Beethoven: The Symphonies [Box Set] (2007)

Recorded between 1972 and 1974 and released in time for Christmas in 1975, Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's stereo cycle of Beethoven's symphonies was a classic in its time and remains so 30 years later in this splendidly remastered 2007 re-release. As was typical of the Solti/Chicago partnership, the performances here are big boned, heavy muscled, and very aggressive with highly dramatic conducting matched by hugely powerful playing. Though for some listeners, Solti and the Chicago's approach to the First ... Read More

Recorded between 1972 and 1974 and released in time for Christmas in 1975, Georg Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's stereo cycle of Beethoven's symphonies was a classic in its time and remains so 30 years later in this splendidly remastered 2007 re-release. As was typical of the Solti/Chicago partnership, the performances here are big boned, heavy muscled, and very aggressive with highly dramatic conducting matched by hugely powerful playing. Though for some listeners, Solti and the Chicago's approach to the First and Second may be too massive and their way with the Fourth and Sixth too monumental, few would argue they aren't great performances of their kind. More importantly, Solti and the Chicago's Fifth is unbelievably ferocious, their Seventh incredibly vital, their Eighth flat-out hilarious, and their Ninth appropriately heaven storming and star spanning with a final coda that will leave listeners gasping. And even with the then-rarely observed exposition repeat in the opening Allegro con... Read Less