Beethoven’s nine symphonies – composed between 1800 and 1824 – are true cornerstones of the classical canon. Marking an irrefutable turning point in the history of music, they transformed audiences’ expectations of the symphony and influenced the genre’s future development through their experimental, dramatic and expressive weight. Conductors have long been drawn to the profundity of these works: a complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies is viewed as one of the ultimate challenges in the repertoire, and the performances in this set are undoubtedly among the greatest to have been recorded, illuminating the skill of the Staatskapelle Dresden and Herbert Blomstedt, one of the most distinguished conductors of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The symphonies trace Beethoven’s development as a composer, from the earlier works that document his emergence from the Viennese tradition, through to his experimental and critically divisive late style. Particularly famed for its landmark status in the history of music is the ‘Eroica’ Symphony (No.3), notable for its innovative approach to sonata form and embodiment of Beethoven’s ‘heroic’ style. Also included are the legendary Symphony No.5, known for its distinctive opening motif and rigorous large-scale structure, the dramatic ‘Pastoral’ Symphony, and the sophisticated Seventh Symphony. The collection is, of course, concluded by the monumental Symphony No.9 – known as the ‘Choral’ Symphony because of its ground-breaking, transcendent finale, sung here by the Dresden State Opera Chorus and a group of acclaimed soloists.
Over 30 years after their initial release, these recordings have remained one of the ultimate Beethoven symphony cycles, a testament to the quality of the performances and Blomstedt’s interpretations. Brought together in a set of excellent value, this 5-disc collection is a must-have addition to the libraries of classical music fans, old and new.
Other information:
- Recordings made in Lucaskirche, Dresden, 1975–1980
- ‘Herbert Blomstedt's Beethoven cycle with the Staatskapelle Dresden is one of the great ones, as much for the magnificent playing of this finest of all German orchestras as for Blomstedt's effortlessly musical interpretations.’ 10/10 for artistic quality and sound quality (David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 21: I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 21: II. Andante cantabile con moto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 21: III. Menuetto & Trio: Allegro molto e vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 21: IV. Finale: Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 55 ‘EROICA’: I. Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 55 ‘EROICA’: II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 55 ‘EROICA’: III. Scherzo & Trio: Allegro vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat, Op. 55 ‘EROICA’: IV. Allegro molto – Poco andante – Presto
Disk 2
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36: I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36: II. Larghetto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36: III. Scherzo & Trio: Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36: IV. Allegro molto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat, Op. 60: I. Adagio – Allegro vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat, Op. 60: II. Adagio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat, Op. 60: III. Menuetto: Allegro vivace – Trio: Un poco meno allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-Flat, Op. 60: IV. Allegro ma non troppo
Disk 3
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Op. 67: II. Andante con moto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Op. 67: III. Allegro
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegro – Presto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68 ‘PASTORAL’: I. Allegro ma non troppo (Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68 ‘PASTORAL’: II. Andante molto mosso (Szene am Bach)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68 ‘PASTORAL’: III. Allegro – sempre più stretto – In tempo d’allegro – Tempo I – Presto (Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68 ‘PASTORAL’: IV. Allegro (Gewitter, Sturm)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68 ‘PASTORAL’: V. Allegretto (Hirtengesang, frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm)
Disk 4
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92: I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92: II. Allegretto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92: III. Presto – Assai meno presto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92: IV. Allegro con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93: I. Allegro vivace e con brio
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93: II. Allegretto scherzando
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93: III. Tempo di Menuetto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F, Op. 93: IV. Allegro vivace
Disk 5
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 ‘CHORAL’: I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 ‘CHORAL’: II. Molto vivace – Presto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 ‘CHORAL’: III. Adagio molto e cantabile – Andante moderato – Tempo I – Andante moderato – Adagio – Lo stesso tempo
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 ‘CHORAL’: IV. Presto – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo – Allegro assai – Allegro assai vivace (alla marcia) – Andante maestoso – Adagio ma non troppo ma divoto – Allegro energico e sempre ben marcato – Allegro ma non tanto Presto – Maestoso – Prestissimo
