Wanting more to my Ludwig Van collection....suggestions

[Catmando]

I am looking to expanding my Beethoven collection. I currently have the complete Beethoven symphonies, piano concerti, and piano sonatas, Fidelio and most of his overtures.

I am considering adding to my collection (not in particular order):

a) Complete String Quartets (by Quattro Italiano)
b) Violin Concerto in D major
c) Missa Solemnis
d) Mass in C major
e) Complete violin sonatas

Are there other works then the above mentioned I should consider looking into?

I would love to have your suggestions and opinions!

Merci beaucoup!

Ray

<small>[ 04-04-2006, 10:51 PM: Message edited by: rayzor17 ]</small>

[bignaf]

there's the triple concerto (not a great work in Beethoven standards), the choral fantasy (interesting work), and the diabelli variations (must have).
some people will add the cello sonatas, I'm not a fan.
the piano trios (Ghost, Archduke) are good.
don't bother with the songs.

[Catmando]

Thanks bignaf,

I forgot to mention the Triple Concerto. I do have it and like it.

Ray

[shostakovich]

Since I fancy orchestral, finish the overtures. The complete Prometheus Ballet is available, but I'm not crazy about it. It does, however, contain a dance that uses the same theme as in the Eroica last movement. That dance also appears as one of the 12 German Dances (or Contradances?). I think it's #7. Then, there's the Eroica Variations (piano), almost 1/2 hour long, with that same tune. The Grosse Fugue (quartet, I think. also orchestrated) is worth while. Happy hunting.
Shos

[Hexameron]

I agree with the posts suggesting the String Quartets, Triple Concerto, and Piano Trios, but you MUST get the Romances for Violin and Orchestra. To me, they are underrated works, and you'll wish that you had heard them sooner.

[Catmando]

I just got the Beethoven complete violin sonatas (Gideon Kremer and Marthra Argerich) and complete string quartets (Quartetto Italiano) that I ordered from B&N in the mail this week.

I haven't listened to all of them yet, but I am utterly wowed and impressed with what I've listened too so far! Most amazing works of LVB since I first listened to all his symphonies a little over a year ago.

Shap,

Also got the EMI budget box set of Mahler's symphonies conducted by Klaus Tennstedt you had recommended to me. Just started to listen to it. Enjoying it very much.

So many hours of music to listen to......so little time.

Ray

[Shapley]

Ray,

I hope you like it. I've listened to a couple more symphonies on mine. The "Resurection" ( No. 2) isn't up to Bernstein (but then, whose is?), but it's pretty good.

V/R
Shapley

[violinist4ever]

I love the Violin Concerto! I performed it a year or two ago....I love it!

[Catmando]

Shap,

Symphony# 2 "Ressurection" is my next Mahler symphony to listen to! I know # 2 is your favorite, as it is for many people.

Ray

Violist4ever,

LVB's Violin Concerto is my next purchase, as right now I only have the second movement Larghetto from a mixed compilation's disc.

Ray

[Trumpetmaster]

Shap,

Symphony# 2 "Ressurection" is my next Mahler symphony to listen to! I know # 2 is your favorite, as it is for many people.

Ray

Violist4ever,

LVB's Violin Concerto is my next purchase, as right now I only have the second movement Larghetto from a mixed compilation's disc.

Ray

Mahler 5th for me!
Then Mahler 7th.....

Regards,
TM

[Shapley]

Mahler 5th for me!
Then Mahler 7th.....

Regards,
TM

Why is everybody goes gaga over the odd numbers. Beethoven's 5th, Beethoven's 7th, Beethoven's 3rd, Beethoven's 9th, Mahler's 5th, Mahler's 7th, etc. etc. etc.

Give those even numbers a chance, I say!

V/R
Shapley

[Trumpetmaster]

Mahler 5th for me!
Then Mahler 7th.....

Regards,
TM

Why is everybody goes gaga over the odd numbers. Beethoven's 5th, Beethoven's 7th, Beethoven's 3rd, Beethoven's 9th, Mahler's 5th, Mahler's 7th, etc. etc. etc.

Give those even numbers a chance, I say!

V/R
Shapley

Don't know but I must tell you Mahler's 5th is basically a trumpet concerto in the opening!!!!

[Shapley]

Ah! Yes. I had forgotten...

[Trumpetmaster]

Mahler 2nd mvmnt 1 is playing!!!

[Catmando]

I agree with Shap.

Give the even numbered symphonies more credit.

LVB's Pastoral symphony # 6 is fantastic. And the less popular symphony# 4 is one that I personally enjoy very much. The 1st movement is one of my favorites.

Ray

[jamiebk]

I agree with Shap.

Give the even numbered symphonies more credit.

LVB's Pastoral symphony # 6 is fantastic. And the less popular symphony# 4 is one that I personally enjoy very much. The 1st movement is one of my favorites.

Ray

I agree with you on #4...I listen to it all the time. The opening movement always delights me in its pure exuberance. In fact I often listen to it while I am racing/riding my bike. I have the complete 9 symphonies in a boxed set. They are conducted by John Eliot Gardiner with the Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique...all on period instruments. This is an Archiv recording D207136. The tempo of music is very quick, which you will notice if you compare recording times with those of more traditional slower paced recordings.

As to the Mahler...yeah, I am with you on that one too. The Resurrection (#2) just says it all! The version I have is unusual. It is perfromed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gilbert Kaplan....who's he you say? Well, its an interesting story. Kaplan was a publisher by profession. The story goes that he was attending a dressed rehearsal of the Resurrection one time and was so incrededibly moved by the experience it turned into an obsession. He dedicatated himself to intensive research into the symphony's background, sources and history. He acquired Mahler's autograph score, published scholarly essays, restored Mahler's composing cottage, established the first Mahler museum, created a Foundation, lectured extensively and emerged as the world's foremost authority on the Resurrection. Then, at the age of 40, he learned to read music, took conducting lessons and toured the world to lead the Resurrection. In 1987, Kaplan produced a recording. Reportedly, it's become the best-selling Mahler record of all time. This is the recording I have. It's edgy and powerful. You can find it on MCA classics MCAD2 - 11011 MCD 20112. ENJOY!

[Shapley]

Jamie,

I wasn't aware of Kaplan. I see two recordings of the 2nd by him:

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/ ... 3728&ITM=1

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/ ... 8021&ITM=2

The first is with the London Symphony Orchestra, the second with the Vienna Philharmonic. Both seem to have rave reviews.

V/R
Shapley

[jamiebk]

I suspect that the first one (London Symphony) is most like the original recording I have. I bought mine years ago through BMG

[Shapley]

Jamie,

Apparently so, even though it's apparently released on a different label. I may have to add one of them to my 'wish list' on B&N, although I notice in the reviews that the 1990 Bernstein recording is still considered to be 'definitive' of Mahler's 2nd. My Bernstein recording, on vinyl is older than that, so I guess my Mahler collection lacks definition.

V/R
Shapley

[Bones]

In my opinion, you can skip the Kaplan version. The guy is a Mahler hobbiest, not a conductor. I believe the Mahler 2nd is the only thing he conducts, and he was big several years ago as a novelty. I bought a recording of Kaplan several years ago. I listened to it once, all the way through, but I can't make it all the way through his conducting a second time (I've tried). Mediocre is being complimentary when talking about the quality of Kaplan's conducting. There are just too many other better versions around.