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Online Store - Beethoven: Symphonies 5 & 7
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List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $10.99
Your Save: $ 0.99 ( 8% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0028944740028
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: 1996-01-23
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
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Editorial Reviews:
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Long regarded as the quintessential interpretation of the most popular and best-loved symphony ever written, this performance of the Fifth has everything: passion, precision, drama, lyric beauty, and a coiled fury in the first movement that sets your pulse racing from the very first note. Carlos Kleiber has made very few recordings in his distinguished career, but almost all are special. If you own no other copy of this symphony, this is the one to get. It comes with an exceptional performance of the Seventh--not quite as gripping as the Fifth, but definitely one of the great ones. There is classical music, and there are classic recordings of classical music. This one's a classic. -- David Hurwitz
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Fresh AND traditional, a classic amongst many.
Comment: Kleiber's account of the 5th stands out because of its precision and speed. Usually these two factors relate inversely and therein lies Kleiber's achievement, I would say, especially considering that this symphony's drama requires an urgency. Karajan's '63 recording is precise and reasonably quick, however it is a rather interpretive account and also pares off some of the space between the strings, bass, and brass. Karajan's '77 recording may be equally interpretive in its conception but nonetheless, in effect, returns to a more traditional sound because the bass and brass are given more volume and space. However, the '77 recording is far from precise, in fact, because Karajan goes for such a textured and broad sound, the orchestral sections somtimes move ahead or behind of each other because they are so intergrated within themselves (instruments within the section).
Kleiber's recording is urgent and precise, which is like the HvK'63, but much less interpretive and THUS people go nuts for it with the belief that it represents the truest expression of Beethoven's intention.
BUT, it does sound very metallic, and by that I mean that being both mincing and fast, it doesn't have the warmth and storminess that many people identify with Beethoven and which conveys much of the content of his music. This recording is perhaps too clean and technical, but that depends where one finds the language of the music. Certainly some of Keliber's precision does help to annunciate some of the finer lyricism of the symphony.
One last thing to mention, which is sadly a major boo-boo on behalf of DG, is the bit-processing which they do on all their "Originals" series. Throughout some of the best parts of all the movements, especially when the crescendos open up, there are these hideous digital "chinking" sounds all over the place - "chink....dink...dink", simply awful! It is manifestly something to do with their remastering software techniques. Other reviewers here have described the DG recording and subsequent remastering as flat, and I wouldn't disagree.
This is, in some terms and measures, a masterful piece of music making, but it is in no way definitive (speaking of definitive recordings is really pretty dumb), and perhaps more represents something which was missing up until its inception - that is, a passionate but sober (Klemperer) as well as urgent and fine (Karajan) recording.
Customer Rating:
Summary: 9/8
Comment: The Fifth is marvelus. Played very good, one of the all-time best, but he failed in the seventh. The Allegretto is TOO fast, too rushed. Played like they have too hurry. Tempo in the second movment in the seventh syphonis is vrong for me. Buy it for the fifth, not for the seventh.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Classic Beethoven
Comment: This was one of the very first classical music CDs that I ever purchased. I was somewhat familiar with Beethoven's 5th, but not the 7th. Needless to say, I have acquired many more CDs since then. For Beethoven, I feel that I can never have too many recordings of his symphonies. I own the Zinman/Tonhalle set, the Krips/LSO set, Karajan EMI/Philharmonia set, Gardiner/ORR set, and the Cluytens/Berlin Phil. set. Of individual recordings of 5 and 7, I have this along with Reiner and the CSO, and Haitink with the LSO of 5/1 (LSO Live).
With all these recordings, what makes this one stand out? For me, its Kleiber's ability to let Beethoven speak for himself. Kleiber's interpretations are masterful in the way that they don't necessarily emphasize certain instruments, sections etc. In this way, Kleiber is similar to Reiner, but I feel that Kleiber, especially with the Vienna Philharmonic, is a lot more muscular. Reiner's interpretations let Beethoven speak as well, but he has a lighter touch than Kleiber, who adds force where needed.
Sometimes this technique works, but sometimes it does not. My main point for this is in the horn call of the 5th, first movement. This may be too powerful, but is certainly better than Reiner's (even though the CSO brass section is certainly better, though restrained). Kleiber could use some restraint in this sense, but this is a minor quibble. One other quibble I have is with the tempo of the Allegretto in the 7th. It seems a little fast, but I certainly enjoy how Kleiber shapes phrases and melodic lines. I feel that if it was a tad slower, it would have the ability to emote more pathos. Also, the tempo of the next movement (third of the 7th) seems a bit rushed in some spots, but this does not detract from the music like that of the Allegretto.
In all, Kleiber's Beethoven is similar to Reiner's, but the brass is not as restrained, which adds a great layer of color and excitement. Even with all my other recordings, Kleiber stands out as natural and muscular Beethoven, even if I have more 'correct' readings (Barenreiter, HIP etc.). Kleiber's Beethoven makes me not care if the tempos or whatnot are not 'historically correct.' It may not be historically informed, but it still sounds good to my ears.
Verdict: If you don't have this recording, you should do yourself the favor and pick up this classic disc.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great performances
Comment: This is the best modern recording of Beethoven symphonies. A collectors album of the highest quality.
R. Brown
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best 5 & 7 Beethoven's Symphonies
Comment: Carlos Kleiber is known for his obsession for perfection. He made few records, but everything he recorded is in excellent quality. He has become a legend of the regency.
But this recording of Beethoven's 5 e 7 Symphonies is not only the apex of his career, but the classical and Imortal record of this works.
If you want one performance of this music, it's your choice.
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