Anyone Heard the Beethoven Symphonies by Van Immerseel

[james]

I have read good reviews of the following ..



which I understand is a performance on period instruments of the Beethoven symphonies.

Has anyone heard them ?

I really wonder if I need another set

james

[fergus]

I have not heard them James but I too have read good things about that cycle.

I you do not already have it I can strongly recommend this cycle to you....



....it tops the von Karajan cycle IMHO and at the price it is a steal!

[Seán]

I have not heard them James but I too have read good things about that cycle.

I you do not already have it I can strongly recommend this cycle to you....



....it tops the von Karajan cycle IMHO and at the price it is a steal!

I'd second that recommendation, it is splendid and I, too, may prefer it ti the HvK/BPO 1962 set. Bruggen's set is very good if you are looking for a small outfit using period instruments. The Vänskä/Minnesota Orchestra set is worth getting too, as is the Mackerras/RLPO and...............

[james]

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I have decided to buy the Cluytens set -- I have ordered it and should have it from amazon.co.uk / marketplace in the new year. It costs about Euro 15 with postage so it is well worth trying. According to the reviews on amazon it was originally issued as 'Classics for Pleasure'. I had the 9th on this label on a single LP and I remember they split one of the movements across sides. But apart from that I liked the performance. But it was years ago and I cant remember the conductor.

james

[fergus]

.... I have decided to buy the Cluytens set

Do let us know how you get on with that set James when you eventually get it.

[james]

Will do ..

[mcq]

You can't go wrong with the Cluytens set at that price, James. I'm sure you will enjoy it. I do own a copy of Jos van Immerseel's Beethoven and I really enjoy it. I overdosed on Beethoven's symphonic cycle in my younger days - so much so that I don't listen to too much of it nowadays. (I'd prefer to hear the string quartets, the piano sonatas or the violin sonatas.) However, van Immerseel brings a mixture of energy and warmth to Beethoven that I really like. It's also the best set on period instruments that I've heard. It's a world away from Karajan, but I think the great music can withstand many different types of interpretations. The modern way of interpreting Beethoven - chamber-sized ensemble with modern instruments (except for brass and percussion) adopting period manners - is a very interesting one. Paavo Jarvi's cycle on RCA with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen looks to be one of the best current exponents of this approach.

[james]

Thanks, I have ordered the Cluytens and then maybe, after that, I will try the Jos van Immerseel's set ... .

Something I would really recommend in Beethoven is the Litsz transcriptions for piano of the symphonies. It gives a whole new view of them ..

james

[mcq]

The Cyprien Katsaris set of Liszt's piano transcriptions of the Beethoven symphonies (available on Teldec) are fabulous and are unbeatable, in my opinion.

[james]

Thanks -- I actually have a copy of that piano performance and quite like them. [I also have copies of a few individual symphonies such as Glenn Gould for no six and a weird version of no nine transcribed by Wagner for piano, solists and choir].