Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: Andante cantabile con moto
3. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: Menuetto, Allegro molto e vivace
4. Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21: Finale, Adagio - Allegro molto e vivace
5. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegro ma non troppo
6. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Andante molto moto
7. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegro
8. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegro
9. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Allegretto
10. Egmont, incidental music, Op. 84: Overture

Disc 2:

1. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36: Adagio molto / Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36: Larghetto
3. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36: Scherzo, Allegro
4. Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36: Allegro molto
5. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro con brio
6. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Andante con moto
7. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro
8. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro

Disc 3:

1. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Marcia funebre, Adagio assai
3. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Scherzo, Allegro vivace
4. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Finale, Allegro molto
5. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Allegro vivace e con brio
6. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Allgretto scherzando
7. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Tempo di Meneutto
8. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Allegro vivace

Disc 4:

1. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Adagio - Allegro vivace
2. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Adagio
3. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Allegro vivace
4. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Allegro ma non troppo
5. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Poco sostenuto - Vivace
6. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegretto
7. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Presto
8. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegro con brio
9. König Stephan (King Stephen), incidental music, Op. 117: Overture

Disc 5:

1. Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': I. Allegro con brio - L.V. Beethoven
2. Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai - L.V. Beethoven
3. Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': IIIScherzo: Allegro vivace - Trio - L.V. Beethoven
4. Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat Major, Op. 55 'Eroica': IV. Finale: Allegro molto - Poco andante - L.V. Beethoven
5. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Recitative - Allegro assai
6. Fidelio, overture, Op. 72c

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #124290 in Music
• Released on: 1992-08-25
• Number of discs: 5
• Format: Box set

Amazon.com essential recording
How is it possible that one of the greatest Beethoven cycles on disc, and certainly the finest in the Sony catalog, winds up at budget price? Here's a little insider information: When Sony moved its corporate headquarters to Germany, the Herbert von Karajan-obsessed leaders of the company figured that all of those "older" recordings were worthless, particularly the American ones. Having no clue that George Szell was one of the two or three greatest conductors of the 20th century, they then stuck them on their cheapie budget line, and voilá! Great Beethoven at a rock bottom price. Sony's back in New York now, under sensible management, and Szell's recordings are still the best deal in town. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Classic recordings
I grew up listening to these recordings on LP (and, indeed, wore out two sets) and they still strike me as some of the most satisfying interpretations of the Nine symphonies ever recorded. Szell was sometimes said to be a "cold" conductor, and the idiocy of that critical judgment is clear in every bar of these performances: these are some of the most emotionally powerful and intense performances ever recorded. George Szell was a master, and his Cleveland Orchestra was one of the greatest ensembles ever. This set would be one of the very best if it were at full price: at budget price, it's a miraculous bargain.

The best Beethoven Symphony cycle ever recorded
Many recent Beethoven recordings are known for their "authenticity" or "historical accuracy". The fact is, we have no idea exactly how Beethoven's music was performed during his lifetime, and none of the many "original instrument" performances that I have heard can come close to the emotional depth and musicality of the Szell/Cleveland recordings. In addition to reminding us of Szell's flawless leadership, these discs feature superlative performances by some of the greatest musicians that have ever lived: Principal Oboist Marc Lifschey, the late, great Clarinetist Robert Marcellus, Tympanist Clloyd Duff, Hornist Myron Bloom as well as the rest of this legendary ensemble. And all for a great price, too. This is far superior to any other collection of Beethoven Symphonies I have heard. Really, this is music making at it's best!

Great Beethoven Symphony cycle at a great price!
This CD collection of performances originally recorded in the 60's showcases the Szell/Cleveland combination at the height of the maestro's form. All of the readings are memorable with the 3rd and 7th particularly intense. The ADD remastering is very good providing sound quality that is full and clear. This set can hold its own with any on the market and deserves a place in any serious Beethoven collector's library.