Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 2. Andante cantabile con moto
Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 3. Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace
Symphonie No. 1 en ut majeur, Op. 21: 4. Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 2. Larghetto
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 3. Scherzo: Allegro - Attacca
Symphonie No. 2 en re majeur, Op. 36: 4. Allegro molto
Track Listings (8) - Disc #2
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 1. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 2. Adagio
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 3. Allegro vivace
Symphonie No.4 en si bemol majeur, Op.60: 4. Allegro ma non troppo
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 1. Allegro con brio
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 2. Andante con moto
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 3. Allegro - attaca
Symphonie No.5 en ut mineur, Op.67: 4. Allegro
Karl Böhm's Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven cycle is Deutsche Grammophon's best kept secret. Not only is it the finest complete set of Beethoven symphonies in their catalog, it's also far and away the best recorded, ... more »and to make matters even more irresistible, it's also the least expensive (it's available on three "twofer" sets). These performances are typical: weighty, intense, powerful, and magnificently played. Listen especially to the (comparatively) neglected Fourth Symphony: if Böhm doesn't convince you that this is major Beethoven, then no one can. --David Hurwitz« less
Karl Böhm's Vienna Philharmonic Beethoven cycle is Deutsche Grammophon's best kept secret. Not only is it the finest complete set of Beethoven symphonies in their catalog, it's also far and away the best recorded, and to make matters even more irresistible, it's also the least expensive (it's available on three "twofer" sets). These performances are typical: weighty, intense, powerful, and magnificently played. Listen especially to the (comparatively) neglected Fourth Symphony: if Böhm doesn't convince you that this is major Beethoven, then no one can. --David Hurwitz
"While some criticism of Bohm's Beethoven Symphonies relate to his tempi being too slow, I nevertheless discovered that one of my biggest considerations in choosing a Beethoven conductor, (I do own others like Reiner, Hogwood, Toscanini), turned out to be over the timpani, not the tempo. I don't know about your ears, but I can't stand listening to Beethoven Symphonies by the supposed great conductors with out-of-tune musicians and timpani that sound like dead pots! Funny thing about this underrated conductor, Karl Bohm, his musicans are always in-tune and the timpani always resonate as an integral and balanced part of the orchestra and the score. Also important to me in choosing a conductor, Bohm consistently manages to bring a presence and sense of drama to these works that the so-called great conductors often fail to achieve. I'm not an expert, but maybe, that's the best part of his operatic skill coming through. P.S. Deutsche Gramophon no longer lists these Bohm recordings of the Beethoven cycle, as available."
Overall, just fablulous.
Laurence Leabow | Simi, Ca. USA | 04/25/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"So now I,ve heard them all. Nine symphonies on three DG doubles and I'm very happy. Below I wrote about the fifth and it's unfortunate. Now the good points. The playing is great. I have some recordings by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra that feature playing so "tight" that it's scary. Sometimes it works(third symphony: thumbs-up), sometimes it doesn't(No. 5). I have Solti's 80's version of Beethoven's seventh and eighth whichs features very accurate playing put a real sense that the musicians are afraid to make a mistake, and it sounds just empty. Other disks I have are just sloppy. But this Bohm cycle sounds like relaxed perfection. It's wonderful: even when the playing is very fast, they are just purring along. I love it! The sound of the recording is another plus. Clear, warm, lively and almost no analog hiss. The Solti above sounds like a concrete gymnasium, Szell like a recording studio, the Muti cycle too crowded, '62 Karajan too old, Walter noisy and like a warehouse, Kleiber dramatic but too dark. But the Bohm sounds like a first-rate concert hall. The music? I could go on and on about the excellence of the interpretations. I get the impression that Bohm has a mind for "the whole piece" that is superior to just about everybody. If I hear a No. 8 that surpasses his, or a more beautiful second movement of the sixth, or a seventh that NAILS the climax better, or a more gleeful 4, or a more complete ninth, my head will explode."
Bohm is one of the great Beethoven conductors
Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 08/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been collecting Karl Bohm's stereo recordings in earnest since 1993, and find his Beethoven among the best there is. This 2 disc set of Beethoven's Symphonies 1,2,4,and 5 should not disappoint anyone, unless they're really into the period instrument mentality of Hogwood, Gardiner, Norrington, Goodman, Weil, et al. The Vienna Philharmonic plays beautifully, and as you would expect, produce a burnished string and wind sound, wonderfully blended, but with clarity of lines where called for. Bohm is no speed demon, but he doesn't drag either: IV of Symphony 2 is slower than many I've heard, but it never drags.
I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that I believe Karl Bohm's Beethoven Symphony recordings from 1969-72 are better than Herbert von Karajan's 3 cycles with the Berlin Philharmonic, although there is no doubt Karajan is more marketed and celebrated by the public even 16 years after his death. Bohm is better interpretively, and has better sound in almost all movements of this symphony cycle. But he doesn't rely on dramatics to make his points: Bohm is solid as granite or the Rock of Gibralter, and you either like his approach or you don't. I do. About Karajan, his weakest cycle is the 1982-85 one, on DG. I would say the 1961-2 cycle is better, and the 1975-77 cycle best of Karajan's work, (both of these are DG also), but put them behind Bohm's cycle.
In addition to Bohm, I would recommend Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony(Sony Classical,for Symphonies 1 through 8, but not 9); Szell/Cleveland for 1,2,3,4,9 (Sony Classical), Bernstein/Vienna (DG).
In this particular release, I enjoyed all 4 symphonies, and found Symphony 5 to be among the best I've heard, along with Furtwangler (the Vienna Philharmonic recording, released in January 2005 by EMI), and Ormandy (Sony Classical, 2 CD set, with 6,7,and 8.)"
Overall, great performance
Laurence Leabow | 02/17/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought all of Beethoven symphonies' CDs (Symphony #1 to #9) which Bohm was the conductor. Overall, the music is great. Unlike Karajan, you can feel the emotion of each symphony.The only complaint I have is Symphony #5. The tempo a bit too slow, so you don't feel the power of the symphony's beginning. In this case, I would get Karajan's Symphony #5, because his is much better. Other than that, buy the whole set of symphonies by Bohm. You will not be disappointed.NOTE: I would give 5 stars if Symphony #5 is not the problem. To be accurate, I should give the whole set 4 and 3/4 stars, but Amazon's rating system does not give me that choice."
One of the very best for your buck
Richard Springs | Redmond, WA United States | 02/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All nine symphonies conducted by Bohm are right on the mark, executed in amazing clearity and articulation. The recordings are superb, but even more important in value is that these performances are some of the very best on cd today. Bohm's 2nd and 4th are outstanding in giving these often over looked works their due appeal and brilliance. Just check out the coda in the 1st mvt. of the 2nd, if that doesn't reveal the revolutionary aspect of Beethoven's work and Bohm's ability to expound on climax, nothing will. Some say Bohm's tempo's are a bit slow, yet I fail to find that is the case because the overall effect is exillerating! There is a reason why Bohm is known for being the last of the great Viennise conductors. Because he is, and his work never disappoints."