Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies

Mainstream Beethoven At Its Finest

Jochum is a superb Beethoven interpreter. None of the histrionics of some cycles. No over the top interpretations trying to re-invent Ludwig. Just old fashioned great conducting. For example, the Third brings out the pageantry and the heroic flows beautifully from start to finish. The Fifth is well balanced, just right. The Sixth connects with nature in the manner that Beethoven composed it. The Eighth dances, is exquisitely paced, and a seminal interpretation that quashes the competition. The sound quality is excellent, up to recording's best for that era. Snatch it up for the listening pleasure. August 20, 2008

Beethoven by a master.

Several of the 8 reviews that precede this show quite clearly one of the problems facing Classical Music in the 21st Century - a total lack of comprehension of what classical music should sound like. Jochum's Phillips cycle represents the grand Beethoven conduction of the previous century - one not concerned with "inner voices" and psychological claptrap as Karajan heard and forced us to hear in his Beethoven and not beset (or is the better verb 'besotted'?) with Rattle's need to be different and stunning incomprehension of the tradition he purports to represent. This is great Beethoven in the same league as that of Bruno Walter, Klemperer, Eric Kleiber, Reiner et al and Jochum's younger contemporary, Kurt Masur whose early 1970's cycle, also on Phillips, is quite similar in approach to Jochum's but not to my mind as compelling. One can't have too much of a good thing when it comes to the Beethoven symphonies and I'm grateful to have these finally available in CD to join the cycles of Walter, Klemperer, Ansermet, Masur, Bohm, Mackerras, Hogwood, Zinman, Norrington among others on my shelves. June 12, 2007

I Used to Admire Jochum, but now, I LOVE HIM!

Like many music lovers, I first associated the name Eugen Jochum with the music of Bruckner. However, this set shows a true affinity with Beethoven's music, in a manner comparable to Furtwangler and Weingartner. One could in fact call Jochum's interpretive style as belonging to the Grand German Tradition of combining expressive freedom with structural awareness. Yet, like Rudolf Kempe, Jochum is no mere imitator, but rather, a CREATIVE interpreter who has clearly evolved his own ideas into a most compelling whole. Comparing this cycle with his earlier DG set of the Nine, I would say that his interpretive profile is basically the same, but executed with even greater intensity and vigor. This is not a matter of faster tempi, but of sharper emphases, greater tranparency of textures, and leaner sonorities, in short, an intensification of the features that made his earlier set outstanding. I would not want to be without the DG set, as it has its own special qualities, but if forced to choose between the two, I could choose the Philips, for its outstanding stereo sound and the consistency of using one orchestra for the whole cycle. As for the performances themselves, there is not a single weak moment in any of them; but if forced to single out a single symphony, I would have to point to the truly spiritual fervor of the "Choral" Symphony as the epitome of Jochum's almost mystical connection with Beethoven (this is VERY much a Furtwanglerian trait!). But then, there are also the motoric tension and drive of the "Eroica", the sudden sunburst of sound beginning the Finale of the Fifth, and the joyous rhythms of the Seventh (listen to the First Movement Coda for its subtle expansions and voicing of the bass passages, and compare to Weingartner and Furtwangler). It seems that Eugen Jochum clearly belongs in the ranks of the very few MASTERLY Beethoven conductors, and along with Rudolf Kempe, (and probably Joseph Keilberth, if his "Ring" is any measure)the very last representative of the German School of conducting. I'm curious to know what other listeners think of this cycle. May 30, 2007

I'm Sorry...

I'm sorry, but this is perhaps the worst Beethoven cycle I ever heard!

Boring..Bland..Tired and Routine. It's incredible! Even Hogwood has more insights and more enthusiasm!

Even though Jochum is one of my very favorite conductors, I can't stand by this set at all, Jochum is almost out of the picture on this one, they play by themselves, with no internal direction, they are not inspired at all! Facts to back myself up?...Just compare this cycle to his cycle from the late 70's with the London Symphony Orchestra! (Best Stereo Beethoven cycle in my opinion).

I don't know what this set is trying to highlight, but it definetly is not Jochum's art or Beethoven's Symphonies. It's like the producers couldn't care less for Beethoven or Jochum.

It's like Beethoven was a ploy for recording the Concertgebouw orchestra in their hall. Don't get duped...Get Jochum's 3rd cycle with the LSO originally recorded by EMI but released only as of yet on Disky Communications. May 29, 2007

Not Jochum's best, but excellent nonetheless

There are currently two Eugen Jochum Beethoven cycles available, both labelled "Original Masters" - one from DG and now this one from Philips. While the former is partly mono and uses two German orchestras (Berliner Philharmoniker and Bavarian RSO), the present set is in stereo and boasts Concertgebouw Orchestra and the excellent acoustics of its venue, the Concertgebouw.

Jochum's interpretations are as always flexible and subjective, like Furtwängler's - even if he avoids the extremes of the latter conductor. Thus, as in his earlier set, the standard is old school grandeur. Generally, however, the selected tempi in Jochum's Dutch remakes are more brisk than those in his earlier German cycle.

Still, timings don't tell us everything. In fact, the Dutch remakes appear to be both somewhat slower and smoother because there are fewer tempo changes. Nonetheless, Jochum's interpretations are very beautiful, demonstrating his masterly understanding of this music. In addition, we get outstanding playing and superb sound.

In sum, my conclusion is that serious Beethoven collectors need Jochum's Dutch cycle, despite his more mellow interpretations. It has interesting insights to offer, even if compared with Jochum's earlier, clearly superior set. So I advice you to pick the DG cycle as well, if you want to hear Jochum's Beethoven at its very best. (The one-cycle seeker, however, should consider Klemperer's classic Beethoven cycle on EMI as the first choice.)
April 7, 2007

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