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Beethoven: Complete Symphonies / Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden
Brilliant Classics

Beethoven: Complete Symphonies / Blomstedt, Staatskapelle Dresden

$28.99

Details

Composer
BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN
Artist
Staatskapelle Dresden, Blomstedt, Dose, Schiml, Schreier, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Chor Der Staatsoper
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Jun 26, 2012
Catalog #
BRI94289
UPC
5028421942896

About


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. The only possible weak link here might be the first movement of the Fifth, which lacks the sheer intensity that, say, Carlos Kleiber brings to it. On the other hand, Blomstedt's more emotionally balanced conception is so well realized that I'm inclined to give him credit for bringing off an unconventional interpretation, particularly as the remainder of the symphony lacks for nothing in excitement or sheer power.

Highlights of this cycle are many: a grand and glorious Eroica, a lithe and lyrical Second and Fourth, a pellucid Sixth with luminous wind playing, an exciting Ninth sporting fantastically buoyant strings in the Scherzo and a marvelously well sung finale, and a transcendentally great performance of the Seventh, with rip-roaring horns and perfect pacing throughout. The recordings, made in Dresden's Lucaskirche in the late 1970s and early '80s, put a silvery sheen around the players (winds especially) and strike an excellent balance between clarity and warmth. At the Brilliant Classics price, you can't afford not to own this set. [6/23/2002]
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
reviewing this set previously released as Brilliant 99927

----------

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

Tracklist 37 tracks

  1. 1 Great Litany 03:44
    Track
    1
    Title
    Great Litany
    Duration
    03:44
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  2. 2 The First Antiphon: Bless the Lord, o my soul 06:33
    Track
    2
    Title
    The First Antiphon: Bless the Lord, o my soul
    Duration
    06:33
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  3. 3 The Second Antiphon: Only begotten Son of God 04:37
    Track
    3
    Title
    The Second Antiphon: Only begotten Son of God
    Duration
    04:37
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  4. 4 The Third Antiphon: In Thy Kingdom 06:02
    Track
    4
    Title
    The Third Antiphon: In Thy Kingdom
    Duration
    06:02
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  5. 5 The Little Entrance: Come and Worship 01:52
    Track
    5
    Title
    The Little Entrance: Come and Worship
    Duration
    01:52
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  6. 6 Trisagion: Lord, We Pray that You May Be Merciful 03:18
    Track
    6
    Title
    Trisagion: Lord, We Pray that You May Be Merciful
    Duration
    03:18
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  7. 7 Fervent Supplication 08:22
    Track
    7
    Title
    Fervent Supplication
    Duration
    08:22
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  8. 8 Cheruvimic Hymn 06:33
    Track
    8
    Title
    Cheruvimic Hymn
    Duration
    06:33
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  9. 9 Ektenia of the Prothesis 03:46
    Track
    9
    Title
    Ektenia of the Prothesis
    Duration
    03:46
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  10. 10 Nicaean Creed 06:49
    Track
    10
    Title
    Nicaean Creed
    Duration
    06:49
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  11. 11 Anaphora 05:18
    Track
    11
    Title
    Anaphora
    Duration
    05:18
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  12. 12 Hymn of Praise 02:59
    Track
    12
    Title
    Hymn of Praise
    Duration
    02:59
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  13. 13 Hymn to the Virgin 07:28
    Track
    13
    Title
    Hymn to the Virgin
    Duration
    07:28
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  14. 14 The Lord's Prayer 04:41
    Track
    14
    Title
    The Lord's Prayer
    Duration
    04:41
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  15. 15 The Elevation 01:20
    Track
    15
    Title
    The Elevation
    Duration
    01:20
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  16. 16 Communion Hymn 03:01
    Track
    16
    Title
    Communion Hymn
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  17. 17 Blessing 02:28
    Track
    17
    Title
    Blessing
    Duration
    02:28
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  18. 18 Hymn of Praise 08:50
    Track
    18
    Title
    Hymn of Praise
    Duration
    08:50
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  19. 19 Blessed His Name 00:52
    Track
    19
    Title
    Blessed His Name
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  20. 20 Glory to the Father 02:17
    Track
    20
    Title
    Glory to the Father
    Duration
    02:17
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  21. 21 V molitvakh neusipayushchuyu bogoroditsu (In our Prayers, Ever-vigilant Mother of God) 09:28
    Track
    21
    Title
    V molitvakh neusipayushchuyu bogoroditsu (In our Prayers, Ever-vigilant Mother of God)
    Duration
    09:28
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
  22. 22 Chorus of Spirits for Don Juan 01:25
    Track
    22
    Title
    Chorus of Spirits for Don Juan
    Duration
    01:25
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  23. 23 Panteley-tselitel (Panteley the Healer) 04:11
    Track
    23
    Title
    Panteley-tselitel (Panteley the Healer)
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Sergei Rachmaninoff
    Ensemble
    Russian State Symphonic Cappella
    Conductor
    Valery Polyansky
  24. 24 IV. Thunderstorm: Allegro 03:42
    Track
    24
    Title
    IV. Thunderstorm: Allegro
    Duration
    03:42
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  25. 25 V. Shepherd's Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings after the Storm: Allegretto 09:51
    Track
    25
    Title
    V. Shepherd's Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings after the Storm: Allegretto
    Duration
    09:51
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  26. 26 I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace 13:31
    Track
    26
    Title
    I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
    Duration
    13:31
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  27. 27 II. Allegretto 09:57
    Track
    27
    Title
    II. Allegretto
    Duration
    09:57
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  28. 28 III. Presto, assai meno presto 09:45
    Track
    28
    Title
    III. Presto, assai meno presto
    Duration
    09:45
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  29. 29 IV. Allegro con brio 09:13
    Track
    29
    Title
    IV. Allegro con brio
    Duration
    09:13
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  30. 30 I. Allegro vivace e con brio 10:02
    Track
    30
    Title
    I. Allegro vivace e con brio
    Duration
    10:02
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  31. 31 II. Allegretto scherzando 03:56
    Track
    31
    Title
    II. Allegretto scherzando
    Duration
    03:56
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  32. 32 III. Tempo di menuetto 04:47
    Track
    32
    Title
    III. Tempo di menuetto
    Duration
    04:47
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  33. 33 IV. Allegro vivace 07:50
    Track
    33
    Title
    IV. Allegro vivace
    Duration
    07:50
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  34. 34 I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 16:55
    Track
    34
    Title
    I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
    Duration
    16:55
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  35. 35 II. Molto vivace 13:47
    Track
    35
    Title
    II. Molto vivace
    Duration
    13:47
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  36. 36 III. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato 16:24
    Track
    36
    Title
    III. Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato
    Duration
    16:24
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Ensemble
    Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt
  37. 37 IV. Finale: Presto - Allegro assai 25:09
    Track
    37
    Title
    IV. Finale: Presto - Allegro assai
    Duration
    25:09
    Composer
    Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer
    Helena Döse, Marga Schiml, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam
    Ensemble
    MDR Rundfunkchor, Staatskapelle Dresden
    Conductor
    Herbert Blomstedt