) it has been 15 years and he has grown as an artist (late 70s), (3) we now have digital! Let's do one of the first Beethoven digital cycles (80s).

Klemperer is a no-brainer. I do not have to think twice about plopping one of his lps onto my turntable or hitting the play button at Rhapsody. When the music starts, the listening pleasure begins. Don't miss his Bruckner symphony recordings!

An essential collection.......2007-04-25

How best to describe Otto Klemperer's perspective on Beethoven's symphonies: grand, heroic, intense, insightful, stubborn, obstinate, detailed, dramatic, monumental, granitic, deeply emotional, never sentimental. This boxed set of the complete symphonies and concerti embodies all of these elements as stands as one of the great achievements of recorded music.

These performances were recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra at its peak, in the sumptuous acoustics of Kingsway Hall in London and in fine and detailed sound, and mostly in the mid-1950's during one of the brief charmed periods of Klemperer's life. EMI's impresario Walter Legge had made him permanent conductor of the Philharmonia, and when Klemperer embarked on this project in his 70's, he was in relatively good mental and physical health (Klemperer could show symptoms of manic depression and survived many health crises - brain tumor, broken bones, paralysis - which would have stopped most people).

By this time Klemperer had slowed the tempi of the fast movements of the Beethoven symphonies (listen to his early 1950's recordings of the 5th and 6th on Vox to hear by how much). This tendency is more pronounced in these studio recordings than in the live performances which were recorded during that era. The slowness is mostly saved by Klemperer's use of "sprung" rhythms, which keep the slow tempi from feeling laggardly.

Klemperer's earliest recordings in this series - symphonies 3, 5 and 7 - predate stereo and were recorded in excellent monaural sound. He rerecorded all three of these symphonies in stereo, but those recordings were made after he burned himself by falling asleep while smoking in bed. All three performances feature slower tempi than the earlier ones (whether this was the conductor's preference or the result of physical incapacity is open to conjecture). In particular, the rerecorded 7th suffered from lax phrasing, inattentiveness and perverse tempi. That is NOT the version contained in this set: fortunately, EMI had simultaneously recorded the earlier version of the 7th in "experimental" stereo, and it is that earlier version which is released here (and in remarkably good stereo). The versions of the 3rd and 5th are the rerecorded stereo ones.

You will find no finer studio versions of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th or 8th. All are insightful, beautifully detailed and powerful. The 2nd clearly looks forward to the 3rd and not back toward Hayden, the 4th is boisterous and vital, the 6th bucolic and sumptuous (not a quality normally associated with Klemperer), the 7th gains in drama what it loses in swiftness and lightness, and in the 8th in particular we see the conductor's empathy to Beethoven's sense of humor. Klemperer had a deep affinity for the "Eroica", and the rerecorded version here, while slower than the 1955 recording, was dubbed by "High Fidelity"'s Harris Goldsmith (no Klemperer fan, he) as "the best Eroica going slow" and is a monumental masterpiece (the second movement is shattering). The 1st, while leisurely, is a lovingly crafted.

That leaves the 5th and 9th. There is no doubt in my mind that the earlier, mono 5th is superior to the remake in this set. We lose that sense of an inevitable onslaught, especially in the outer movements. And the 9th, while similar in conception to the live versions recorded around the same time (on Testament with the Philharmonia and on Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw), suffers from diffuse sound and occasional lack of focus. I emphasize that these recordings of both symphonies are still head and shoulders above most of the competition; we're talking about different levels of greatness here.

Are there superior Klemperer recordings of these symphonies? Yes; but all are live, and despite the relatively good reprocessed sound, they don't reveal the same level of detail that these studio recordings do. Klemperer was a very different conductor in front of an audience, and there is more vitality and drama in the live versions of the 3rd (Testament, with the Danish Symphony), 6th 7th and 8th (Music&Arts with the Concertgebouw) and the 9th (see above). Music&Arts' set of the complete symphonies, recorded live in Vienna in 1960, is long out of print and had cramped sound with poor detail - a supplement to this set, not a replacement.

As to the piano concerti: they are better than one might expect. Barenboim, although steeped in the Germanic performance tradition, is more naturally aligned with the Furtwangler and Edwin Fischer than with Klemperer. However, the two of them actually work together extremely well and this is a fine, insightful set.

Any complete cycle of Beethoven, symphonies or concerti, will have drawbacks. There will be unevenness in the performances, as there are here. But there are advantages to hearing one musician's perspective on the works, especially when (as here) the performer has depth of understanding, integrity of vision, and a structural understanding of the pieces.

