- Audio CD (April 16 2002)
- SPARS Code: ADD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Dutton Labs UK
- ASIN: B00005UWO9
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Product Description
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6 [Import] [Audio CD] Beethoven, Ludwig van
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
This inexpensive Dutton CD offers good transfers of Kleiber's 1929 Beethoven 2nd with the Berlin Opera and his Beethoven "Pastoral" from 1948 with the London Philharmonic. These are both fine readings - but Kleiber re-recorded both in versions that are better played and in better sound.
I first owned this 2nd on an imported Historia LP set of the complete symphonies. This set had an intriguing premise: each symphony was performed by a different "historic" conductor. The choices were: 1. Pfitzner, 2. this Kleiber, 3. Keilberth, 4. Mengelberg, 5. R. Strauss, 6. Toscanini, 7. Rudolph Schulz-Dornburg (a terrific performance that proved to be the hidden gem of the entire set), 8. Bruno Walter, and 9. Furtwangler (the 1942 version in horrible sound). Later this Kleiber was on a Heliodor LP (with German Dances K. 600), and later still it turned up on a budget Olympia LP set mis-attributed to Furtwangler!
This 2nd was completely superseded by Kleiber's 1938 recording with the Belgian National Orchestra (recently on a Teldec CD, coupled with Kleiber's excellent 1935 Schubert 8th). Kleiber's re-make was worthy of standing along side the classic Weingartner reading (now on Naxos) - Kleiber's last mvt. was even more virtuosic.
This "Pastoral" is a fine account - but Kleiber's 1953 recording with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw (slated for re-release this year in a 6-disc Decca set devoted to Kleiber) was even better played, and the mono sound was beautiful.
Suggestion: Try to get a copy of the Teldec CD for a much better Beethoven 2nd, and get in line for that new Decca set, which will have Kleiber's better 1953 "Pastoral" and such great items as his 1950 7th and 1952 9th, Mozart's 39 & 40, and a great Schubert 9th.
This is a very good historical reissue from the folks at Dutton Labs UK. This title features the great conductor Erich Kleiber, father of Carlos, conducting Beethoven's 2nd & 6th Symphonies. The highlight of the disc is the Pastoral -- a 1948 recording with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It is delightfully paced and full of explosive power in the "thunderstorm" movement, despite its mono-sound shortcomings. Unfortunately, the 1929 account of the 2nd with the Berlin Opera Orchestra is of even poorer sound quality, though it is wonderful to hear Kleiber with youthful vigor. Those curious about Erich Kleiber's considerable talents should first check out his Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5 CD on Decca Legends, because of its better overall quality, but this Dutton title is a logical next step.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
1 review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Gem from Dutton
Feb 16 2004
By Michael B. Richman
- Published on Amazon.com
This is a very good historical reissue from the folks at Dutton Labs UK. This title features the great conductor Erich Kleiber, father of Carlos, conducting Beethoven's 2nd & 6th Symphonies. The highlight of the disc is the Pastoral -- a 1948 recording with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It is delightfully paced and full of explosive power in the "thunderstorm" movement, despite its mono-sound shortcomings. Unfortunately, the 1929 account of the 2nd with the Berlin Opera Orchestra is of even poorer sound quality, though it is wonderful to hear Kleiber with youthful vigor. Those curious about Erich Kleiber's considerable talents should first check out his Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 3 & 5 CD on Decca Legends, because of its better overall quality, but this Dutton title is a logical next step.
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