Beethoven: Complete Works

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CD - Box Set

  • Release Date: 10/09/2007
  • 85 Disc Set
  • Sales Rank: 509
  • Label: BRILLIANT CLASSICS
  • UPC: 842977035254
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Listener Rating: (4 ratings)

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  • Overview
  • Tracks
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Customer Reviews
  • Details & Credits
Track List
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Beethoven: Complete Works

Disc 1
1LISTENSymphony No. 1 in C major / Ludwig van Beethoven
2LISTENSymphony No. 1 in C major / Ludwig van Beethoven
3LISTENSymphony No. 1 in C major / Ludwig van Beethoven
4LISTENSymphony No. 1 in C major / Ludwig van Beethoven
5LISTENSymphony No. 3 in E flat / Ludwig van Beethoven
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Disc 2
1LISTENSymphony No. 2 in D major / Ludwig van Beethoven
2LISTENSymphony No. 2 in D major / Ludwig van Beethoven
3LISTENSymphony No. 2 in D major / Ludwig van Beethoven
4LISTENSymphony No. 2 in D major / Ludwig van Beethoven
5LISTENSymphony No. 7 in A major / Ludwig van Beethoven
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Disc 3
1LISTENSymphony No. 6 in F major / Ludwig van Beethoven
2LISTENSymphony No. 6 in F major / Ludwig van Beethoven
3LISTENSymphony No. 6 in F major / Ludwig van Beethoven
4LISTENSymphony No. 6 in F major / Ludwig van Beethoven
5LISTENSymphony No. 6 in F major / Ludwig van Beethoven
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Disc 4
1LISTENSymphony No. 4 in B flat / Ludwig van Beethoven
2LISTENSymphony No. 4 in B flat / Ludwig van Beethoven
3LISTENSymphony No. 4 in B flat / Ludwig van Beethoven
4LISTENSymphony No. 4 in B flat / Ludwig van Beethoven
5LISTENSymphony No. 5 in C minor / Ludwig van Beethoven
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Editorial Reviews

The first thing to say about this hefty 85-CD box set is what an astonishing bargain it is. For about a dollar and a half per disc, or the cost of a few months of basic cable TV, you can own recordings of every score Ludwig van Beethoven wrote -- including, of course, some of the greatest monuments of Western classical music. The second point is that, despite Brilliant Classics' budget price, there's very little compromise in quality. The performances are by and large excellent, assembled with care to match thrift with high artistic standards, and you'll be surprised by how many first-rank performers are represented, including some of the finest Beethoven interpreters of the last 50 years. The bulk of the set consists of recordings licensed from other labels (many from Universal Classics' vast out-of-print holdings) and range in date from the 1950s up to the present day. Cherry-picking highlights is a challenge in a collection of this breadth, so let's start right at the top: Kurt Masur and the venerable Gewandhaus Orchestra performing the nine magnificent symphonies. Recorded in 1974, these are compelling and stimulating accounts, and their lack of idiosyncrasies makes them a fine choice for first-timers. Henryk Szeryng's 1973 Violin Concerto, with Bernard Haitink leading the Concertgebouw Orchestra, is similarly persuasive, while Arthur Grumiaux and Clara Haskil offer distinguished readings of the violin sonatas -- although the constricted mid-'50s sound quality will be a turn-off to some. Counterbalancing this drawback are Heinrich Schiff's and Till Fellner's singing performances of the cello sonatas, superbly recorded in 1998 with modern digital technology. Moving down the list of masterworks, the Guarneri Quartet's accounts of the string quartets are competitive with the best available, while the Borodin Trio offers richly Romantic, satisfying interpretations of the piano trios, on recordings licensed from Chandos. The solo piano music is equally strong, with Friedrich Gulda's invigorating set of the piano sonatas, originally released on Amadeo in the '60s, and, from the same era, Alfred Brendel's technically immaculate performances of the piano variations, first issued on Vox. The large-scale works impress nearly as much, with Colin Davis leading the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the splendid Missa Solemnis and Christoph von Dohnanyi directing an all-German-speaking cast in Fidelio, Beethoven's only opera. Filling out the comprehensive set are brand-new recordings of seldom-heard folksongs, canons, and other curiosities, alongside a large inventory of chamber music, dances, overtures, and lots more that must remain unmentioned. Housed in a sturdy cardboard box, the CDs are enclosed in space-saving slip sleeves and include a companion CD-ROM (PC only) with libretti and liner notes. For aficionados, it goes without saying that some performances won't measure up to personal favorites, but for the average listener or local library, you won't find a better buy. Still hesitating? Consider this: If you tried to purchase this set track-by-track at the standard download price, you wouldn't get past disc 13 before the cost surpassed this incredible deal. [Note: Brilliant Classics has also realeased complete Mozart and Bach editions, with even lower per-disc costs.] EJ Johnson, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

A Beautiful Findby Anonymous

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January 03, 2009: As a student of classical music, I strive to find the complete works of my favorite composers... and Beethoven, being my absolute favorite, I was excited to find this and recieve this as a present.

Considering that Beethoven is in my opinion the greatest composer that ever lived, I have to say that some pieces are lacking due to interpretation yet the lesser known pieces, from the variations from Alfred Brendel to the beautifully paced Wellington Victory Symphony conducted by Sir Neville Marriner, you gain true insite in the amazing composition of Beethoven.

The Symphonies were lacking, in my opinion, the Fifth did not have the fire I'd expect from the first movement and the last movement did not have the majestic nature of the finale. However, the Ninth was what brought me to greatest disapointment; Kurt Masur, in my opinion, did not bring the high point of the last movement to it's full potential, limiting it with a very stacatto feeling that was origionally to be written when Beethoven first composed the Symphony long before it was to be the Ninth. However, I will note that I compare all Symphony Cycles to the cycle recording made by Wilhelm Furtwangler, who sadly is becoming less and less well known. His recording of the Ninth is still a reference point to modern conductors and listeners.

I also have to say that the Piano Sonatas lacked the fire and passion that is famous of Beethoven. Gulda did not bring the emotion that I expected. Honestly, it did not pull my heart and that is what I expect from the piano sonatas. I recommend the recordings done by Daniel Barenboim, who is aclaimed for his interpertation of the Eight, Fourteenth, and Twenty-Third Piano Sonatas.

However, the Guarneri Quartet is one of the many highlights of this box set. They truely bring the fun and passion to the String Quartets of Beethoven and are highly reccommended outside of this box set as well, one of the quality recordings that are a rare find for such a great price.

Despite this, I have to say that the real treat of this box set is the minor pieces. Few know of the Wellington Victory Symphony nor the variations. Most of these pieces are had to find in the first place but thankfully, a true lover of Beethoven will rellish in his Scottish Songs that would be near impossible to find outside this box set as well as the long list of Works without Opus.

Overall, this is a great box set that I would highly reccommend to anyone (with the exception of the Symphonies and Piano Sonatas, but that is my opinion). But beware, the box tears easy.

I Also Recommend: Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies [Box Set], Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas [Box Set].

BEST gift ever given!by Anonymous

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September 04, 2008: I gave this collection to a friend as a gift. I have never seen anyone so happy to receive any gift. It was all that could be talked about. A year later it is still visably present and listened to daily. If you know someone who loves Bach--this is the ultimate gift.


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