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
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 |
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 |
Sorry, I answered as though you asked for Symphony cycles. I agree with @goofyfoot that you might be better off with selections that don't all come in the same box. Though big boxes may be cheap per disk. |
