Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Claudio Abbado, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 7 & 8

A Powerful Interpretation of Two Great Symphonies

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 09/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can still recall the first time I heard Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. It was a warm summer evening, and I could not get to sleep. I had a clock radio and turned it on to listen to some music. I fumbled across the local classical station which was broadcasting a concert of the Boston Symphony live from Tanglewood. I caught most of the third movement and all of the fourth, and was immediately in love. I could not wait to purchase an LP of the recording for myself (this was 1977, mind you). I took a train into Boston, went right to Jordan Marsh, and found the LP I was looking for, or so I thought. When I got home, I realized I made a mistake. I purchased Symphony #8. After listening to it, I was hardly disappointed. I later did get Symphony #7. My LPs are long gone and I have graduated to compact disks, and I probably have five different versions of the two symphonies. The Vienna Philharmonic recording with Claudio Abbado is hands down my favorite of both works. The Vienna Philharmonic has a great reputation regarding Beethoven, and Abbado's interpretation only adds credence to this reputation.Symphony #7 is a majestic, powerful piece that has moments of exaltation and sheer beauty. The first movement is playful, the second tranquil, the third, exhilarating, and the fourth and final movement is sheer excitement. Some recordings can either lack the enthusiasm needed for this piece, or sound just plain bombastic, but Abbado has control over the work that allows the music's great possibilities become reality. Many recordings abridge this great work, but this recording is the masterpiece in its fullness.Symphony #8 is simply playful. Beethoven wanted people to simply enjoy the music, and Abbado seems to enjoy this piece. I am certain listeners will enjoy it too."

Don't overlook Claudio Abbado's 7th & 8th

KT | Alaska, USA | 08/26/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have just in the last few years acquired a taste for classical music. What sparked the interest was a CD that came into my possession of Beehoven's 7th & 8th, conducted by Claudio Abbado. The CD does not have a case, it vanished long ago (the result of raising three teenagers). Since then I have purchased a few dozen Beethoven CD's, including the entire cycles by Karajan (1963 edition) and Bernstein. Without a doubt the Claudio Abbado 7th and 8th is VASTLY superior for my tastes. It is played with rousing vigor and enthusiasm by the Vienna Philharmonic. While the Karajan's and Bernsteins may be more "classical" by most standards, the Abbado is played with punch, vigor, and enthusiasm. It could be I apprecaited it more being raised on Rock and Roll, but I can clearly hear the differences and make the comparisons without hesitation, and I like what I hear."