Reader's Poll: Your favorite Beethoven's 3rd Symphony (Eroica)
What are your favorite vinyl performances and recordings of Beethoven's 3rd Symphony (Eroica)? Please click on the comments link below to tell us your top choices.
Carl Schuricht, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra -- French EMI/HMV FALP 574 mono George Szell, Cleveland Symphony -- Epic BC 1001 or Columbia SAX 2577 stereo
I here Furtwangler 1944 is great. The ASD 2562 of SAX 2364 Klemperer on deck. Probably have the Szell and Monteux, but US vics is not the best (got the vics and a dutch Fontana of the Szell). Andy above recommending Decca pressed UK VICS. Others of interest: Classic Records reissue of Bruno Walter Columbia Sym. (3 different original pressings on deck) Vienna State Opera Orchestra/Hermann Scherchen Speakers Corner/Westminster LP WST14045 http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/s/spk14045a.php (This one looks very interesting and out of print) Equally fascinatings is the Super Analog KIJC-9186 of Monteux VICS 1036 which is tube mastered: http://collectorsfrenzy.com/details/301209177022/SUPER_ANALOGUE_DISC_PIERRE_MONTEUX_BEETHOVEN_SYMPHONY_No3 ASD 2348 Beethoven Symphony 3 Eroica BBCSO Barbirolli Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony (Mercury, 1957) (I've got this and I think sonically might be challenged) Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic (DG, 1962) (Got that, but maybe not Red stereo) Previusly mentioned Leibowitz Chesky CD/Reader's Digest LP set some like. CFP4144101 EMI 1C 051 -02507 Q $400 ASD426 Beethoven: Symphony 3 (7/7) BPO Kempe (luke warm review by AQL on this, but perhaps the late concert classic might do something.)
And of course a whole BBC movie Beethoven/s Eroica (Gardiner): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtA7m3viB70
The fact that Chesky saw fit to reissue the Eroica as a single on CD makes it very interesting, and I must say the UK Reader Digest Box would be very, very interesting as pressed by Decca and therefore likely not really Dynagroove. The US box is also good despite dynagroove label.
One (helluva) straggler here; a French Accord LP with Karl Ritter directing Orchestra Of The Vienna Concert Society. Karl Ritter is a fake name and it is likely Hans Swarowsky conducting. Protoges included Claudio Abbado, Zubin Mehta, Leonid Nikolaev, Paul Angerer, Iván Fischer, etc.
In the effort to suss this out found a great site with many original recordings used by major labels (Nonesuch, Mercury, etc.) This is material not on CD so these downloads are a great way to explore these LPs: http://www.rediscovery.us/index.html
Random notes format here to start: Karajan 1962 DG (part of box) is fine, but not in love with performance or in lust with my 1962 stampers (orignal pressing).
The Accord, "Karl Ritter" is just awful sounding.
The American pressed Leibowitz Reader's Digest has pretty good sonics (something like 37s matrix mastering), but does not quite do it for me.
The american Vics with monteux trully is a nice performance and I can see why Andy likes it, despite high noise levels and the american early vics recordy sound it is a musical winner. I'll be trampling women and children if I can land a Super Analogue of the Monteux.
i am listening to a six-eye Columbia with Bruno Walter (which is an orignal pressing). My copy is great shape and has very inviting sonics. Walter's interpretation is unique and great. Snag this is given the opportunity. Overall, much better than the american vics with monteux sonically and the performance is also a must hear.Sonically a surprise, as the last few random 6 eyes I've played have been more in the sonic Ugh department. An incredible performance. I would love to hear the Classic Records reissue since it was done with Grundman's tube setup. The Six eye I am sure would beat it in some very important areas, so I would not go crazy with wth the wallet for the Classic. Had a demo Oddyssey reissue from a radio station and it was noisier than 6 eye and the sound had pretty good drive, but the six eye surpasses it by a wide margin sonically.
My Szell third is now in the trash. The dutch Fontana was horrific sounding. Can't comment on performance as I couldn't take it. (I am this is on youtube.)
My ASD2562 is an all together different kind of performance from Monteux or Walter. Andy B&S would probably add somet sonic nicities, but this postage stamp pressing (ASD reisssue of SAX) has got a lot of drive and control in the bass while still have much of the musicality of a nice tube pressing. For me, the Walter sonically wins and has a more unique performance. AQL likes to complain about Klemperer slow classic approach, but it is effective if more viscerally exciting than mentally. I think many consider Klemperer superior, but for me it is Walter and Monteux.
Last up is the Mercury SR90011, a very eary one. Has kind of an antique sound and Minneapolis with Dorati is not pushing any buttons for me. It does develop some power. Perhaps the sonics are obscuring some of the fine points of Dorati's perfromance. Like a B movie overall.
My recommendations. I'd love to here the British VICS with Monteux. That and the Walter 6 eye are the best budget plays. The ASD Klemperer reissue is a budget contender too. I'd love to hear the rare Audiophile pressings of the Walter (Classic Records) and Monteux (King Super Analogue). I would not walk by an orginal gold label Epic with Szell (not sure if AQL has heard recently), but I'd be surprised if it was a sonic match for the excellent Walter 6 eye..
I've got all the Szell Epics except 3, 7, and 9, so as much I wish I could comment on the Szell Eroica, it'll have to wait until I find a decent copy. I've seen that Classic of the Walter floating around Ebay. There may be a copy up now for not too much.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteRene Leibowitz and RPO on Reader's Digest/Chesky.
Cheers,
Douglas (UK)
Douglas, you are really a proponent of that Leibowitz set!
DeleteDefinitely - grew up with it.
DeleteSuperb performances with original insight of a composer (an early Boulez) together with brilliant sonics that still sound good today.
Can't go wrong with the whole set.
