Beethoven - Symphonies 3 and 9 / Abbado, Mattila, Urmana, Moser, Schulte, Berlin Philharmonic

Rating:
Summary: Five stars for the 3rd and 3 stars for the 9th
Review: Symphony 3 was recorded live at Santa Cecilia, Rome. Symphony 9, on the other hand, was recorded live at Philharmonie, Berlin. Symphony 9 is the same recording as the disappointing one available with Piano Concerto No 2. Buy that DVD (Symphony 9 and Piano Concerto 2) for the Piano Concerto. Buy this DVD for Symphony 3. By the way, these 2 performances come in 2 DVDs but the labels are mixed up--the one that says the 3rd contains the 9th, and vice versa.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars for the 3rd and 3 stars for the 9th
Review: These 4 dvd's of the Beethoven Symphonies should be on any Abbado lover's rack. The sound and images are superb. A very emaciated Claudio Abbado gives the music all his talent, and the BPO responds and plays in typically superb style of the highest standard. The possibility of switching to the Orchestra's view of Abbado is amazing, and ideal for the Abbado worshippers. The performances are, in my opinion, better than the CD set by Abbado and the BPO.

Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed by Abbado lovers
Review: These 4 dvd's of the Beethoven Symphonies should be on any Abbado lover's rack. The sound and images are superb. A very emaciated Claudio Abbado gives the music all his talent, and the BPO responds and plays in typically superb style of the highest standard. The possibility of switching to the Orchestra's view of Abbado is amazing, and ideal for the Abbado worshippers. The performances are, in my opinion, better than the CD set by Abbado and the BPO.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT PERFORMANCE OF THE THIRD !
Review: This symphony cycle on DVD is better than any I own or have heard on CD. I had purchased each of the other DVDs in this set but I had not intended to acquire this one (Beethoven's 3rd and 9th had never been to my liking). .. Eventually though, I bought this DVD because of a review that I read concerning this Eroica. I am very glad I read that review. .. Abbado certainly brings something new to this performance of the 3rd. .. ( I have read that he used a new score by Jonathan Del Mar which reflects the latest Beethoven research). .. There is a passion, a spirit, in this performance that draws me back to hear again.(To a symphony I once avoided!)
I am still not fond of the 9th symphony but I am sure that the reason has nothing to do with Abbado or Berlin Philharmoniker; I just don't like it. .. The Swedish Radio Choir and the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir were magnificent as always; their sound and performance combined with Beethoven's music was beautiful and inspiring. .. Listen to them in the Verdi, Brahms, and Mozart requiems. It is easy to understand why Abbado chose them for these performances.
Buy this DVD. .. Better yet, buy the whole set. .. Truly great performances, easily affordable (one DVD at a time)!