The digital remastering is excellent and the sound barely shows its age. This may not be your only complete set of Beethoven's symphonies, but it should be one of them. And at a price this low, it's a bargain too.

The best value in classical music on CD at the moment..........2007-01-02

What is the best value in classical discs available today ? Who knows, but I defy anyone to beat the EMI compilation of Klemperer' recordings of the complete Beethoven Symphonies, Piano Concertos (with Barenboim), several overtures the Choral Fantasia etc etc. 9 discs for only $44 ( well that was the price I paid). You have got to be kidding... I only had two concerns with buying this. First on the age of the recordings, all more than 40 years old. No worry at all. This is a masterpiece of reconstruction. The sound quality indistinguishable from any modern recording. Secondly , the performances themselves. I had been warned that Klemperer notoriously chose rather slow tempi. Again I needn't have worried. I immediately went to the slow movements of the 2nd piano concerto and the fourth symphony, where many slow tempists have in the past come unstuck. The piano concerto was an absolute revelation. The combination of the youthful Barenboim and the Philharmonia's masterful playing time and gain had me on the edge of my seat. " Yes,go on, well...." Slow it may have been. Boring, never. The same applies in spades to the slow movement of the fourth. Right from the eerie opening, which is yes, very slow indeed, I knew this movement would be a revelation and I can honestly say I have never hear it better played. Follow this with a scherzo bounding in energy and thumping finale and you will never get a better performance of this, one of Beethoven's "lesser" symphonies. And I haven't even got round to the "biggies" yet! The box set looks unattractive and the portrait of Klemperer makes him appear a first class nerd. Pay absolutely no attention to this....

Wonderful Performances.......2006-04-07

I have admittedly not made it through the entire set as of yet, but feel sufficiently blown away by the First Symphony and the Eroica - particularly the second movement of the latter - to weigh in here. With respect to the tempo issue, I must - at least so far - argue in favor of Klemperer's decision to slow things down a bit. I think the effect is, as someone else has observed, a clearer and more visceral experience of Beethoven's composition. It brings out the feeling. The sound comes up a little short on the low end, but it isn't a major distraction. My only problem lies in EMI's inexplicable lack of any discussion of the performances. The notes are bland, dry descriptions of the pieces themselves, with some basic history thrown in. Given the fact that there are probably hundreds of different CDs of Beethoven's symphonies out there, all with similar explanatory notes, it is infuriating that nothing is said about these particular performances. This is in contrast with the EMI Bach set (with Yehudi Menuhin) in which there is a wonderful essay that discusses Menuhin's work in historical context.

Average customer rating: terrific Get what you pay for. Wonderful! If only the Amazon discography was as good... One of the best Vivaldi CDs on the market

25 Vivaldi Favorites Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Vivaldi | Vivaldi, Antonio | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piccolo | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Concertos | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Concertos | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: 25 Mozart Favorites 25 Bach Favorites 25 Tchaikovsky Favorites 25 Beethoven Favorites 25 Handel Favorites ASIN: B00000IPS5 Release Date: 1999-12-13

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro - Antonio Vivaldi
2. I. Allegro - Paul Grund
3. I. Allergro - I Musici di Zagreb
4. II. Largo - Edward Carroll
5. III. Alegro - Gli Accadmici di Milano
6. Et In Terra Pax - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
7. II. Adagio Molto - Susanne Lautenbacher
8. I. Allegro - Musici Di San Marco
9. II. Largo - Musici Di San Marco
10. III. Allegro - Melvin Berman
11. II. Largo - Anton Stingl
12. I. Allegro - Alois Sprach
13. II. Adagio - Susanne Lautenbacher
14. Stabat Mater Dolorosa (Opening Movement) - Margarethe Bence
15. III. Allegro - I Musici di Zagreb
16. II. Largo - Gunter Lemmen
17. III. Allegro - Hans-Martin Linde
18. III. Allegro - Susanne Lautenbacher
19. I. Allegro - Musici Di San Marco
20. III. Allegro - Susanne Lautenbacher
21. I. Allegro - Musici Di San Marco
22. II. Larghetto - I Musici di Zagreb
23. Chamber Concerto In G Minor For Recorder And Oboe - Baroque Trio Of Montreal
24. Opening Movement From 'Gloria' - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
25. Concerto In C For 2 Trumpets, PV 75: III Allegro - Edward Carroll

Customer Reviews:

terrific.......2006-04-23

Vivaldi 25 favourites is marvelous ,it has been digitally enhanced and is certainly a keeper.Really am pleased with anything i have purchased from Amazon

Get what you pay for........2005-10-15

This CD is decent but does NOT sweep you off your feet into a soaring concert hall with your heart beating loudly and your breaths coming in faster. Why? I think its the quality of the recording and the caliber of the musicians maybe? But hey, $4.98 does not buy much more than a fast food meal- so no harm done! Happy Listening!
-Rupa

Wonderful!.......2004-11-26

I couldn't believe the wonderful, pure sounds that came from this low-priced CD. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it!!

