Ultimate Beethoven (2006)

Decca's five-CD set Ultimate Beethoven is a respectable beginner's introduction to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven because it presents his greatest masterworks in complete performances by major artists. Where some other collections present only short, thematic excerpts or single movements taken from larger works, obliging the listener to put in additional effort to hear the whole compositions, this set leaves nothing incomplete. Central to Beethoven's output are his symphonies, and the Symphony No. 5 in C minor; the ... Read More

Decca's five-CD set Ultimate Beethoven is a respectable beginner's introduction to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven because it presents his greatest masterworks in complete performances by major artists. Where some other collections present only short, thematic excerpts or single movements taken from larger works, obliging the listener to put in additional effort to hear the whole compositions, this set leaves nothing incomplete. Central to Beethoven's output are his symphonies, and the Symphony No. 5 in C minor; the Symphony No. 6 in F major, "Pastoral"; and the Symphony No. 9 in D minor, "Choral" have long been regarded as essential works. The Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major and the Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, "Emperor," similarly are regarded as supreme achievements, as is the Violin Concerto in D major, one of the finest in the genre. Of his piano sonatas, the Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, "Pathétique"; the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, "Moonlight"; and the Piano Sonata No. 23... Read Less