Binding: DVD Audio EAN: 0028946954195 Label: Deutsche Grammophon Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon Release Date: 2003-12-09 Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Customer Rating: Summary: Shy of Greatness Comment: Abbado and the BPO recorded a whole Beethoven symphonic cycle in Berlin in April 2000, for release on DVD Audio. In February of the next year the same ensemble and conductor filmed a live cycle in Rome, for release on DVD Video (except that the European Concert performance of the NINTH on 1 May 2000 in Berlin took the place of the Rome performance of the NINTH in the video cycle).
Abbado's DVDV release is the best Beethoven cycle on home video, with really superlative sound and fine camera work. Yes, it beats out Gielen (1999), Karajan (1970s) and Karajan (1980s).
The DVDA has even better sound than the DVDV, of course, but Barenboim's DVDA cycle with the Berliner Staatskapelle is even better. Teldec's engineers did a little better job for Barenboim than DG's engineers did for Abbado. Look around for the rapidly disappearing DVDAs of Barenboim, and if you can't find them, snap up the Abbado. Customer Rating: Summary: "Updated" Beethoven, but a bit half-hearted Comment: Claudio Abbado's legacy in Beethoven will be one of his lesser accomplishments. His first symphony cycle with the Vienna Phil. was middle of the road, and it featured a stody, lifeless Pastorale. For his Berlin remake he sped u the tempos, eliminated vibrato from the strings (a fashionable nod to the period instrument movement), and reduced the orchestra. In so doing, however, he drained the music of joy, boldness, and inner vitality. This is the Pastorale played as background music.
All I can say is that in concert Abbado's Sixth had real merits that somehow truned pallid in the studio. It's worth seeking out pirate recordings of the Berlienrs on tour with the Pastorale if you want to hear the same interpreation with more inner life.
The Beethoven fifth is cut form the same cloth, but Abbado seems to be more committed here -- after all, being able to conduct a decent Beethoven Fifth is Conducting 101. As in the Sixth, rethinking didn't extend to modish tempos -- everything is paced in the traditional way. The second movement Adante con moto is somewhat faster, however, which isn't as significant as the conductor's mild-mannered way with the music. The Scherzo is robust (thank goodness) but lacking in mystery. The best movement is the finale, which blazes ahead as it should. Even so, none of this matches the strength and vigor one gets from Klemperer, Kleiber, Karajan, and Furtwangler.
All I can say is that if you are tempted by "updated" Beethoven, Abbado's accounts are very well played, and despite complaints about DG's sonics, everything sounds good enough.
