Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonard Bernstein, Regina Sarfaty :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9; Overtures; Violin Concerto (Limited Edition) [Box Set]

Bernstein's First, Quite Possibly, Best, Beethoven Symphony

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those wondering why Leonard Bernstein was such an important, exciting conductor, there's no better introduction than these fine early stereo recordings he made with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Critics have celebrated these as exciting, revelatory accounts, almost as memorable as those from George Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra and Herbert von Karajan and the Berliner Philharmoniker, which were recorded almost at the same time as Bernstein's. The only reason why I'd give higher recommendations to Szell's and Karajan's cycles lies primarily with the acoustical qualities of the recording studios (In Karajan's case the converted Berlin church where he made most of his 1960s and 1970s recordings with the Berliner Philharmoniker was sonically the best at that time.) and the overall quality of the musicianship of their respective ensembles, which I would have to rate slightly higher than the New York Philharmonic's. The two finest recordings from Bernstein's New York Philharmonic cycle are those with of the 3rd and 5th symphonies which remain two of the most dramatic recordings of these pieces that I've heard. Overall, I think this set deserves favorable comparisons with his mid 1970s Deutsche Grammophon cycle recorded with the Wiener Philharmoniker during live performances at Vienna's Musikverein; the only exceptional differences are the slightly warmer acoustics of the orchestra and concert hall in the 1970s cycle, and Bernstein's usage of slightly quicker tempi and smaller orchestral forces. If you're looking for an alternative traditional Beethoven symphony cycle, then you won't miss by acquiring this early Bernstein cycle."

Bernstein's early Beethoven makes an enticing bargain

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I wonder if Leonard Bernstein was the first American conductor to record a complete Beethoven cycle? He must have been, and two of these performances--the Eroica and the Fifth Sym. -- were made famous as vehicles for LB's television talks in the Fities and Sixties. Millions of post-war kids learned from them and I'm one. In retrospect Bernstein's Beethoven wasn't as propulsive and exciting as memory made them. But these performances are full-boded, direct, and satisfying. Perhaps the authority of Karajan and the Berlin Phil. isn't present, but even so, Sony is offering the cycle as a tremendous bargain, all the more so if you buy it used at Amazon Marketplace. Several overtures are thrown in, along with Isaac Stern's excellent account of the Violin Concerto (conductor and soloist are in sympathy, as always, but this is one of their poorest sounding recordings, unfortunately).



LB used a big orchestra for his Beethoven, and the Columbia Records engineers caught them in a big, reverberant space. If you want to hear this music on a modest scale or with historical touches, lok elsewhere. After he decamped to Europe, Bernstein made a second Beethoven cycle with the Vienna Phil. that's leaner, faster, but somewhat lacking in the excitment of discovery that one heard the first time around."

Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic at their finest

King Lemuel | Puyallup, WA | 09/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this set (a brand new Borders remainder) thru Amazon Marketplace for a steal--$6.87 including s/h! I also have the Columbia 2 eye LP boxed set in great shape that has a nice booklet "The Bernstein Years" that includes a complete Bernstein/ NY Philharmonic Columbia discography. Since I have the LPs, the low CD price helped me to buy.



I love the entire set. I am hard pressed to pick a favorite performance, though I do love the 3rd and the 7th symphonies (especially the last two movements of the 7th). Just about the only thing disappointing with this CD box are the liner notes. Only a track listing is given. Yet even here there is a redeeming feature: the date and recording location is given for each symphony.



This music is definitely 60s stereo with some instruments occasionally isolated in either the left or right channels, reminiscent of the Beatles or the Doors. The sound is somewhat raw, including the sounds of the bows. Some of the orchestras from Europe bring to mind a precision drill team that has spent too much time out on the parade ground. This is not the case at all with the New York Philharmonic, though they too are very accomplished. It is just that the jockey (Bernstein) has not gone to the whip once too often and beat the crap out of them. They have some spontaneity left. They are not robots making music; they still are musicians that feel the vibes as they make music.



Besides the power, the glory, and the majesty, these symphonies are overflowing with joy and happiness. If you are ever feeling down, listen to the fourth movement of Beethoven's 5th! Bernstein has a way of bringing out this exuberance better than just anybody. Not just with the NY Phil, this exuberance will be found in his Vienna Phil Beethoven Symphony cycle recordings as well.



There are many fine recordings of these symphonies and this box set easily ranks among the finest.





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