Beethoven: Symphonies; Concertos; Overtures; Creatures of Prometheus; Missa Solemnis

Nikolaus Harnoncourt's acclaimed interpretations of Beethoven including Sumphonies 1-9, Piano Concertos 1-5, Violin Concerto Romances In G & F Major, Overtures: Coriolan - The Ruins of Athens - Fidelio - Leonore I, II & III - Egmont, The Creatures of Prometheus, Missa solemnis. Album Description

Masterly done Perfection.

It's just treasury ! This is , when Master-Creator , Master-Performers & Maestro-Performer meeting in level of TRUTH . . . !
"Absolute Tuned A,a or La" ! Great Set Ever ! From any point of view.
So much colors,moods,characters,passion... plus fantastic source of positive energy, trough phenomenal, virtuous, brilliant technique, without destroying any traditions or rules of romanticism. I can compare Maestro HARNONCOURT with conductors such as a Furtwangler,Celibidache,Giulini or Solti.I recommend every one to have it. There is a more...rather than just a music ! They're deserved our support: to keep them create more wondrous - masterpieces. Maestro Harnoncourt simply = Wonder-worker + Living Legend. Thanks God for this Great opportunity . . to be contemporary of this MARVEL !
P.S. Great Gift for intellectuals !
October 22, 2008

i can/t hardly wait...

i already have the symphonies and the piano concertos, which i love (having aimard on piano is nothing less than inspired). buying this set seems to be a great way to get the rest. i can/t wait to hear the missa.

tad bit of an update - the missa is sorta now *permanently on the ipod*. while i am getting increasingly away from the idea that some conductors can do no wrong (ran from boulez/s strauss/s zarahustra after one hearing), harnoncourt still amazes. some of the overtures are great (weird feelings abt egmont - high school and all), but the concerti are great. and, oddly (to me), so is his (not relevalent here) mozart/s requiem. this is an all around great. February 11, 2008

Authentic Beethoven from veteran conductor

Even though Grammophone Magazine did not see it fit to rank Harnoncourt's Beethoven Symphonies as among the 'best 5', I myself rank it before some of those chosen by Grammphone, notably David Zinman.
Harnoncourt's interpretation of Beethoven with his period instruments is so striking and full of character that you need not question 'what is Beethoven like'?
The concertos may have soloists varying in calibre, but the conducting and orchestration are nonetheless terrific. Take the 3rd movement of the No. 1 Piano Concerto, for example. Harnoncourt articulates such dynamics that the interpretation is at once authenticity and moving. The string section simply blow the listener off, even if the pianist Aimard isn't really the true Beethoven interpretor like Yefim Bronfmann for David Zinman, let alone Wilhelm Kempff before.
The ECO under Harnoncourt played elegantly, heroically and dramatically. The No. 5 Symphony is such a stately yet dramatic account that even with the fiery tempo like Zinman, could not be easily surpassed in terms of both excitement and depth. June 27, 2007

An Exciting, Memorable Collection Of Most Of Beethoven's Orchestral Works From Harnoncourt & COE

This 14 CD box set is truly a magnificient collection uniting virtually all of Beethoven's orchestral works performed by a single orchestra and conductor: Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. It is magnificient not only for its breadth and depth, but more importantly, for its overall quality, since many of these recordings can be regarded as definitive recordings of these Beethoven pieces, which were recorded between the years 1990 and 2003. One notable set of highlights is Harnoncourt's mesmerizing, period instrument practice-informed recordings of all of Beethoven's symphonies, which have already received ample critical and popular acclaim for being among the finest Beethoven symphony cycles ever recorded. Another fascinating recording is his critically acclaimed recording of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. Distinguished violinist Gidon Kremer collaborated successfully with Harnoncourt and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in an inspiring, intriguing period instrument-influenced account of the Beethoven Violin Concerto. Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard is well represented in relatively recent, critically acclaimed recordings of the Beethoven Piano Concertos, the Beethoven Triple Concerto (accompanied by violinist Thomas Zehetmair and cellist Clemens Hagen), and two other works for piano and orchestra. For those unfamiliar with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, this box set is a most impressive introduction, and one which I recommend highly. May 13, 2007

a very solid collection

This is a very solid collection that collects all of Harnoncourt's interpretations of Beethoven's symphonies, concertos and such. This seems to collect his best recordings into one package.

The music is astounding, from what I can tell and any fan of Beethoven would do well to pick up this set if they don't have the individual recordings by Harnoncourt already.

This set is specifically aimed at the people who are getting into Beethoven and want his material or to people who want to start collecting Harnoncourts recordings of Beethoven.

Obviously if you have Harnoncourt's recordings in part or in whole, this set might be a bit pricey but for those getting into his interpretations then this would be the perfect way to do so.

It looks like you get his complete Beethoven work and for the price it is relatively cheap. March 30, 2007

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