If only the Amazon discography was as good..........2004-02-14

The majority of the musical selections is undeniably fine. If only the track listing (s) were accurate or agreed with each other and the actual selections as they are ordered on the CD!

One of the best Vivaldi CDs on the market.......2003-01-24

I don't know how SPJ Music Inc., based in the world-famous town of Hauppaage, NY, manages to do it, but they have released at least 24 of these "25 XXXX Favorites" CDs, and all those that I have heard are superb collections. OK, many of the performances on this album are by ensembles that few will have heard of in North America, such as the Wurttemburg Chamber Orchestra, Musica di San Marco, and I Musici di Zagreb, and maybe they are a bit old (no recording dates are given), so SPJ probably doesn't have to pay much in the way of royalties. But this collection of works by Vivaldi is truly second to none.

Wait till you hear track 6, "Et in terra Pax from 'Gloria', by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, for instance, or track 14, from Stabat Mater Dolorosa, sung by Margarethe Bence with the Alto Pro Music Orchestra of Stuttgart. We are transported into the heights of the etherial world of sacred music, right up into the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, yet with that unmistakable touch of Vivaldi, who could be both consumately sacred and masterfully secular as he wished -- or even both at the same time. As has been proven again and again in the 20th century, Vivaldi was one of the greatest composers in history, and every classical music lover should have this CD in his or her collection.

I have a lot of Vivaldi recordings by period music ensembles like the virtuosic Il Giardino Armonico (who recorded the two best DVDs of Vivaldi works in existence, one with Cecilia Bartoli) and the somewhat more conservative Europa Gallante, led by Fabio Biondi. Then there are CDs by individual masters like Andrea Marcon (with the Venice Baroque Orchestra) and the immortal Nigel Kennedy (with the English Chamber Orchestra). Older classics re-released on CD include recordings by the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Orchestra of the 18th Century, and the Romero family (Los Romeros). And the list goes on and on. All are superb recordings that have given me hours of pleasure.

But this "bargain" CD rates right up there with the best of them, and I highly recommend it both for those who are just beginning to discover the wonders of Vivaldi's music and for "hardened" veterans. If it had been issued as a full price CD it might have had trouble getting known in such a crowded and competitive field, but it would have deserved every bit as much praise as I have given it here. As a collection of superb performances of many of Vivaldi's greatest masterpieces by a wide variety of different ensembles, it even has something to commend it over recordings by a single artist or a single ensemble. Buy it and enjoy!

Average customer rating: It's gotta be 5 stars because its Frank Black, but overall I hate best of's Best of the Best

'93-'03 Frank Black Manufacturer: Cooking Vinyl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Christmass Icky Thump Unbreakable: A Retrospective 1990-2006 Beyond Era Vulgaris ASIN: B000OV15I6 Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Los Angeles
2. Ten Percenter
3. Czar
4. Old Black Dawning
5. (I Want To Live On an) Abstract Plain
6. Calistan
7. Speedy Marie
8. Headache
9. Freedom Rock
10. Men In Black
11. You Ain't Me
12. I Don't Want To Hurt You (Every Single Time)
13. All My Ghosts
14. I Gotta Move
15. Bad Harmony
16. Western Star
17. Robert Onion
18. Hermaphroditos
19. Velvety
20. California Bound
21. Massif Centrale
22. Manitoba
23. Threshold Apprehension

Tracks:

1. Deadman's Curve
2. Raiderman
3. My Terrible Ways
4. I'll Be Blue
5. Johnny Barleycom
6. Ten Percenter
7. Dog Gone
8. The Swimmer
9. Suffering

Album Details

2007 Issued Anthology of the Pixies Frontman's Solo Albums from his Eponymously Titled Solo Debut Thru "Show Me Your Tears".

Customer Reviews:

It's gotta be 5 stars because its Frank Black, but overall I hate best of's.......2007-07-07

I am not one for many words... Frank Black is a genius there is no doubt about that. His Pixies records and solo stuff are great... but as always a best of does not do justice to an artist with such a range of songs. If I were you I wouldn't buy this compilation, but buy his solo stuff starting from the beginning with the self titled album and then if you like that grab the next album (teenager of the year) and so on.