Another cycle that I would go with is that of Cluytens and BPO on CFP.
Cheers,
Douglas (UK)
I'll have to go with:
ReplyDeleteFor performance:
Carl Schuricht, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra -- French EMI/HMV FALP 574 mono
George Szell, Cleveland Symphony -- Epic BC 1001 or Columbia SAX 2577 stereo
For me:
ReplyDeleteFurtwangler and the VPO on ALP1060
Monteux and the VPO on VICS 1036
Klemperer and the Philharmonia on SAX 2364
I here Furtwangler 1944 is great.
ReplyDeleteThe ASD 2562 of SAX 2364 Klemperer on deck.
Probably have the Szell and Monteux, but US vics is not the best (got the vics and a dutch Fontana of the Szell).
Andy above recommending Decca pressed UK VICS.
Others of interest:
Classic Records reissue of Bruno Walter Columbia Sym. (3 different original pressings on deck)
Vienna State Opera Orchestra/Hermann Scherchen Speakers Corner/Westminster LP WST14045
http://www.classical.net/~music/recs/reviews/s/spk14045a.php (This one looks very interesting and out of print)
Equally fascinatings is the Super Analog KIJC-9186 of Monteux VICS 1036 which is tube mastered:
http://collectorsfrenzy.com/details/301209177022/SUPER_ANALOGUE_DISC_PIERRE_MONTEUX_BEETHOVEN_SYMPHONY_No3
ASD 2348 Beethoven Symphony 3 Eroica BBCSO Barbirolli
Antal Dorati, Minneapolis Symphony (Mercury, 1957) (I've got this and I think sonically might be challenged)
Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic (DG, 1962) (Got that, but maybe not Red stereo)
Previusly mentioned Leibowitz Chesky CD/Reader's Digest LP set some like.
CFP4144101 EMI 1C 051 -02507 Q $400 ASD426 Beethoven: Symphony 3 (7/7) BPO Kempe
(luke warm review by AQL on this, but perhaps the late concert classic might do something.)
And of course a whole BBC movie Beethoven/s Eroica (Gardiner):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtA7m3viB70
The fact that Chesky saw fit to reissue the Eroica as a single on CD makes it very interesting, and I must say the UK Reader Digest Box would be very, very interesting as pressed by Decca and therefore likely not really Dynagroove. The US box is also good despite dynagroove label.
One (helluva) straggler here; a French Accord LP with Karl Ritter directing Orchestra Of The Vienna Concert Society. Karl Ritter is a fake name and it is likely Hans Swarowsky conducting. Protoges included Claudio Abbado, Zubin Mehta, Leonid Nikolaev, Paul Angerer, Iván Fischer, etc.
DeleteIn the effort to suss this out found a great site with many original recordings used by major labels (Nonesuch, Mercury, etc.) This is material not on CD so these downloads are a great way to explore these LPs:
http://www.rediscovery.us/index.html
Don't miss the slideshow of super cheesey covers!
Random notes format here to start:
DeleteKarajan 1962 DG (part of box) is fine, but not in love with performance or in lust with my 1962 stampers (orignal pressing).
The Accord, "Karl Ritter" is just awful sounding.
The American pressed Leibowitz Reader's Digest has pretty good sonics (something like 37s matrix mastering), but does not quite do it for me.
The american Vics with monteux trully is a nice performance and I can see why Andy likes it, despite high noise levels and the american early vics recordy sound it is a musical winner. I'll be trampling women and children if I can land a Super Analogue of the Monteux.
i am listening to a six-eye Columbia with Bruno Walter (which is an orignal pressing). My copy is great shape and has very inviting sonics. Walter's interpretation is unique and great. Snag this is given the opportunity. Overall, much better than the american vics with monteux sonically and the performance is also a must hear.Sonically a surprise, as the last few random 6 eyes I've played have been more in the sonic Ugh department. An incredible performance. I would love to hear the Classic Records reissue since it was done with Grundman's tube setup. The Six eye I am sure would beat it in some very important areas, so I would not go crazy with wth the wallet for the Classic. Had a demo Oddyssey reissue from a radio station and it was noisier than 6 eye and the sound had pretty good drive, but the six eye surpasses it by a wide margin sonically.
My Szell third is now in the trash. The dutch Fontana was horrific sounding. Can't comment on performance as I couldn't take it. (I am this is on youtube.)
My ASD2562 is an all together different kind of performance from Monteux or Walter. Andy B&S would probably add somet sonic nicities, but this postage stamp pressing (ASD reisssue of SAX) has got a lot of drive and control in the bass while still have much of the musicality of a nice tube pressing. For me, the Walter sonically wins and has a more unique performance. AQL likes to complain about Klemperer slow classic approach, but it is effective if more viscerally exciting than mentally. I think many consider Klemperer superior, but for me it is Walter and Monteux.
Last up is the Mercury SR90011, a very eary one. Has kind of an antique sound and Minneapolis with Dorati is not pushing any buttons for me. It does develop some power. Perhaps the sonics are obscuring some of the fine points of Dorati's perfromance. Like a B movie overall.
My recommendations. I'd love to here the British VICS with Monteux. That and the Walter 6 eye are the best budget plays. The ASD Klemperer reissue is a budget contender too. I'd love to hear the rare Audiophile pressings of the Walter (Classic Records) and Monteux (King Super Analogue). I would not walk by an orginal gold label Epic with Szell (not sure if AQL has heard recently), but I'd be surprised if it was a sonic match for the excellent Walter 6 eye..
I've got all the Szell Epics except 3, 7, and 9, so as much I wish I could comment on the Szell Eroica, it'll have to wait until I find a decent copy. I've seen that Classic of the Walter floating around Ebay. There may be a copy up now for not too much.
Delete