Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos (2004)

Part of the coveted White Box series from Naxos, Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos is an affordable introductory set for beginners as well as an attractive item for collectors. These fine recordings were previously issued as separate albums, and the unusual arrangement of the pieces corresponds with the original releases. The nine symphonies, recorded in 1995, are presented on the first five CDs; the 1988 performances of the piano concertos and the Rondo in B flat major are assigned to the three ... Read More

Part of the coveted White Box series from Naxos, Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies and Piano Concertos is an affordable introductory set for beginners as well as an attractive item for collectors. These fine recordings were previously issued as separate albums, and the unusual arrangement of the pieces corresponds with the original releases. The nine symphonies, recorded in 1995, are presented on the first five CDs; the 1988 performances of the piano concertos and the Rondo in B flat major are assigned to the three remaining discs. The Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia, directed by Béla Drahos, plays the symphonies on modern instruments, though the ensemble's lean sound and general adherence to period practices put these interpretations much closer to the Gardiner/Norrington school of thought than to the Furtwängler/Karajan tradition. While they are a little short on drama, the performances are always clear and coherent, and the recorded sound is the best Naxos can provide. Pianist Stefan Vladar and the... Read Less