In Reply to: Some Beethoven Fifth Last Movements posted by Chris from Lafayette on August 3, 2016 at 14:06:55:
I have it on SACD and LP. The set is quite variable, IMO, with strong performances of most of the symphonies, but with some major miscalculations in the first movement of the 6th, the second movement of the 8th, and the final movement of the 7th. The first two symphonies are also done in a "bigger band" way than we would likely hear today.
I also have the 70s performances on LP, which I need to pull down one day and listen to again, not having heard them in a long time.
OK, now for some controversy - not only is Karajan's 5th from this cycle one of its highlights, it is far better than the famous Carlos Kleiber VPO reading. (Do a head to head with the score in front of you, and see what you think - my very short review of the Kleiber would be muscular, generalized and externalized.)
In fact-every time I have compared Karajan and Kleiber head to head, Karajan comes out on top, and there are times when I believe that Kleiber was quite overrated, benefitting from his "cult" status.
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Follow Ups
- Karajan's 5th is one of the highlights of that set - TGR 15:48:16 08/03/16 (6)
- The '70's Karajan 7th is excellent IMO. nt - Rick W 17:02:23 08/03/16 (0)
- I also like the Karajan '63 performance better than the Kleiber performance - Chris from Lafayette 16:36:55 08/03/16 (4)
- Here's a review I wrote ages ago - TGR 17:46:42 08/03/16 (3)
- Thanks - Yeah, I noticed that. . . uh. . . unhurried third movement in the Eighth too - Chris from Lafayette 20:41:24 08/03/16 (0)
- RE: Here's a review I wrote ages ago - ahendler 18:09:41 08/03/16 (1)
- RE: Here's a review I wrote ages ago - TGR 18:23:14 08/03/16 (0)