Search - Beethoven, Schubert, Levine :: Symphony 3 "Eroica" / Symphony 8 "Unfinished"

Beethoven, Schubert, Levine
Symphony 3 "Eroica" / Symphony 8 "Unfinished"
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (6) - Disc #1
1. Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major 'Eroica': Allegro Con Brio
2. Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major 'Eroica': Marcia Funebre. Adagio Assai
3. Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major 'Eroica': Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
4. Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major 'Eroica': Finale. Allegro Molto
5. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro Moderato
6. Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Andante Con Moto

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CD Details

All Artists: Beethoven, Schubert, Levine, MET Orchestra
Title: Symphony 3 "Eroica" / Symphony 8 "Unfinished"
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Polygram Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/1994
Re-Release Date: 7/19/1994
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 028943986229

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Talk about pointless duplication of repertoire! This well-filled CD offers competent but completely anonymous performances of Beethoven and Schubert symphonies. Under James Levine, the Met Orchestra has become an extremely fine group, but good playing isn't enough when there are dozens of other recordings of this music that offer both good playing and a modicum of genuine musical insight. A waste. --David Hurwitz

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CD Reviews

Undeniable

kakistocracy | Omaha, NE United States | 09/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Searing virtuoso performances from Maestro Levine and the Met in excellent sound. While not overburdened with personality, they make up for it with a great deal of conviction. The Beethoven 3rd is quite willful, but what could be more appropriate? The Schubert is disturbingly intense. More excitement from an underrated conductor."

A good introduction to these symphonies

M. Ruybalid | San Jose, CA USA | 08/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this recording a few years back, mainly because I wanted a recording of the Schubert 8th. Not only do I like the way the Schubert 8th is played here, but I absolutely love the performance of the Beethoven 3rd, a symphony I had not previously heard. Even though I have NOT heard other recordings of either of these symphonies since I bought this one, I was impressed with the tempos, especially on the 3rd. Some take the first movement of the 3rd WAY TOO SLOW, as I have read that Sir Georg Solti did, but Levine's tempo truly makes this movement sound like a musical celebration of a world leader that Beethoven admired at the time of its composition, Napoleon. Both symphonies are well balanced in my opinion, and Levine makes them both pleasing to the ear (at least to my ear). There may be other recordings of these symphonies out there that are better for you, it all depends on your taste. Shop around, but do not ignore this recording (even though it appears to be out of print, but used copies are out there). It is not "a waste", as Mr. Hurwitz puts it."

Hurwitz is WAY off

dcreader | Washington DC area | 04/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I would have expected more from Hurwitz. Just because there are many other recordings of the same symphonies isn't enough to justify criticizing new ones. By the way, this Disc received a top rating for EACH piece in the Penguin Guide..."

Clean, modern classicism, with lovely sonics

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Amazon reviewer overstates the case, but I must admit I've waited a long time before buying Beethoven from James Levine. He has campaigned successfully to get the Met opera orchestra recognized as a symphony orchestra, using four concerts a year in Carnegie Hall as a vehicle. But there's lots of great Beethoven and Schubert to compete with--what does Levine offer?

First, he anticipated the movement toward swift, steady tempos for Beethoven, and the lean orchestra sound he got in 1993--nicely caught by DG's clear, truthful sonics--predates Abbado and Rattle in their new Beethoven cycles. Harnoncourt is the most aggressive conductor in this style, but Levine is pretty lean and muscular, too: he doesn't pause for expression, and the opening chords of the Eroica are slashing. Every movement is played for high energy; the climaxes at the end of the first and last movement are thrilling.

Schubert usually calls for more tenderness and inward reflection. But Levine sees Schubert in the light of Beethoven, and his "Unfinished" begins with a true Beethoven allegro and never slows down. Yet he isn't fierce or punchy a la Carlos Kleiber. The second movement andante, which is very beautifully played in every respect, shows considerable contrast in mood but not tempo: it's on the fast side, with thrilling climaxes and tender solos from the excellent Met winds.

Altogether, these are very good performances in excellent sound, much like updated Szell (who was Levine's mentor in Cleveland). I thoroughly enjoyed them, particularly in terms of orchestral richness, but one finds more style in Furtwangler, Toscanini, Klemperer, Bernstein, Karajan, etc. It's a hard field to be nearly great in."

Excellent Recording

Brandon Hood | Memphis | 03/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is jam packed with emotion. The recording of Beethoven's Third is one of the best I have heard in recent times. The clarity and sonority of the orchestra and Levine's interpretation combine for an experience that should not be passed up. Schubert's Unfinished Symphony is one of my personal favorite symphonies and this recording does not let me down one bit!"