Beethoven: Complete Symphonies

Disc 1
1	Symphony No. 1 in C major
2	Symphony No. 1 in C major
3	Symphony No. 1 in C major
4	Symphony No. 1 in C major
5	Symphony No. 3 in E flat
6	Symphony No. 3 in E flat
7	Symphony No. 3 in E flat
8	Symphony No. 3 in E flat
Disc 2
1	Symphony No. 2 in D major
2	Symphony No. 2 in D major
3	Symphony No. 2 in D major
4	Symphony No. 2 in D major
5	Symphony No. 5 in C minor
6	Symphony No. 5 in C minor
7	Symphony No. 5 in C minor
8	Symphony No. 5 in C minor
Disc 3
1	Symphony No. 4 in B flat
2	Symphony No. 4 in B flat
3	Symphony No. 4 in B flat
4	Symphony No. 4 in B flat
5	Symphony No. 6 in F major
6	Symphony No. 6 in F major
7	Symphony No. 6 in F major
8	Symphony No. 6 in F major
9	Symphony No. 6 in F major
Disc 4
1	Symphony No. 7 in A major
2	Symphony No. 7 in A major
3	Symphony No. 7 in A major
4	Symphony No. 7 in A major
5	Symphony No. 8 in F major
6	Symphony No. 8 in F major
7	Symphony No. 8 in F major
8	Symphony No. 8 in F major
Disc 5
1	Symphony No. 9 in D minor
2	Symphony No. 9 in D minor
3	Symphony No. 9 in D minor
4	Symphony No. 9 in D minor
5	Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies
1.	Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 25:29
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
2.	Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ("Eroica"), Op. 55 49:43
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
3.	Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36 32:07
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
4.	Symphony No. 5 in C minor ("Fate") Op. 67 31:55
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
5.	Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60 33:50
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
6.	Symphony No. 6 in F major ("Pastoral") Op. 68 44:38
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
7.	Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 39:57
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
8.	Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 25:54
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
9.	Symphony No. 9 in D minor ("Choral") Op. 125 1:09:54
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Conducted by Simon Rattle
	Performed by Birgit Remmert, Thomas Hampson, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Barbara Bonney and Kurt Streit

Barnes & Noble

As old fashioned as it may seem, Beethoven symphony cycles are still the measure of a maestro, and Simon Rattle's set with the Vienna Philharmonic, not surprisingly, shows this dynamic conductor charting his own course. Nowadays, Beethoven cycles tend to be defined first and foremost by the types of instruments used: period or modern, "authentic" or not. So, for example, we have cycles from Roger Norrington and John Eliot Gardiner in the period-instrument camp and those from Daniel Barenboim and Claudio Abbado in the modern. The stylistic differences between the two can be pronounced, with sharply diverging approaches to everything from tempo to the use of vibrato. Then there are the distinctions in sound: the lean textures of early-instrument ensembles versus the lush grandeur of modern-instrument orchestras. Rattle's cycle, recorded live in Vienna over a series of concerts in April and May 2002, seeks a middle road. He uses a modern-instrument ensemble (indeed, one of the most distinguished Beethoven orchestras there is) but brings to the table a wealth of early-music techniques that would make Gardiner and Norrington smile. The results are certainly thought provoking and often riveting, with predictably solid playing from the Viennese musicians, yet reactions will likely vary according to taste. Overall, tempos are lively, though Rattle doesn't follow slavishly Beethoven's notoriously fast metronome markings, and he indulges in a fair amount of rhythmic pushing and pulling. The use of vibrato is very spare, especially in the strings, with consequently lighter and more early music–friendly textures (to many listeners, this may be the most striking aspect of this set), while the winds make a lovely, sweet sound, and the timpani has a pronounced punch -- again, an early-music touch. Many symphonies sparkle with charm and elegance (the First and especially the Sixth); others bring out the rough-hewn energy of Beethoven's music with some forcefully incisive playing (try the opening of the "Eroica" or the Finale to the Fifth). The Ninth, however, is given an especially expansive reading, with deliberately paced speeds throughout. And the soloists in the Finale are very fine, though perhaps not quite up to the high mark set in Abbado's recording. Rattle's Beethoven cycle has been highly anticipated -- no wonder, given his leading reputation. Whether it's his last word on these ever-engrossing symphonies remains to be seen. In the meantime, there's much to savor here and quite a bit to make you think as well. EJ Johnson

All Music Guide

There are fine performances in this 2002 cycle of the Beethoven symphonies by Simon Rattle with the Vienna Philharmonic on EMI. His "Fourth" is delightful: gracious and lyrical from start to finish with superb playing by the V.P.O. His "Fifth" is dramatic: strong and direct with an unerring sense of structure. His "Sixth" is lovely: affectionately shaped and sculpted with particularly exquisite wind playing. His "Ninth" is monumental: powerful and effecting with especially glorious singing from the Birmingham Symphony Chorus. There are also some less-than-fine performances. Rattle's "First" and "Second" are too brusque and abrupt. His "Third" lacks sufficient tension and momentum. His "Seventh" and "Eighth" are too sloppy and erratic. EMI's sound is always vivid, but sometimes so loud that the climaxes come close to breaking up. On balance, this is a more than adequate and less than wholly acceptable cycle. James Leonard

BBC Music Magazine

Rattle's long-awaited Beethoven cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic is on the whole a triumph -- a superbly played account by one of the world's great orchestras, under a conductor whose historically aware performances never fail to stamp the music with real personality.... Rattle's must now be the strongest recommendation among modern Beethoven cycles. Misha Donat

Los Angeles Times

Rattle...brings such vitality and personality to the symphonies that they sound revolutionary and spiritually embracing all over again. Mark Swed

Fanfare

On balance, I would rank Rattle’s achievement in this set of the symphonies just below that of Abbado’s but far ahead of Barenboim, Norrington, and most other recent complete cycles. The magnificence of the Vienna Philharmonic can’t be underestimated, and the EMI engineers have provided full-throated, clear-voiced engineering within the wonderfully resonant Vienna acoustic. The set is sumptuously packaged in a sturdy box that should hold up for years. I think the performances will, too. Christopher Abbot