The reviewer above quite rightly said that these songs take a while to sink in and appreciate. That's true for all of Frank's work... don't expect to put a Frank album on and immediately like it... give it 5 or so plays and the genius will hit you. Frank Black albums are special... buy them, not the best of!

Best of the Best.......2007-06-29

Frank black is my favorite musician of all time. I've searched everywhere for those who truely have the gift of melody, and Frank Black takes the cake for my personal favorite. No one else consistantly writes interesting, extremely catchy songs in unique ways as well as this man.
God has truely given him a great gift. This Best of does not have all my favorite songs by him, and some of the selections on here are some of my least favorites (manitoba, i gotta move). However, this compilation is a great showcase of Frank's talent and how his styles have evolved. This is a great start for the uninitiated, and i would recommend it to anyone who loves guitar driven music. All of his songs are gems so of course this isnt really a "best of". One would have to listen to his whole collection for that. The bonus disc is great also for fans to hear some of his classics live. The tracks are in stark contrast to the accoustic selections of last years Christmass album. To all the unitiated though, i must warn you, as any fan would tell you, THE SONGS TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP in your brain. Every album of his i did not like at first. And then came the moment of clarity that would almost always bring tears to my eyes. I dont know how he does it, but this man is clearly gifted in a divine manner. I would call him a modern day Bob Dylan, but better, and less known, and certainly less appreciated.

Average customer rating: Those who ignore repeats should be taken outside and shot One of the best cycles out there - if not the best! Excellent set of Beethoven's 9 Symphonies SACD set is better one of the best beethoven cycles

Beethoven: 9 Symphonies Ludwig van Beethoven , Herbert Von Karajan , Gundula Janowitz , Waldemar Kmentt , Hilde Rossel-Majdan , and Berlin Philharmonic Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35-41 Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000001GBQ Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

1. Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 2. Andante cantabile con moto - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 3. Menuetto. Allegro molto e vivace - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphony No.1 in C major, Op. 21: 4. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace - L.V. Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 1. Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
6. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 2. Marcia funebre. Adagio assai - L.V. Beethoven
7. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 3. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - L.V. Beethoven
8. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, op.55 Eroica: 4. Finale. Allegro molto - L.V. Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: I. Adagio Molto - Allegro Con Brio - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: Larghetto - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: Menuet & Trio: Allegro Molto E Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphonie No. 2 D-dur Op.36: Adagio - Allegro Molto E Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
5. Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace - L.V. Beethoven
6. Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: Adagio - L.V. Beethoven
7. Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: Allegro Vivace: Un Poco Meno Allegro - L.V. Beethoven
8. Symphonie No. 4 B-dur Op. 60: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - L.V. Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphonie No. 5: 1. Allegro Con Brio - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphonie No. 5: 2. Andante Con Moto - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphonie No. 5: 3. Allegro - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphonie No. 5: 4. Allegro - L.V. Beethoven
5. Symphonie No. 6: 1. Erwachen Heiterer Empfindungen Bei Der Ankunft Auf Dem Lande (Allegro Ma Non Troppo) - L.V. Beethoven
6. Symphonie No. 6: 2. Szene Am Bach (Andante Molto Mosso) - L.V. Beethoven
7. Symphonie No. 6: 3. Lustiges Zusammensein Der Landleute (Allegro) - L.V. Beethoven
8. Symphonie No. 6: 4. Gewitter - Sturm (Allegro) - L.V. Beethoven
9. Symphonie No. 6: 5. Hirtengesang, Frohe Und Dankbare Gef Hle Nach Dem Sturm (Allegretto) - L.V. Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony 7: 1 Poco Sostenuto - Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony 7: 2 Allegretto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony 7: 3 Presto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony 7: 4 Allegro Con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony 8: 1 Allegro Vivace I Con Brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
6. Symphony 8: 2 Allegretto Scherzando - Ludwig Van Beethoven
7. Symphony 8: 3 Tempo Di Menuetto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
8. Symphony 8: 4 Allegro Vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 9: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Ludwig Van Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 9: Molto vivace - Ludwig Van Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 9: Adagio molto e cantabile - Ludwig Van Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 9: Presto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 9: Presto. - - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Amazon.com essential recording

By general consensus, Herbert von Karajan's first (1963) Beethoven cycle for Deutsche Grammophon is the best of the four (!) that he recorded. The Berlin Philharmonic was in top form, and they had not yet made an artistic fetish out of the bland smoothness that typified the conductor's later recordings of this music (and just about everything else). Karajan's squeaky clean, emotionally cool Beethoven will always be something of an acquired taste, but this set makes the best possible case for it. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Those who ignore repeats should be taken outside and shot.......2007-06-07

Karajan shows no respect for the balance of Beethoven's score. Overall, there is little here to laud or hate......a bonus second star for spectacular execution by the Berlin Phil, without actually playing any music. Glossy, zero rubato, zero sforzati, continuous mezzo forte.

