Search - Beethoven, Carlo Maria Giulini, La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphonies 2 & 8

A nice, moderately priced Beethoven disc . . .

Johnny Bard | Orlando, FL | 02/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Sony label has been instrumental in enabling me to build my Classical library. Thanks to their lines of bargain-to-mid-priced cds, I have been able to amass a number of fine recordings from renowned conductors and composers.This 1993 Sony release of Beethoven's Symphonies No. 2 and 8 is a fine mid-priced release. The DDD, 20-bit recording is first-rate (as to be expected from Sony). The sound is crisp and clear, yet there's also a sense of depth and volume (as if the disc were anticipating a surround-sound atmosphere). Carlo Maria Giulini, leading the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, conducts with authority and artistry. I first heard Giulini conduct on Deutsche Grammophon's recording of Beethoven's 5th Symphony (coupled with Schumann's 3rd Symphony), released in 1982. The DG release represents an excercise in how to solicit unbridled energy and passion from an orchestra (in this case, the Los Angele Philharmonic). The 1982 DG issue has been one of my favorite cds, so I'm always looking for anything led by Giulini. As expected, the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra sounds wonderful. But unlike the earlier DG release, I felt that Giulini wasn't able here to tap into that same energetic spirit that had characterized earler recordings. This is still a fine recording; just not quite one that I was expecting. My favorite recordings of Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 include Michael Tilson Thomas' on CBS (an early 1980's release that's now out-of-print) and Barenboim's Beethoven cycle on Teldec (an expensive but excellent release). As for Beethoven's 8th, Barenboim's recent Teldec version is again worth the investment. In sum, this cd offers a fine recording of two Beethoven symphonies at an affordable price. I really can't think of a better place to start (if you're not familiar with these two symphonies). There is an abundance of Beethoven recordings in print today (both ADD and DDD) that are just as moderately priced (some are even less expensive). Given the sound quality (DDD) and the name behind the conducting (Giulini), you can't go wrong with purchasing this particular disc. But at some point, I'd also encourage you to sample other, more lively versions."