Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Riccardo Muti
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Warner
Release: 1998
Size: 1.67 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
CD 01
Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21
01. I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
02. II. Andante cantabile con moto
03. III. Menuetto. Allegro molto e vivace
04. IV. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55, ‘Eroica’
05. I. Allegro con brio
06. II. Marcia funebre (Adagio assai)
07. III. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
08. IV. Finale (Allegro molto)
CD 02
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36
01. I. Adagio – Allegro con brio
02. II. Larghetto
03. III. Scherzo. Allegro
04. IV. Allegro molto
Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat Major, Op. 60
05. I. Adagio – Allegro vivace
06. II. Adagio
07. III. Menuetto. Allegro vivace
08. IV. Allegro ma non troppo
CD 03
Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
01. I. Allegro con brio
02. II. Andante con moto
03. III. Allegro –
04. IV. Allegro – Presto
Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”
05. I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande. Allegro ma non troppo
06. II. Scene am Bach. Andante molto moto
07. III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute. Allegro
08. IV. Gewitter. Sturm. Allegro –
09. V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm. Allegretto
CD 04
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
01. I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
02. II. Allegretto
03. III. Presto – Assai meno presto
04. IV. Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
05. I. Allegro vivace e con brio
06. II. Allegretto scherzando
07. III. Tempo di menuetto
08. IV. Allegro vivace
CD 05
Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 “Choral”
01. I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
02. II. Molto vivace – Presto
03. III. Adagio molto e cantabile – Andante moderato
04. IV. Presto – “O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!” (Ode to Joy)
CD 06
01. Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b
Fidelio, Op. 72b
02. Overture
The Consecration of the House Op. 124
03. Overture “Die Weihe des Hauses”
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
04. I. Allegro con brio
05. II. Largo
06. III. Rondo. Allegro
Recorded between 1985 and 1988, Riccardo Muti’s cycle of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies offers mainstream interpretations that will satisfy most listeners’ needs. The Philadelphia Orchestra is not as lush as it was in its heyday under Eugene Ormandy, because Muti is mindful of the essential Classical nature of these works. While he doesn’t strive for a period sound, but uses modern instruments and conducts a full orchestra, his Beethoven is far from old-fashioned or stodgy. The listener who seeks an intelligent, coherent Beethoven set that meets expectations of great technical playing, accurate and expressive performances, and superb sound quality will be quite happy with this one and will not have to worry unduly about issues of historical authenticity. Muti takes repeats, follows conventional tempos, adheres to what’s on the printed page, and makes no idiosyncratic changes or edits, so his Beethoven is uncontroversial and all the better for it. Included as rather spectacular filler is Muti’s 1977 recording with Sviatoslav Richter of the Piano Concerto No. 3, accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Leonore Overture No. 3, the Fidelio Overture, and The Consecration of the House Overture, all with the Philadelphians. Bearing in mind that these are early digital recordings (with the exception of the Richter performance, which is analog), the sound is excellent for its time and quite warm and vibrant.