Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Günter Wand, NDR-Sinfonieorchester :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Günter Wand Edition)

One of the best traditional Beethoven cycles

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 03/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During a season of Beethoven I decided to finally hear ALL the symphonies, and so I started to search for a complete cycle. This Beethoven symphonic cycle is the current recommendation of Gramophone, out of all those available -- strong praise indeed! Is Gramophone misguided, deluded or otherwise discombobulated, thus explaining their idiosyncratic choice? I think not. Nobody pays me to listen to Beethoven cycles all day long, so I can't say whether Wand's with the NDR of Hamburg (remastered from the original 1985-1988 recordings) is the absolute best, but I can testify that it is great -- no weak links, and several contenders for the best available performance.



The amazing Gunter Wand, who emerged as one of the world's great conductors late in life before his death in 2002, leads the NDR in strong, convincing versions of the 1st and 2nd, generally regarded as solid but less than revolutionary works. The 6th is absolutely transcendental, making a believer of me. I had never considered it to be one of Beethoven's best, a bit on the "light" side, but Wand brings it alive and I have seen the light!



The remaining symphonies are all superb, but face the strongest possible competition from the legions of great conductors and orchestras that have tackled these great works over the years. I am partial to Szell's 3rd and 8th with Cleveland, and I can now hear more clearly how distinctive his taut, streamlined interpretation is compared to Wand's, which is fuller-bodied. Furtwangler's immortal live performances of the 3rd are incomparable in their intensity, which can only be fully appreciated by comparison to a powerful, yet mortal account such as Wand's. Of course Kleiber, leading the VPO, reigns with the 5th and 7th. The magnitude of his accomplishment looms ever larger upon the realization that these Wand performances are top-notch, and yet Kleiber goes still further into the Beethovenian essence. That leaves the 9th, and while Wand and the NDR present a magnificent performance, it is impossible to say that it is better than the best of Furtwangler (ie, Bayreuth 1951 for the best combination of performance and sound).



A word on the packaging -- the "box" is just a thin cardboard liner enclosing 5 standard jewel boxes. All have the same navy blue-with-silver-lettering design, quite appropriately noble looking. The combinations are 1&6, 2&7, 3&8, 4&5 and 9.



This Wand cycle has added immensely to my appreciation of Beethoven, and I strongly recommend it."

Stunning Performance, Recording

Christopher D. Helmkamp | Falls Church, VA | 01/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are many Beethoven Symphony cycles out there, but this is my favorite so far. The sound quality is head and shoulders above all others I've heard -- the symphonic textures are rich and easily discernable, as if you were sitting in the best seats of the house, in the best symphony hall. Wand's conducting is also very good, and I particularly find his 6th and 9th appealing, for once tipping my preference towards rich modern orchestras instead of period pieces by Gardiner and others. (It also doesn't hurt just how affordable this set is!)"

Highly dependable Beethoven cycle in clear natural sound

Ivor E. Zetler | Sydney Australia | 03/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gunther Wand only achieved significant renown toward the end of his long life. He insisted on prolonged rehearsal time and is said to have been a difficult, depressive personality. His repertoire centred on the classics (Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms) as well as Bruckner. Hearing this cycle of Beethoven symphonies proves to be a consistently satisfying experience. The interpretations are vital, solid, middle of the road (in the best sense of the term) and expertly phrased; I could not say that any of the performances was below a highly satisfying level of execution.



A bonus is the natural, clear, warm and well balanced sound. The NDR Symphony Orchestra is an excellent unit and sound top notch. Of course the serious music lover would have multiple sets of this inexhaustable music (search out the Bruno Walter 1940's cycle with the New York Philharmonic as well as the usual suspects like Karajan 1963 and Klemperer). But if you are seeking a well performed modern recording of the Beethoven symphonies, you will not go wrong with this Gunther Wand set."