In 20 years, music notation software with masterful samples will sound exactly like this: the most perfect and beautiful sounds a computer can generate. These performances are soulless.

Give me Bernstein/VPO or Solti/Chicago any day over this rubbish.

One of the best cycles out there - if not the best!.......2007-05-05

The 9 Symphonies play a great role in my life because of their sheer beauty and touching deepness. So I have obtained a lot of recordings of these pieces through the years, some of them on CD, some on casette, some on LP. And there are the concerts, of course. As a natural consequence, I have listened to a lot of different interpretations of these masterpieces. All interpretations (well not all but a great majority) have their moments but when I listen to Maestro Karajan's recordings of these, I always discover something that wasn't there the last time I heard. Karajan has always been critiqued for being too mechanical, too much in control but he always introduced something new to the music through his interpretation... The artistical point of the 1963 Karajan cycle has already been talked about a lot, I've got nothing more to say about it, I can only repeat that this cycle is perpahs the best cycle you will ever find. It is one of those works which become to be the yardstick for the later recordings to be compared with.

I was most pleasantly surprised to discover that the sound quality is phenomenal for a 1963 recording, it is better than more recent ADD records. The sound engineering is also very good, it is like having the full orchestra play for you in youor living room. The deep notes of the double basses go right through you while the violins tease your ears in a most pleasent way. So, the sound quality is just great.

I also would like to talk about the CD design, which is something very important for me. I know it is strange but I like to own CDs that have good design. Of course the included material is a lot more important but... Anyway, there are two CD cases with the first one including the first 6 symphonies on 3 CDs, and the other presenting the remaining three on 2 CDs, with the last CD contains the 9th. CDs have mirror surface with the classic DG logo and the contents are listed on the CD itself as well as the booklet. The booklet offers a good read on the 9 symphonies and the cycle presented with the set.

I hope you will enjoy the set as much as I do...

Excellent set of Beethoven's 9 Symphonies.......2007-04-12

I have only one complaint: the first part of both the 5th and 6th
symphonies feel a bit rushed in my view, the tempo seems just a
little fast. Other than that, this is an excellent set of
Beethoven's 9 symphonies, well worth it.

SACD set is better.......2007-03-30

Beethoven's 5th by Karajan was my first classical record purchase.
Thousands of analogue and digital discs later, I again purchased the same 5th and eight others on this CD set.

Karajan lived through the eternal dilemma of the all artists who came after the great predecessors.
At his last Saltsburg Festival, after conducted "Don Giovanni"He said to his wife,

"Furtwangler would have said it wasn't all that great."
She consoled the Maestro,
"It was! It was!"
Karajan had a life long struggle with legacy of Furtwangler and was not too sure if he won.

Well, his style and interpretations are definitely non-Furtwangler, or to more precisely put non-German.
It seems to me that Karajan tried to avoid playing Beethoven's music in conjunction with German culture and spirituality.

Whether his attempt was successful one or not, has been a topic of many music critics and connoisseurs.

Personally, I have a mixed feeling toward this cycle.
I like No.1, 2 and 7 very much. However, there are some flaws; for instance in the fourth movements of 5th and 9th,
cello, bass, tympani and all lower notes suddenly disappear. All you hear is the first violin all the way to coda with painfully
bright tone.(This is more obvious if you own high resolution Audiophile stereo system)

Wonder if this deletion of bass is a part of Karajan's interpretations or a fault of old analog recorder, which is incapable of
recording loud passages?

In each symphonies, the first violin is always exaggerated over other instruments. I think that is the reason why some people
call these recordings "light" Beethoven.

If you must listen to Karajan's Beethoven Symphonies, I would recommend SACD reissue, which is more expensive and bass is
still thin but tonal quality is somewhat more acceptable.

And if you want to listen to the best Beethoven cycle, do yourself a favor:
Obtain the 9 symphonies by Furtwangler.

This set is not my first choice.

one of the best beethoven cycles.......2007-02-22

generally this set is one of the best beethoven cycles, audio is good considering that this recording was done in the 60's. though the string section of the orchestra was quite dominant, the wind instruments were sonically weak maybe due to placements of microphones during recording( compare with carlos kleiber beethoven symphonies). Last movement of symphony no. 9 seems to be lacking of the high frequecy content of the sound. it seems that there was a cutting of the full audio frequency. maybe they were trying to suppress the noise but the fidelity of the audio was sacreificed. overall this cycle is a must for a beethoven fan.

