Ludwig van Beethoven Pierre Monteux Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra - Beethoven Symphonies Nos 1 3 6 8 (17 tracks) +Album Reviews

Superb Pastoral Symphony

Fidelio | Houston, TX | 08/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bohm/Vienna recording on DG Originals is often the primary recommendation for Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, but Monteux's version with the same orchestra (recorded about 10 years earlier than Bohm's) is even better, mostly because his tempi are a little faster: the opening movement is more cheerful, and the Scene by the Brook--a rather sleepy affair in Bohm's hands--is more in keeping with the "molto mosso" (very wavy and animated) in Beethoven's tempo indication--one can feel the delight of minutely watching the numerous eddies and rivulets in a flowing brook. In general, Monteux's reading emphasizes joy and delight, whereas Bohm's is more meditative and relaxed (not always in the best sense); both conductors, of course, benefit from the rich, evocative sounds of the Vienna Philharmonic. Unfortunately, the rest of the symphonies in this Monteux Beethoven twofer aren't performed as superbly as No. 6, but they are all generally enjoyable performances. The gem of the set is the Pastoral, and it's worth getting for that alone."

A fine Beethoven set, volume 1

Andrew R. Weiss | Raleigh, NC USA | 07/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Monteux recorded the complete Beethoven symphonies in the last 6 years of his life, #s 1, 3, 6 and 8 with the Vienna Philharmonic (of which he was a frequent guest conductor) and #s 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9 with the London Symphony (of which he was permanent conductor at the time). Monteux allows Beethoven's music to speak for itself, with few idiosyncrosies and with (generally) meticulous attention to balance, texture, structure, instrumental color and clarity, all of this infused with his usual animation and understanding of the musical and spiritual vlaues of these works. The Beethoven 1 is Haydenesque in the best sense, clear and harmonious and bouyant. The recording of Beethoven 3 shows just how much gets revealed by good digital reprocessing: what had seemed to be a relatively polite performance on LP is strong and gutsy on the CD. This is a fiery, joyous and exhilerating performance with a dramatic second movement. #6 is simply one of the best Pastorales ever recorded, lyrical and dramatic and joyous by turns. #8 is quite good, perhaps a bit too refined for Beethoven's galumphing humor but a fine interpretation nonetheless. In general, the recordings of the remaining Beethoven sympbonies with the London Symphony have more of Monteux' ideomatic Gallic sound, but there is nothing wrong with this set. The Vienna Philharmonic plays well throughout. For those who like their Beethoven clear and clean, inspired and gutsy, without the overlay of Teutonic interpretation, Monteux is an excellent choice. The sound is early stereo and generally good throughout."

Symphony 1 has a "watery" sound, therefore only 4 stars.

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 08/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pierre Monteux recorded Beethoven Symphonies 1,3,6,8 with the Vienna Philharmonic and Symphonies 2,4,5,7 with the London Symphony for Decca late in his career. These are prized by many collectors, but I should point out that Symphony 1 has a "watery" sound to the flutes and oboes which some may find distracting; It is odd for a recording made in the late 1950s in stereo, to have this problem, but it comes through noticeably in my copy of this disc.

However, Monteux's recording of Beethoven Symphony 1 is considered very fine by many critics, sonic shortcomings I notice notwithstanding. Symphony 3 has slow tempos and a feeling of massiveness about it, lasting about 50 minutes. Symphonies 6 and 8 are both classics, in beautiful sound, and relaxed and flowing where needed.

Monteux is relaxed in Adagio and Andante movements, but conducts Allegro movements at a fast pace; the Vienna Philharmonic plays beautifully for him. Anyone who collects Beethoven recordings will be not be disappointed with this, and the price is reasonable. I would suggest supplementing Monteux's Beethovens with the DG recordings of Karl Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic, and/or the Sony releases of Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony."

Excellent traditional Beethoven from an overlooked maestro

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even before he died at the venerable age of 89 in 1964, Pierre Monteux was neglected by record companies. RCA thought his recordings didn't sell, so they released his late Beethoven cycle (recorded between 1957 and 1961, when the conductor was in his early 80s) by dribs and drabs on budget labels. Hardly anyone refers to them, yet Monteux's versions of Sym. 1, 3, 6, and 8, now popping up on Decca, are extremely fine. These four recordings are with the Vienna Phil, the other half of the cycle, minus the Ninth, shifting over to the London Sym.

If you want to hear Monteux's Beethoven, begin here. A reviewer below suggests that only the First and Sixth are gems, but to my ears the Eighth Sym. is just as good--vigorous, lively, beautifully voiced, and well played by the orchestra (although it must be said that the Vienna Phil. sounds a little thin here, and sometimes not perfectly in tune). The Eroica, which the Gramophone reviewer picked out for special praise, strikes me as too middle-of-the-road. Monteux was a musician's musician. He didn't offer flash or personality, yet everything was in place. Tempos and phrasing are traditional, but he was doing more than just getting out of the orchestra's way. You feel the stamp of authority from beginning to end.

The Pastorale isn't an easy work to conduct, and Monteux shines at his brightest here. He has an instinctive touch for the right pacing, not too fast or slow. Even more important is the sense of joy imparted to a work that Beethoven wrote to express his joy at recovery form illness and a deep love of the countryside. For me, no performance of the Pastorale succeeds unless I feel as Beethoven did, which is why admired versions from Karajan, Szell, Toscanini, Klemperer, and even Bernstein, usually the most ebullient of conductors, don't excite me. Monteux does. I'd rank his reading alongside Walter's with the Columbia Sym. (Sony) and Furtwangler's wartime radio broadcast (on varius labels).

In sum, as a bargain two-fer, there's no better Beethoven set around. Too bad no Ninth exists except for a scrappy one on Westminster, now transferred to DG, that doesn't do Monteux justice."

First Rate Beethoven

J. Marco | 11/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have known these performances since they came out on LPs over forty years ago, and I still find them as compelling as ever. Monteux lived into the stereo era, and thus there are numerous good sounding recordings of his intelligent and spirited interpretations. These Beethoven symphonies are among them. A genuine bargain."

Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Pierre Monteux, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1, 3, 6, 8

CD Details

Similarly Requested CDs

CD Reviews