Hogwood: Beethoven – The Symphonies (5 CD box set, APE)

Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music
Conductor: Christopher Hogwood
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 5 CD box set
Format: APE (tracks+cue)
Label: Decca
Size: 1.44 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

# Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (“Eroica”), Op. 55
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 6 in F major (“Pastoral”), Op. 68
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 5 in C minor (“Fate”), Op. 67
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Egmont, incidental music, Op. 84 Overture
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

# Symphony No. 9 in D minor (“Choral”), Op. 125
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
with Academy of Ancient Music (UK)

Disc 1:
01. Symphony No.1 in C, Op.21 – 1. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
02. Symphony No.1 in C, Op.21 – 2. Andante cantabile con moto
03. Symphony No.1 in C, Op.21 – 3. Menuetto (Allegro molto e vivace)
04. Symphony No.1 in C, Op.21 – 4. Finale (Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace)
05. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.55 -“Eroica” – 1. Allegro con brio
06. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.55 -“Eroica” – 2. Marcia funebre (Adagio assai)
07. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.55 -“Eroica” – 3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
08. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.55 -“Eroica” – 4. Finale (Allegro molto)

Disc 2:
01. Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36 – 1. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
02. Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36 – 2. Larghetto
03. Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36 – 3. Scherzo (Allegro)
04. Symphony No.2 in D, Op.36 – 4. Allegro molto
05. Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68 -“Pastoral” – 1. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande: Allegro ma non troppo
06. Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68 -“Pastoral” – 2. Szene am Bach: (Andante molto mosso)
07. Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68 -“Pastoral” – 3. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute (Allegro)
08. Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68 -“Pastoral” – 4. Gewitter, Sturm (Allegro)
09. Symphony No.6 in F, Op.68 -“Pastoral” – 5. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm: Allegretto

Disc 3:
01. Symphony No.4 in B flat, Op.60 – 1. Adagio – Allegro vivace
02. Symphony No.4 in B flat, Op.60 – 2. Adagio
03. Symphony No.4 in B flat, Op.60 – 3. Allegro vivace
04. Symphony No.4 in B flat, Op.60 – 4. Allegro ma non troppo
05. Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 – 1. Allegro con brio
06. Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 – 2. Andante con moto
07. Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 – 3. Allegro
08. Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 – 4. Allegro

Disc 4:
01. Overture “Coriolan”, Op.62
02. Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92 – 1. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
03. Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92 – 2. Allegretto
04. Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92 – 3. Presto – Assai meno presto
05. Symphony No.7 in A, Op.92 – 4. Allegro con brio
06. Symphony No.8 in F, Op.93 – 1. Allegro vivace e con brio
07. Symphony No.8 in F, Op.93 – 2. Allegretto scherzando
08. Symphony No.8 in F, Op.93 – 3. Tempo di menuetto
09. Symphony No.8 in F, Op.93 – 4. Allegro vivace

Disc 5:
01. Overture – Music to Goethe’s Tragedy “Egmont” op.84
02. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
03. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 2. Molto vivace
04. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 3. Adagio molto e cantabile
05. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 4. Presto – Allegro assai

Superb Beethoven cycle

This Beethoven cycle is first-rate! Hogwood and the other musicians provide compelling interpretations of each of the symphonies. Artistic and subjective choices for tempos, balance, and phrasing lead to musically satisfying and very enjoyable performances. The ensemble playing is impeccable. I have downloaded these symphonies onto my mp3 player where I can fully appreciate the clarity of the recording. For example, the woodwind calls in the Sixth symphony are very distinct. I own complete sets by Toscanini and Karajan(1963), which I also enjoy and recommend, but the recording quality of this set is superior to those, and the musical interpretation is equally enjoyable. I would enthusiastically recommend this set to anyone.

September 25, 2014: Yesterday I learned that Christopher Hogwood has passed away. Since then I have listened to the second, fourth, fifth and sixth symphonies. They are all sublime! I love the sound of the orchestra, captured well by the clarity of the recording. And the interpretations still persuade. I’ve listened to these recordings off and on for many years now and do not tire of them. As a set, they remain in the company of my favorites (Toscanini, Karajan 63, Szell, Immerseel, Mackerras (Scottish Chamber Orch and Philharmonia Orch), Bernstein (Sony, though DG has some great performances), and assorted Furtwanglers).