Average customer rating: Two-and-a-half hours of bliss not what i expected excellent guitar performances Essential Guitar... Lives up to its Name!

Essential Guitar: 33 Guitar Masterpieces Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: 300 Years of Guitar Masterpieces Spanish Guitar Music Classic Williams: Romance of the Guitar Art of Segovia Reflections of Spain: Spanish Favorites for Guitar ASIN: B000069KIT Release Date: 2002-08-13

Customer Reviews:

Two-and-a-half hours of bliss.......2007-04-04

This may be the best money I've ever spent. I got 2-1/2 hours of bliss for less than what I'd usually pay for one CD -- and you know how it is with music. You buy an album because of a song or two that you love, and you find that you like maybe half the songs on it. There's not a single selection in this one that I would've left out. It includes Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, performed by Pepe Romero on the guitar with the Acadamy of St. Martin in the Fields. I needed to replace my old LP recording of that. But I also get 30 other classical compositions and traditional Spanish pieces, each special in its own way.

Have you ever heard music that you wanted to last forever, maybe even to dive inside and live there for a while, immersing yourself in sound? That's how I feel about this collection. The only problem I have with it is that I bought it thinking it might be nice to listen to while I write. Not so. It's terrible for that. I'll sit with my hands poised above the laptop keyboard, assuring myself I'll get some work done while I listen. The music takes hold and carries me away.

I'm not expert at describing this or any type of music. I just know what I love. You might too, if you enjoy classical or Spanish guitar -- unless you have absurd expectations about combining listening with work.

not what i expected.......2007-03-26

This CD for me was a waste of money. Its just not what i thought it would be. Others may enjoy it but for me..it wasnt what i was hoping to hear.

excellent guitar performances.......2006-07-27

Outstanding guitar performances. I gave it only 4 stars because I do not personally like some of the compositions.

Essential Guitar..........2005-07-26

Up until this collection, I'd never heard the "Cavatina" played in the Deer Hunter movie. After hearing it, I could play it all day and not tire of it! It moves me that much, considering that it's almost "not" a classical guitar selection. The rest of the music is first rate! Excellent playing, but the "Cavatina..."
Buy it and enjoy!!!!

Lives up to its Name!.......2005-06-10

If you only bought this double CD set, you'd have a good starter collection of classical guitar music. It includes most of the standards, as well as rarer pieces. In addition to the many solo pieces, there are several excerpts from orchestral works, with Rodrigo's indispensible Adagio from "Concierto de Aranjuez" topping the list. There are also several flamenco numbers included, complete with heel taps and castanets.

The recording quality is uniformly good, even on the tracks by Segovia. I don't know if they were remastered or recorded late in his career, but they're free of the surface noise present in so many of his recordings. The set clocks in at a generous 2 1/2 hours - one of the greatest deals in instrumental music; this is not a "bargain" quality set. Listen to the samples online - great stuff.

My only mild criticism is in the marketing. The advertising features John Williams and Julian Bream. Each contributes exactly one track. I would have enjoyed more pieces by them for stylistic comparison. But the less well-known (at least to guitar music neophytes like me) artists are every bit as good, and I intend to obtain more of their work.

Average customer rating: Beethoven Collection Amazing! An excellent introduction to beethoven's symphonies. Beethoven Collection Top music!

Beethoven Collection: Symphonies Nos. 1-9, Complete Recording (Box Set) Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: 25 Mozart Favorites 25 Tchaikovsky Favorites 25 Vivaldi Favorites 25 Bach Favorites 25 Beethoven Favorites ASIN: B000001VVY Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro ma non troppo
2. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Andante molto mosso
3. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
4. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegro
5. Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 F Major: Allegretto
6. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
7. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Larghetto
8. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Scherzo Allegro
9. Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 D Major: Allegro molto

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

1. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso - Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Molto vivace - Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 In D Minor: Adagio molto e cantabile - Beethoven
4. 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.

