Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Christoph von Dohnányi, The Cleveland Orchestra :: BEETHOVEN ~ Symphony No. 3 in Eb "Eroica"

Often overlooked; Highly underrated

M. Seeley | Charlotte, NC | 01/18/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Dohnanyi/Cleveland cycle came out when the HIP cycles by Hogwood & Norrington started to appear. It never seemed to get the attention it deserved which is too bad for these are outstanding performances. Particularly the 3rd. This was a symphony that Dohnanyi's predecessor, the great George Szell, seemed to own. Much to his credit, Dohnanyi views Beethoven's "Eroica" not as a full blown essay in Romanticism, but as the culmination of the Classical ideal. Dohnanyi retains Szells fire, tightness of ensemble, and precise articulation. But, Dohnanyi brings a new voluptuousness to this score that surpasses even Szells standards. It is a fabulous performance."

Creme de la creme

Rich Yampell | 04/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beethoven's Eroica is simply one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, and this performance is simply the best I've ever heard, hands down. The pacing is just perfect, the first movement simply soars. And best of all, he takes the repeat of the exposition in the first movement, which I have found difficult to find in recordings of this piece. There is absolutely *nothing* in this performance I would want to change, and it has become the standard by which I judge all others."

Truly, the best-kept secret on CD.

Rich Yampell | 05/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the very first of Dohnanyi's recordings with the Cleveland Orchestra, made within months of his designation as Music Director in the early 1980s. A vivid, rollicking Eroica, with the Clevelanders' famed precision and Telarc's usual expansive sound. Among the best, by every standard."