Ludwig van Beethoven Karl Boumlhm Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra - Beethoven Symphony Nos 6 7 82 Overtures (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

Best Thing I Ever Bought.

01/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am so utterly charmed by these recordings that it amazes me. Right away I greatly preferred Bohm's 6th to the few others that I had heard. I wasn't surprised since it appears to be universally admired. With the seventh I was immediately struck by its classical poise vs. say Kleiber's energy and drive, and thought that I needed to quickly acquire several other versions to figure out what "most" conductors thought the approach should be. I thought Solti's digital 7th was good and definitely in the Kleiber camp. Ashkenazy was next: not a carbon-copy but still also in the energy and drive catagory. Then I discovered that if you listen to the Bohm first during the listening session it doesn't seem "too polite" anymore, it sounds utterly convincing, and the others sound impossibly driven in the III and IV, and nowhere near as impressive as a total performance. And that's without even considering aspects of recording quality or tonal balance. Maybe some will think I'm missing it, but I almost can't listen to the others anymore becauce it really sounds like Bohm nailed it. Number 8. I thought I really loved this work after hearing the '62 Karajan and the Edlinger recording from Naxos. Muti and Szell followed. Good and good. Then I heard the Bohm and it was the same thing all over again. "It's so different," I thought, "slow and almost pokey, though the recording sounds great and the balance is very warm and sweet." Then a few nights later I slip on the headphones and it hits me: this is the greatest interpretation of the most absolutely wonderful music I've ever heard. Pure pleasure, perfect, fun fun fun. Now I really can't listen to other versions anymore(and the digital Solti becomes a cruel joke). So I bought the Bohm 3&9 set and can't wait to get the 1,2,4,5 set. I think Beethoven was an entertainer, not just out to impress. Get these disks, they've got beauty and balance and power in the right places."

Soon to be a lost treasure

J. Buxton | 01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While some criticism of Bohm's Beethoven Symphonies relate to his tempi being too slow, I nevertheless discovered that one of my biggest considerations in choosing a Beethoven conductor, (I do own others like Reiner, Hogwood, Toscanini), turned out to be over the timpani, not the tempo. I don't know about your ears, but I can't stand listening to Beethoven Symphonies by the supposed great conductors with out-of-tune musicians and timpani that sound like dead pots! Funny thing about this underrated conductor, Karl Bohm, his musicans are always in-tune and the timpani always resonate as an integral and balanced part of the orchestra and the score. Also important to me in choosing a conductor, Bohm consistently manages to bring a presence and sense of drama to these works that the so-called great conductors often fail to achieve. I'm not an expert, but maybe, that's the best part of his operatic skill coming through. P.S. Deutsche Gramophon no longer lists these Bohm recordings of the Beethoven cycle, as available."

Definitive 6th Symphony/Superb 7th Symphony

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 01/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These expansive, crisp performances of Beethoven symphonies 6, 7 and 8 are among the best available; this two CD set is clearly a key part of one of the finest recorded Beethoven symphony cycles. Karl Bohm does a superlative job conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, getting warm, vibrant performances, most notably from the string and woodwind sections. Bohm's version of the 6th Symphony soars triumphantly, ably recorded by Deutsche Grammophone's sound engineers. His version of the 7th Symphony is almost as thrilling to hear as Carlos Kleiber's version, recorded a few years later with the same orchestra, which many regard as the definitive version. The 8th Symphony is another fine performance too. It is truly amazing how clear and crisp these analogue recordings sound on CD, even though they haven't been remastered via the latest 20/24 bit sound technology."

The best version of the sixth!

Java Joe | Sheboygan, WI USA | 02/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beethoven's sixth is often underappreciated and overlooked. This version will quickly get you to reconsider your opinion if you have dismissed the sixth as "lightweight." The entire symphony is played with exquisite sensitivity. The first two movements, in particular, reveal Beethoven's genius. Bohm gets the orchestra to revel in Beethoven's lush textures. Everying is balanced and played with great delicacy. Bohm's reading of the seventh is quite different than the famous Klieber version. Again, other reviewers have criticized Bohm for being a bit too slow (the only place this is a concern is in his rendering of the fifth). However, Bohm gets a different, though equally satisfying effect from the slower tempo, particularly in the second movement. Bohm gets much more emotional depth out of this movemement than Klieber does. The spirited eighth is every bit as great as Szell's outstanding version with the Cleveland Symphony. In short, this is a "can't miss" cycle. You can't go wrong, and you won't be dissatisfied with Bohm's versions of all nine Beethoven symphonies."

You must hear this recording

M. Mclain | VA | 08/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's very exciting to see Bohm's Beethoven cycle, Mozart recordings and Tristan und Isolde get the praise that it deserves. For those of you who are not familiar with Bohm, take the leap and see why everyone is so excited. You may notice that many of his lower profile recordings (such as this) often have higher ratings then the classics. Bohm is not a surface conductor; many will testify that his recordings did not appeal to them the first few times they listened to them, but suddenly grew on them. If the other reviewers seem to struggle for words, it isn't surprising. Nothing is as amazing as hearing such 'plain' recordings and realizing they are better and more miraculous then the competition. For those of you that have this recording, but don't like it, keep it on the shelf and take it down every now and then and see how it works for you. I will tell you, having the whole cycle, that these three (along with the eroica) are the best of the cycle. The fifth is rather slow at times, and (sadly) it is probably not Bohm's fault, or Beethoven, but the fact that we have grown so used to hearing it that it has to be 'Kleiberized' to make it alive again. I definitely prefer his seventh over others, and as has been attested to, it is one that has to grow with you. The only other recording to recommend is Krips cycle, which unfortunately has all but disappeared from print and public eye. It's certainly not better, but it is interesting to hear a conductor who has a Beethoven sound even more transparent then Bohm's. As for the more recent digital recording of the ninth, you will notice that it has taking a heavy critical slam for its consistently slow tempos. Although I defend the recording, I have to admit this to be the case, and except for the first movement, I would have liked to have seen it taken faster. This recording definitely cannot be recommended too much, and I agree with another reviewer that it is very surprising that DG has not made a greater effort to push this cycle. I have noticed that it has stayed consistenly in print (recently reissued again) and it may be that they know there's more money to be made in selling the recordings individually. Who can say? Whatever the case, buy it!!"

Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Karl Böhm, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures

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