Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Georg Solti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5

Lots of notes, but no music

Michael R. Leghorn | Evanston, IL USA | 12/08/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I've been familiar with this recording for several years. I have at least six versions of each of the Beethoven symphonies. Of the fifth, I have Masur/NY Philharmonic, Solti/CSO (analog from the 70's), Solti/CSO (this recording being reviewed), Reiner/CSO, Karajan/BPO (early 60's recording), Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music, Gardiner/Revolutionary Orchestra, Ozawa/BSO, Szell/Cleveland Orch. I'm pretty familiar with all of them. I recently revisited to 5th in question, and was bored stiff. The first movement was OK, although I found the interpretation to be a little cautious and uncertain. I figured I'd give the other movements a chance. The Andante was way too slow. If you like Beethoven symphonies just for the notes, then this recording is for you, because you can hear all the notes -- but where's the imagination? Skipping to the last movement: again, too slow. I guess Solti opted for big sound by having the orchestra lumber along like an elephant. Determined to get a satisfying fix of Beethoven's 5th (and to reassure myself that it's a decent symphony) I stopped the CD in the middle of the last movement, and started all over with the Szell/Cleveland recording. What a relief! Granted, the Szell is old and sounds dated compared to modern digital recordings, but despite this handicap, much more music comes through! I can't believe I used to be an avid Solti fan. I thought his Beethoven was tops. Now I think it's absurd to mention his name and Szell's name in the same sentence (which I just did, sorry). My recommendation: get the nine Beethoven symphonies with Szell."

Very good Fifth, dullish Fourth

Alan | New York, NY | 12/02/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Solti's performance of the Fifth is quite good. It's not as earth-shattering as some, but it's dramatic enough and very well-shaped. The tempos are a bit slower than some other conductors', but still reasonably fast, except for the Andante con moto, which is decidedly Adagio. But Solti shapes it so well that it hangs together quite nicely and even eloquently, aided by the tremendous playing of the Chicago Symphony. There are Fifths I like more (among them, Karajan's '70s recording, Carlos Kleiber, Szell, and the amazing but little-known René Leibowitz), as well as some I like less, but this is first-rate conducting and spectacular playing.



Unfortunately, the Fourth, despite the remarkable quality of Chicago's playing, is a bit dull. Overall, it's not especially slow, but it feels slower than it is because not enough is going on. It's not terrible. Solti is still a great conductor conducting a great orchestra, but it is definitely on the dull and heavy side. Lots of better Fourths out there, including Leibowitz and especially Steinberg (the latter on a two-CD set on MCA that is out of print but still available from some amazon sellers, a set that also has excellent performances of the Second, the Seventh, and the Leonore Overture #3).



The sound is really terrific. If you like the Solti-Chicago combination, you may well find this CD worthwhile. But if you're looking for your first recordings of these symphonies, you can do better, especially on the Fourth."

Solti's Beethoven is too careful, but the CSO plays wonderfu

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/05/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm surprised by the scorching reviews for this CD. In both the Beethoven Fourth and Fifth the Chicago Sym. plays beautifully and Decca's recording is clear and forward. Solti gives us traditional readings that are too cautious--strange from such a fiery conductor--but never less than respectable. In both works the tempos are moderate to slow. Solti labors too hard to shape the Andante con moto of the Fifth, which lacks natural charm in his hands--the line sags after the first eight bars. He could be much more abandoned in the finales of both works--listen to Karajan and Kleiber for how to cut loose here. Othrewise, given that Gunter Wand earns raves at Amazon for equally traditional and unimaginative Beethoven, there's no reason not to give Solti his due."