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Beethoven Complete Works boxed set recommendations

I’ve been thinking of getting one of the Beethoven "complete works" boxed sets currently available. The recent sets I’m aware of are the Naxos, Warner Classics, Brilliant and Deutsche Gramophone ones. If you are aware of any other current Beethoven complete works sets please let me know.. The Deutsche Gramophone set is currently an out of print limited edition, but possibly available second hand.

Which of these sets would you recommend? I am primarily interested in the quality of the performances and quality of the recordings. Some of the sets are more comprehensive than others, and include a greater number of Beethoven’s lesser known works and fragments, but that’s only of secondary interest to me. I’ve read some reviews online of these sets, but am interested in what you think, especially if you've had a chance to listen to or sample any of them. Thanks,

Mike

skyscraper
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 

Do you mean 'Complete Beethoven' , as in everything he wrote, or just recordings of the complete symphony cycle?

Cheers

skyscraper OP
829 posts
 

Rok2id, I meant "as in everything he wrote" or an approximation of the same, as none of the "Complete Works" sets has everything in it. From what I’ve been reading, some of the newest sets marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, are considerably more comprehensive than earlier "Complete Works" box sets. 

Mike

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Otto Klemperer and the New Philharmonia would be my preference ahead of the 1963 DG Karajan!

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

That EMI Klemperer 10 CD set of symphonies and overtures is available on eBay for $32.09 new with free shipping. 

goofyfoot's avatar
goofyfoot
1,369 posts
 

I would advise looking around for reviews. Gramohone Magazine is my most trusted source but if I had to choose from those you've mentioned, I'd go with the Deutsche Grammophon just for the Herbert von Karajan recordings. Anyway, DG certainly have some fine artists on their label.

Personally however, I would collect Beethoven recordings separately. For example The Florestan Trio's Piano Trios (Hyperion). The Takacs Quartet String Quartets (Decca), Isabelle Faust Violin Sonatas (Harmonia Mundi), ...

Here's a list of venerated Beethoven recordings from Gramophone;

https://www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/the-50-best-ludwig-van-beethoven-recordings

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