Average customer rating: The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Eveer, Volume II Great music listein to while you read in bed A must buy for the non-snobbish classical music fan. A bliss of spirit. Boring

The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II Gabriel Faure , Frederic Chopin , Antonio Vivaldi , Gustav Mahler , Claude Debussy , Sir Neville Marriner , Maris Jansons , Lorin Maazel , Sir Adrian Boult , Miklos Rozsa , Riccardo Muti , Stephen Cleobury , Sir John Barbirolli , New Philharmonia Orchestra , Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus , Academy of St. Martin in the Fields , and Berlin Philharmonic Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Allegri | Allegri, Gregorio | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by J.S. 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The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe The Most Relaxing Piano Album in the World...Ever! Mozart for Relaxation Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits ASIN: B00002439O Release Date: 2003-03-11

Tracks:

1. Sheep May Safely Graze - Sir Neville Marriner
2. Serenade In G 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' - Sir Neville Marriner
3. Violin Concerto No.1 In G Minor, Op.26 - II. Adagio - Yedudi Menuhin
4. Nocturne No.2 In E Flat Op.9 No.2 - John Ogdon
5. Miserere Mei, Deus - Stephen Cleobury
6. Schindler's List - Tasmin Little
7. Traumerei - Dame Moura Lympany
8. Dance Of The Sylphs - Sir Neville Marriner
9. Water Music - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
10. Symphony No.9: II. Largo - Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
11. Jean De Florette - Toots Thielemans
12. Concerto For Lute And Two Violins - II. Largo - Anthony Bailes
13. Cello Concerto In E Minor Op.85 - III. Adagio - Jacqueline De Pre
14. Waltz No.15 In A Flat - Dame Moura Lympany
15. Romance - Piers Lane
16. Pavane - Maurice Handford
17. Woodbrook - Micheal O Suilleabhain
18. Time To Say Goodbye - Orchestra

Tracks:

1. The Four Seasons - Concerto No.1 In E 'Spring' - Yehundi Menuhin
2. Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - New Philharmonia Orchestra
3. Double Violin Concerto In D Minor - II. Largo Ma Non Tanto - Yehudi Menuhin
4. Prelude No.7 In A Op.28 No.7 - Tzimon Barto
5. Cantique De Jean Racine - MONKS AND CHOIRBOYS OF DOWNSIDE ABBEY
6. The Lark Ascending - Hugh Bean
7. 'Pathetique Sonata Op.13 - II. Adagio Cantabile - Leonard Pennario
8. Pie Jesu - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
9. Salut D'Amour - Richard Hickox
10. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin (The Girl With Flaxen Hair) - Dame Moura Lympany
11. The Coventry Carol - Medeval Babes
12. Pavane For A Dead Princess - New Philharmonia Orchestra
13. Liebestraum No.3 In A Flat - John Ogdon
14. Panis Angelicus - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
15. Piano Concerto No.2 In F Op.102 - II. Andante - Dmitri Alexeev
16. Agnus Dei - Peter Barley
17. Symphony No.5 In C Sharp Minor - IV. Adagietto - New Philharmonia Orchestra
18. My Heart Will Go On - Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Eveer, Volume II.......2006-08-28

Good selection of music, poorly performed and badly arranged. Good album for a tag sale. Same comment applies for Volume I.

Great music listein to while you read in bed.......2005-08-21

I have listened to this CD for the last several years before going to sleep at night. I love classical music, and this is great music to help make my soul feel at peace and unwind after a taxing day.

A must buy for the non-snobbish classical music fan........2004-10-22

I bought Vol. 1 of this series and was quite satisfied, but I have to say I'm more than satisfied with this one. If you can just mellow out and enjoy some great pieces, you'll love this CD. #15 on Disc 2 is almost worth the price alone!

A bliss of spirit........2004-09-18

That's disc will open You a wonderful, beautiful world of sounds, their harmony & emotion : you'll feel your heart full of
Joy, Tears, Love.
Good LUCK!

Boring.......2004-05-11

Yes this CD will put you to sleep in minutes. Its the most boring uninspiring classical music. The first CD was very good but this Vol. 2 is like most movie sequels....AWFUL !

Average customer rating: Beethoven for Babies Nicest classical CD I have found for my baby (& me) Ode To Beethoven Pseudoscientific crap, but some of the music is good here Nicest classical music CD I've found for my baby (& me)

Beethoven for Babies Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bagatelles | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach for Babies The Mozart Effect - Music for Babies - Playtime to Sleepytime Build Your Baby's Brain Mozart for Mothers-To-Be: Tender Lullabies for Mother and Child The Mozart Effect: Music For Babies: Nighty Night ASIN: B000009OU6 Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

1. Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: The Cottage Maid (Welsh)
2. Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: The Last Rose Of Summer (Irish)
3. Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: Chiling O'Guirg (Irish)
4. Six National Airs With Variations, Op. 105: English Bulls (Irish)
5. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: St. Patrick's Day (Irish)
6. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: O Mary, At The Window Be (Scottish)
7. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Oh, Thou Are The Lad Of My Heart (Scottish)
8. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Fur Elise
9. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor ('Pathetique') - Adagio cantabile
10. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: String Quartet No. 13 In B-Flat - Alla Danza Tedesca. Allegro assai
11. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 7 In D - Menuetto (Allegro)
12. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: The Creatures Of Prometheus - Finale. Allegretto
13. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 18 In E-Flat - Menuetto (Moderato e grazioso)
14. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 20 In G - Tempo di menuetto
15. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 8 In F - Allegro scherzando
16. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor ('Choral') - Ode To Joy
17. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Piano Sonata No. 15 In D ('Pastoral') - Rondo (Allegro ma non troppo)
18. Ten National Airs With Variations, Op. 107: Symphony No. 6 In F ('Pastoral') - Hymn Of Thanksgiving

Amazon.com

For the parent looking to ease their child into a familiarity with classical music, this is a very well chosen set of Beethoven works. It begins with a generous selection of airs composed late in the composer's life. The presence of the flute as the lead instrument on these selections has a soothing quality that moves the ear in an ideally subtle way, especially as it gives way to the more excited piano sonata pieces. Zoltán Kocsis's reading of "Pathétique" is followed by Claudio Arrau's take on the 7th, 15th, and 18th sonatas and Sviatoslav Richter's lyrical take on the 20th ("Pastoral"). Programmed amidst the piano pieces, which are great studies in dynamics and musical spacing, are some fine orchestral snippets, none longer than five minutes. The collection does a fine balancing act, condensing works that don't inherently lend themselves to shortened renditions and carefully managing moods, entry, and egress to each segment. This is fine anthology work. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Beethoven for Babies.......2007-05-21

My baby and I really enjoy this CD. It is so fun to feel the baby get excited when I play it. I have a pillow speaker and just place it right up against my stomach. It evens helps me to get in a nap or just rest for a while.

Nicest classical CD I have found for my baby (& me).......2005-09-01

This is a very pleasant CD to listen to, and I think the quality of the music is excellent. I enjoy listening to this with my 10 month old son, and we also listen to the radio and lots of modern music. I recently purchased 5 of the classical "Baby Einstein" CDs and I consider them to be inferior to this Beethoven for Babies CD. The Baby Einstein are very synthesized sounding and I think they are annoyingly mellow and kind of dopey. This Beethoven CD is beautiful. In fact I'm going to buy 1 or 2 more from this series.

Ode To Beethoven.......2005-05-13

The actual reason I bought this cd is for "Fur Elise" but it turned out to be much more than I bargained for. Before road rage sets in while sitting in a traffic jam during rush hour, play this. If you need to take it easy and escape from your reality, play this. Need something to play at work that's not explicit or offensive, play this. Of course, it's not Beethoven himself, but if you need some quiet time, play this. Even while you read, you could play this. If you want some authenticity to your collection, get Beethoven for Babies.

Pseudoscientific crap, but some of the music is good here.......2004-05-27

The 3 stars is only because the hucksters that put this together at least had the decency to tracks featuring Arrau & Richter on this CD. A lot of these "turn your baby into a genius with classical music" CDs and tapes feature only lousy musical performances from hack musicians you have never heard of.

That having been said, if you are stupid enough to believe any of this "Mozart Effect" horse manure --- which continues to have no support in any sort of controlled test environment --- then your babies will probably inherit your limited intellectual capacities & no amount of Beethoven & Mozart will ever be able to help them.

If, on the other hand, you are introducing Junior to classical music, you could do worse --- but you could also do better. Go get Arrau's complete Beethoven sonatas & concerti, get the Berg Quartett's complete Beethoven quartet cycle, and get John Eliot Gardiner's complete Beethoven symphonies --- just for a start. Also, don't stop with Beethoven & Mozart. My 9-month old daughter gets a diverse exposure to a thousand years of music, and very little is off limits. She got acquainted with the Bartok Quartets within her first couple of months, and it doesn't look like we have created an axe murderer or anything like that.

Anyway, if you want to create a classical music lover, do it right and go the distance, rather than doing it piecemeal with CDs like this. Your baby may still be a moron, but at least will be a moron with exquisite taste.

Nicest classical music CD I've found for my baby (& me).......2003-11-23

This is a very pleasant CD to listen to, and I think the quality of the music is excellent. I enjoy listening to this with my 10 month old son, and we also listen to the radio and lots of modern music. I recently purchased 5 of the classical "Baby Einstein" CDs and I consider them to be inferior to this Beethoven for Babies CD. The Baby Einstein are very synthesized sounding and I think they are annoyingly mellow and kind of dopey. This Beethoven CD is beautiful. In fact I'm going to buy 1 or 2 more from this series.

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