Beethoven, Ludwig van: The Complete Symphonies
1997-2000
2012
Ludwig van Beethoven
Renate Behle
Yvonne Naef
Glenn Winslade
Hanno Müller-Brachmann
Rundfunkchor Berlin
SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg
Michael Gielen
CD 1 Tr. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 C major op. 21
CD 1 Tr. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 E flat major op. 55 (Eroica)
CD 2 Tr. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 D major op. 36
CD 2 Tr. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 A major op. 92
CD 3 Tr. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 B flat major op. 60
CD 3 Tr. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 F major op. 93
CD 4 Tr. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 c minor op. 67
CD 4 Tr. 5 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 F major op. 68 for Orchestra (Pastorale)
CD 5 Tr. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 d minor op. 125 (with final chorus on verses of Schiller's 'Hymn to the Joy')
Michael Gielen is in many ways the 'elder statesman' among conductors. His experience and breadth of interests set him apart of his - or any other generation. The sum of his artistry is reflected is this Beethoven cycle, recorded over a space of just three years. As the former chief conductor of the SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg, he follows in his interpretive decisions with complete abandon. Gielen's orchestral conducting is compelling and high-spirited, and as always, penetrating in its insight and clarity.
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