Otto Klemperer and the New Philharmonia would be my preference ahead of the 1963 DG Karajan!
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
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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. |
Jasonbourne52, I appreciate your recommendations, but am only looking for complete works sets at present, Meim and goofyfoot, I’m looking for complete works sets to get a comprehensive sampling, this time, of Beethoven’s work. I’m new at listening to classical music. If I find that I like any of his works enough to want a better rendition, I’ll pursue getting them. The box sets are so economical they’re hard to pass up as a way to learn in one fell swoop about some of the best Classical composers and the scope of their work. I’ve enjoyed the Bach and Mozart sets so far. Reviews are excellent resources too as you mentioned goofyfoot. At site members suggestions I’ve acquired two big fat books of them, the "2009 Penguin Guide" and "1001 Classical Records You Must Hear Before You Die". At age 70 I’ve gpt to step it up to reach the latter goal and complete works sets fit the bill in that regard. Mike |
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