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. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Allegro con brio
6. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Marcia funebre-adagio assai
7. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Scherzo, allegro vivace
8. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Eroica'), Op. 55: Finale, allegro molto

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. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Adagio-allegro vivace
6. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Adagio
7. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Allegro vivace
8. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60: Allegro ma non troppo

Disc 3:

1. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro con brio
2. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Andante con moto
3. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro
4. Symphony No. 5 in C minor ('Fate'), Op. 67: Allegro-presto
5. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande - Allegro ma non troppo
6. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Szene am Bach - Andante molto mosso
7. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute - Allegro
8. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Gewitter, Sturm - Allegro
9. Symphony No. 6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: Hirtengesang - Frohe und dankbare Gef�hle nach dem Sturm - Allegretto

Disc 4:

1. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Poco sostenuto - vivace
2. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegretto
3. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Presto
4. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92: Allegro con brio
5. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Allegro vivace e con brio
6. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Allegretto scherzando
7. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Tempo di Menuetto
8. Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93: Allegro vivace

Disc 5:

1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
2. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Molto vivace
3. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Adagio molto e cantabile
4. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Presto

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #165399 in Music
• Released on: 2002-10-01
• Number of discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .33 pounds

Customer Reviews

A very fine Beethoven cycle
Herbert Blomstedt recorded this cycle at a time when Staatskapelle Dresden was among the leading orchestras in the world, at least in terms of technical perfection. The recordings were made in Dresden's acoustically attractive Lucaskirche in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

There are many things to appreciate here, apart from a very low price. We have the three first symphonies in marvellous renditions, both sophisticated and muscular, a bright and joyous fourth, a crisp and consistent fifth (even if not as powerful as, say, Kleiber's). The sixth symphony is a triumph for the woodwinds, and the seventh gets deeply moving and a memorable interpretation, only second to Kleiber's classic account. The eight symphony gets a wonderful, clear and thoughtful presentation, and the interpretation of the ninth symphony is simply a must for every collection - indeed the jewel in the crown of this set. For among modern accounts of this work, Blomstedt's is, in my view, one of the very best. It is an outstanding interpretation, excellently performed, with very fine soloists (Helena Döse, Marga Schiml, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam) and incarnated by a convincing HiFi engineering. In other words, a real pleasure.


Thus I strongly and warmly recommend this set. At a low price, collectors need not to hesitate.

The great, the good, and the also good.
I think one must purchase this for the price. I have these performances on the Berlin Classics label and payed a bunch more.
This set includes a no. 6 that rivals any out there, including the acclaimed Bruno Walter and Karl Bohm versions. Really.
Also, it sets a new standard for no. 4. I really love the Bohm/VPO version for it's unbelievably exuberant take on the first movement and its overall quality, and find it hard to believe that the Blomstedt might just surpass it but it has this quality: muscularity, that is amazing to behold. A real "broad shouldered" sound that is wonderful to hear paired with the goofiness of Beethovens under-appreciated(so I hear) 4th.
There are lots of great no. 3 recordings out there:
Szell/Cleveland(wow), Giulini/L.A. Phil, Bohm/VPO(one of the best cycles in existence, and inexpensive) and this one is way up there too.
No. 5, no way. Giulini with L.A. nails that one and that's that, though there are many other fine ones including C. Klieber/VPO.
7 and 8 are fine, with great sonics, and decent(very decent!) interpretation. The Bohm/VPO version just has so much more humor and melodrama in the 8, and lyricism and drama in the 7 that it has to be my first choice.
I hope this helps. Bottom line: buy this for amazing playing, more than occasional brilliance, SOLID timbres, and incredible value.

Surprisingly Good, and a Bargain!
The Brilliant Classics label is one of the first to realize that the actual value of recorded media (in a market is flooded with excellent recordings) is rather low. Their response is to purchase good recordings from major labels and repackage them at bargain price. This cycle of Beethoven symphonies is one of their best finds. The Dresden orchestra plays with their trademark sweet and polished sound, while Blomstedt draws amazingly accurate and enduring performances from them. It all depends upon your approach to Beethoven: If you want high energy and aggressive playing, Solti's analogue cycle (not the digital!) with the Chicago Symphony would be more to your liking. If you want your Beethoven more refined and astonishingly accurate, this set endures well. I have heard many Beethoven cycles, but I keep Solti's and Blomstedt's close, and listen to them for very different (and wonderful) reasons. At bargain price, this cycle cannot be overlooked.