Ludwig van Beethoven, Georg Solti, RenA©e Fleming, Yo-Yo Ma, Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Thomas Frost, Gidon Kremer, Vinson Cole, London Symphony Orchestra, London Voices - Immortal Beloved / Sir Georg Solti (film 1994)

Purchase of CD "Immortal Beloved"

This is a repurchase of a collection of Beethoven music from the movie "Immortal Beloved." I actually wore out the cassette tape of this music. It is a wonderful collection and I was very happy to find it and receive it so quickly.
Thank you for your help.
J.H. June 9, 2008

an admittedy greenest of the green novices to classical but..

I consider this a sampler as it doesn't include the full repertoire but for my 'green' sensibilities it has made me fall in love with a type of music I previously had no level of interest in. Although I played 'classical' instruments as a youth, like many I 'evidently' didn't appreciate it enough and like almost all of my generation have ventured off into the world of 'popular culture' such that it is. I have since acquired the complete works and have ventured into eploring some of the obvious 'other' composers both 'Baroque and Romantic' North and Southern, East,Central and Western European just to flesh things out somewhat...again I claim no breadth of knowledge but for my 'uncultured' ears I can hear and feel the beauty, magic and perfection of Beethoven. Few musical examples can near bring tears to my eyes...so far it's only Beethoven and Pink Floyd (LOL!! Comfortably Numb gets me every time sorry.. They are Awesome in the true sense of the word in their own account..but I digress).

Just to consider what he created irrespective of his personal and physical hurdles it's astounding...Such a shame he was such a surly bastard. I think of what else could possibly be the anthem for the European Union and simply there is no contest...it's not even close.

If ever you wanted to introduce the wonder of classical music to someone uninterested or unappreciative of it, this is a superb example. I am testament to that! As an aside; it has also made me rank Gary Oldman as one of my favorite Actors EVER and include Georg Solti and the London Philharmonic Orchestra in my personal top 20. December 11, 2007

immortal music...

This soundtrack is divine and if you've seen the movie then while you play the cd some of those powerful images from the movie will replay in your mind. This is a wonderful collection of Beethoven music while maybe not satisfying to the classical music diva this cd will probaly lead you to explore his music even more. Different composers and full length renditions will expand your appreciation of the man who composed 'Gods music'.
September 21, 2007

Below Average Beethoven Performances

It is unfortunate that they chose Solti's direction for the symphonic pieces in this soundtrack as he is simply one of the worst conductors for Beethoven. His direction is so slow one would think he is leading a funeral procession instead of music inspired by the French Revolution.

Of all old school directors such as Karajan, Toscanini, etc., Solti's performances are simply morbidly slow to the point of killing the grieving attendants with boredom. The cacophony of the oversized orchestra doesn't help either. Solti's interpretations are even too slow for a requiem. You think a regular interpretation of the 7th's second movement is slow? Wait 'til you hear this one; you're going to need a massage you'll be so stiff. The 9th symphony march is supposed to be a brisk revolutionary march calling the citizens to arms and to join the militia marching through a town. With Solti you imagine only a funeral procession coming through the town. In the Fifth the whole orchestra is almost struggling to slow down to match the strings. Karajan's interpretations are not particularly fast either but at least he breathes some life into them and the orchestra. I personally like Toscanini in terms of the old 20th century symphonic conductors and Gardiner's traditional interpretations that are at least at a correct speed and give the listener the impression they are marching off as part of a revolutionary batallion to bring liberty to the oppressed instead of being rolled to the morgue. Beethoven was a revolutionary anti-monarchist and strongly supported the idea of political change. Although Periah is a great pianist for Beethoven's concertos, there are simply better performances by him that fortunately aren't conducted by Solti such as on Sony with Bernard Haitink and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The same goes for the performances with Axe and Yo-Yo Ma. Gidon Kramer's performance for the Violin Concerto in D is also mediocre at best: there are better violinists out there than Kremer for Beethoven.

This is just not the best CD to get quality performances of Beethoven's works. Overall, Solti's interpretations are simply too sluggish and indecipherable to represent the ideals of Beethoven's music. Solti would definitely be my last choice for anything. You won't lose anything by not buying this soundtrack that's for sure: Solti's interpretations are so slow they will simply fossilize you.
March 10, 2007

Immortal beloved film

having watched a recording of Immortal beloved for a number of years the tape was past its best. now that i have the chance of ordering on line i did , and a good move it was. It was nice to see the film and things so clear, i had not see before, the writing on the love letter at the begining and tears that was shed. Iam very pleased with the dvd. February 5, 2007

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