Box: Beethoven cycle/Klemperer 60, Brahms cycle/Kempe 75-6

[stevewright]

Any opinions on this? Seems well-reviewed (and I have read praise of Kempe's Brahms - though for his BPO cycle, not Munchner).
It's also, well, affordable shall we say.
Thanks!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-Br...s=brahms+kempe

[david johnson]

nothing showed when I clicked your link

[stevewright]

nothing showed when I clicked your link

Oops, sorry. How is this? Won't let me add a picture at the mo.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beethoven-Brahm ... ahms+kempe

[John F]

The Klemperer/Beethoven recordings are not EMI's studio versions but public performances given in Vienna in 1960. Haven't heard any of them. Klemperer was a manic-depressive, a severe case, and as such he was unpredictable. When in a manic state, he was quick and careless with rehearsals and the performances sometimes suffered; when depressive, he worked more carefully. The customer reviews on amazon.com are favorable, for what that's worth.

[stevewright]

The Klemperer/Beethoven recordings are not EMI's studio versions but public performances given in Vienna in 1960. (...) The customer reviews on amazon.com are favorable, for what that's worth.

Thanks! Yes, they are favourable, as is this:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/c ... CD1252.htm

I'd be very interested in hearing any views on this Brahms/Kempe/Munchner cycle before putting my hand in my virtual pocket...
Thanks!
S

[slofstra]

Do you already have this very excellent set?



A superb set, with the exception of a badly executed 9th.

[maestrob]

I've not heard this particular set, but I must caution you that Klemperer, to my knowledge, never mastered the Beethoven Ninth, so that would discourage me. You can do far better with HVK's early DGG set for the same price:



As for Brahms, Solti/Chicago would be my recommendation for n additional fiver:

[Seán]

I've not heard this particular set, but I must caution you that Klemperer, to my knowledge, never mastered the Beethoven Ninth, so that would discourage me. You can do far better with HVK's early DGG set for the same price:

It's marvellous, I wouldn't be without it.

[barney]

I "learnt" the Beethoven symphonies with Klemperer and the Phil - the studio version. I still love them, though I don't listen very often. He took a marvellously magisterial and architectural view, but was regarded as slow even then. By today's standards he is often glacial.

[premont]

RebLem has reviewed the Klemperer live Beethoven recordings from Vienna on the last page of the What are you listening to thread.

[RebLem]

The Klemperer/Beethoven recordings are not EMI's studio versions but public performances given in Vienna in 1960. Haven't heard any of them. Klemperer was a manic-depressive, a severe case, and as such he was unpredictable. When in a manic state, he was quick and careless with rehearsals and the performances sometimes suffered; when depressive, he worked more carefully. The customer reviews on amazon.com are favorable, for what that's worth.

I have just finished listening to this set, spread over 5 different listening sessions. You can read them in the "What have you been listening to today?" thread. Generally, my reviews have been favorable; this is one of the great sets, but I did note a few disappointments.

[RebLem]

RebLem has reviewed the Klemperer live Beethoven recordings from Vienna on the last page of the What are you listening to thread.

TY, Premont.