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Best VPO Beethoven cycle?

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3Bs

unread,
Dec 20, 2009, 9:00:34 PM12/20/09
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OK, that's a lame subject if there ever was one, but I m transferring
my Bohm cycle from LP right now (which a Google search in RMC shows I
bought in 1994 for $4.50!), and find I still very much like the sound
quality DG captured, especially the clear timps. It isn't Bohm on
fire, however, so you know what to expect. He never completely drops
the ball or does anything really strange, so it is pretty easy going.
I read something favorable about the 4th from this cycle the other
day- can't remember where, so we'll see if that was deserved. I
certainly haven't listened to any of these in at least ten years.

IIRC, Rattle did a cycle with them recently, but I'm really not
interested in the VPO playing anything like HIP, and just want to hear
the orchestra being itself, even if that isn't cutting edge. Lenny got
it right in a few of his- I've got most of those on Laserdisc still.

What VPO cycle represents them at their best, sonority-wise,
neverminding the abilities of the conductor?

The Historian

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Dec 20, 2009, 10:34:17 PM12/20/09
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Bernstein and Bohm, IMO.

Stan Punzel

unread,
Dec 21, 2009, 12:20:32 AM12/21/09
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I'd put in a vote for Schmidt-Isserstedt. I think it gets forgotten as a
cycle.

Stan Punzel

Frank Berger

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Dec 21, 2009, 1:09:43 AM12/21/09
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My favorite 9th.


Gerard

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Dec 21, 2009, 3:33:47 AM12/21/09
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Stan Punzel wrote:
>
> I'd put in a vote for Schmidt-Isserstedt. I think it gets forgotten
> as a cycle.
>

Wrong. I remember it as a cycle (having bought it LP after LP) :)


Dil

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Dec 21, 2009, 8:08:30 AM12/21/09
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> Stan Punzel wrote:
>
> I'd put in a vote for Schmidt-Isserstedt. I think it gets forgotten
> as a cycle.

Agreed. I recently did a listening comparison of all of my LvB cycles
and Schmidt-Isserstedt unexpectedly (to me) ranked near the top.


Dil.

Mike

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Dec 21, 2009, 8:36:04 AM12/21/09
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My very rare, pristine-sounding transfers of the pre-WWII Toscanini/
VPO cycle, with the Missa Solemnis and the Emperor with Horowitz.
Just kidding.

Dave Cook

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Dec 21, 2009, 11:03:30 AM12/21/09
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On 2009-12-21, 3Bs <three...@aol.com> wrote:

> What VPO cycle represents them at their best, sonority-wise,
> neverminding the abilities of the conductor?

Another vote for Bernstein.

Monteux recorded 1, 3, 6, & 8 with the VPO, but I don't feel it
represents the conductor, orchestra, or the Decca engineers at their
best. However, it seems to be rated very highly by enough people to
be worth mentioning:

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Nos-Ludwig-van/dp/B00000422R

Böhm's was my first set (on International Preview Society Lps), and
I'm still imprinted on much of it. Certainly one of the most
beautiful sounding Beethoven sets. It's available on separate
Australian Eloquence CDs now, though I wish Univeral would get around
to issuing it in a box.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/yezwcy4

Dave Cook

David Oberman

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Dec 21, 2009, 11:36:44 AM12/21/09
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You're very cruel!

notesetter

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Dec 21, 2009, 1:37:40 PM12/21/09
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I love this cycle also. The VPO sounds leaner than usual and to me,
that's a benefit in this music. Interpretation is refreshingly
straightforward.

wkasimer

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Dec 22, 2009, 9:40:23 AM12/22/09
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On Dec 21, 12:20 am, Stan Punzel <rapun...@spiritone.com> wrote:

> I'd put in a vote for Schmidt-Isserstedt.

Ditto, but good luck finding a CD copy at a reasonable price.

Bill

Stan Punzel

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Dec 22, 2009, 3:18:41 PM12/22/09
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I noticed in the Decca 2009 catalog that it was not in there.
I'm glad i bought it when I could.

Stan Punzel

Edward A. Cowan

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Dec 29, 2009, 12:18:32 PM12/29/09
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The VPO/Schmidt-Isserstedt set of the Beethoven symphonies was issued by
Decca in an 8-CD set that also contained the five piano concerti with
Backhaus and the violin concerto with Szeryng (Decca 467 892-2).

The VPO/B�hm set of the symphonies was issued on CD by DG in three sets:
Nos. 1-2, 4-5 on DG 439 682-2; nos. 3 and 9, with three overtures, on DG
437 368-2; and nos. 6-8 on DG 437 926-2.

I should think that both the "Schmitty" and B�hm sets should still be
easily obtainable... --E.A.C.


Stan Punzel <rapu...@spiritone.com> wrote:


--
hrabanus

Gerard

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Dec 29, 2009, 12:42:54 PM12/29/09
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Edward A. Cowan wrote:
> The VPO/Schmidt-Isserstedt set of the Beethoven symphonies was issued
> by Decca in an 8-CD set that also contained the five piano concerti
> with Backhaus and the violin concerto with Szeryng (Decca 467 892-2).
>
> The VPO/B�hm set of the symphonies was issued on CD by DG in three
> sets: Nos. 1-2, 4-5 on DG 439 682-2; nos. 3 and 9, with three
> overtures, on DG 437 368-2; and nos. 6-8 on DG 437 926-2.
>
> I should think that both the "Schmitty" and B�hm sets should still be
> easily obtainable... --E.A.C.
>
>

But did you try to find it? (The Schmidt-Isserstedt set I mean.)
I suppose not.
I tried, and did not find it available.


Edward A. Cowan

unread,
Dec 29, 2009, 2:24:12 PM12/29/09
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Indeed, I tried to find it and it is _introuvable_, _unauffindbar_, not
to be found. <sigh> --E.A.C.

Gerard <ghen_nospam_driksen˛@hotmail.com> wrote:

> But did you try to find it? (The Schmidt-Isserstedt set I mean.)
> I suppose not.
> I tried, and did not find it available.


--
hrabanus

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