Recommendations

aj78

Can anyone recommend a good recording of Beethoven's 5th? It should be an excellent test piece, but I've been totally put off a lot of versions recently by the insipid approach to the opening phrase. After all, the piece is supposed to express Beethoven's rage against the inevitable onset of his deafness, and the orchestra should have those eight notes to express all that rage and bitterness and anger, but they just seem to play the "ba-ba-ba-baarp, ba-ba-ba-baarp" as if they're bored on a rainy day - no bite or passion about the notes.

ACX

I usually like Karajan's versions, his direction is fast and energic, very teutonic

although I don't have any version that could be defined excellent in terms of sound quality.
A good alternative is the Claudio Abbado & Wiener Philarmoniker version, more relaxed and detailed, which allows to focus on the nuances.

Orion

For me this is the best interpretation of the Beethoven's 5th. Try it and let me know your opinion.
http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/cat/4791106

Bye.

Simone.

Vincenzo Walz

I always test my new equipment with these:

1. A Moment's Notice (Bob James Trio - Bold Conceptions 1962)
2. Rockhouse (Joe Sample & David T Walker - Swing Street Cafe 1981)
3. Ue Wo Muite Aruko (Hiromi's Sonicbloom - Beyond Standard 2008)
4. Isn't It Beautiful (Brian Bromberg - In the Spirit of Jobim 2007)
5. Freedom Jazz Dance (E.Harris) (Brian Bromberg - Wood 2001)
6. Alacran y Pistolero (Chingуn - Mexican Spaghetti Western 2004)
7. I've Got News For You (David Sanborn - Here & Gone 2008)
8. One Of A Kind (Donald Harrison - Heroes 2004)
9. Outro Duction (Power - The Essential Marcus Miller 2006)
10. Easy Does It (The Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train 1962)
11. Spinning Wheel (Spinning Wheel Feel The Difference Of The Blu-spec CD: Rock Selection 2009)
12. Chitlins Con Carne (Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Sky Is Crying MFSL 1991)
13. Empty Arms (Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Sky Is Crying MFSL 1991)

george.kim1986

ACX wroteI usually like Karajan's versions, his direction is fast and energic, very teutonic although I don't have any version that could be defined excellent in terms of sound quality.
A good alternative is the Claudio Abbado & Wiener Philarmoniker version, more relaxed and detailed, which allows to focus on the nuances.

I'm at a loss of words tbh. I've been looking for a version that sounds closest to the original. The problem is, I don't think we'll ever be able to know what original actually sounded like. Being somewhat a music student (guitar) I think every musician adds tiny details of touch to his/her music that really gives it a feel. I'd have loved to hear what Beethoven must be going through and how he expressed his notes.