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Rating: 
Summary: Good Performances -- Monument to the Conductor
Review: At this point, Sony has released all of its von Karajan performances of the Beethoven symphonies on five DVDs. They are all very good performances, created for film (rather than concert performance) in the early 80s. Von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, his personal orchestra, and the performance is as much von Karajan as Beethoven. Musically, these are very fine performances, with von Karajan in absolute control of the orchestra which plays very precisely. These are the performance as he wanted to present them -- smooth, well thought-out, and note-perfect. This particular disk gives a chance to compare early symphony to a much later one and see how much the composer expanded the form.There is probably no right way to put symphonic music onto film -- these productions (made by conductor's own film company) spend most of their time focused on the conductor with cut-away shots to both individual and groups of instrumentalists (also singers in the 9th), usually focusing on the instruments themselves rather than the players. It is fascinating to watch von Karajan -- his authority in the music and with this orchestra are clear thoughout each performance. He conducts without a baton and uses his whole body to conduct, though not in a distracting way (I am thinking of Leonard Bernstein here). The sound and picture on these DVDs are excellent; the sound is truly comparable to a well-recorded CD. The soundtrack is available both in stereo and also an excellent 5.1 Dolby mix. The disks have a set of program notes and a biography of von Karajan.
Rating:
Summary: observing a master
Review: It is not only an entertaining experience to see and hear the orchestra, but a fascinating educational one to watch a master conductor at work. Here, Karajan, who was somewhat of a conducting prodigy, displays himself in his later, wiser years. The music is fantastic, the conducting a rare peek at the driver's seat of the orchestra. He is commanding. He is authoritative, and his orchestra responds to him. There is much to be learned as well as much to be enjoyed from this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: What a legacy?
Review: Karajan is a sad example of the shortcomings of the Nuremberg Trial: although he was one of the conductors pleasing Adolf Hitler, he has been permitted to slaughter Beethoven, Vivaldi (and so many others who didn't deserve that) when he should have directed only Berlioz or Wagner. Just listen to Beethoven or Dvorak directed by Eugene Ormandi, or even Georg Solti, and you'll understand why I think that Karajan got for music the same lightness as a lead-footed deep-sea diver got for dancing the can-can.
Rating:
Summary: Greatness is not a respector of name.
Review: One might judge von Karajan as a person, and find his actions quite low indeed. Never the less, I have found his DVD of "Beethoven Symphonies numbers One and Eight" to be simply outstanding. As the Greek law maker Solon suggested so many hundreds of years ago, "Judge not the dead for they may place a curse on you the living." So, I prefer to watch and listen to this great work, and leave his serious personal failings to others.
Rating:
Summary: Greatness is not a respector of name.
Review: One might judge von Karajan as a person, and find his actions quite low indeed. Never the less, I have found his DVD of "Beethoven Symphonies numbers One and Eight" to be simply outstanding. As the Greek law maker Solon suggested so many hundreds of years ago, "Judge not the dead for they may place a curse on you the living." So, I prefer to watch and listen to this great work, and leave his serious personal failings to others.
Rating:
Summary: Greatness is not a respector of name.
Review: One might judge von Karajan as a person, and find his actions quite low indeed. Never the less, I have found his DVD of "Beethoven Symphonies numbers One and Eight" to be simply outstanding. As the Greek law maker Solon suggested so many hundreds of years ago, "Judge not the dead for they may place a curse on you the living." So, I prefer to watch and listen to this great work, and leave his serious personal failings to others.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Performances
Review: This DVD gives the listener the opportunity to compare the early and late Beethoven. The early, Haydn-style Beethoven's first symphony should made a dramatic impression on the public at the time it was first performed. It's so powerful and elegant at the same time. The incredible last movement makes you ask why this symphony is so rarely interpreted. The Eight was one of Beethoven's favorites. In my youth (not so long ago) it was one of my least favorites. It was years later while listening my complete collection and working on something else that I "discovered" it. Among his last symphonies this one is one of the "classic"style, or so they say, but it has one of the most spectacular developments (middle part of the first movement). Beethoven was great in developments, and this one begins with a rhythmic "ta-ta-ta-taa" theme that very much resembles his famous Fifth. Then, the first theme of the movement is developed in a fugue, which leads to a dramatic and glorious triple forte. The last movement has one of the famous endless Beethoven's finals. These performances are impossible to criticize, so powerful they are, and the BPO is without any doubt the best playing Beethoven. I love the way this guys put all their energy in the music. This DVD sets the last two remaining symphonies of the collection. I wonder when they are going to publish the overtures!
Rating:
Summary: A revelation.
Review: This is the first DVD I have bought and these are not my favourite Beethoven Symphonies. But what a revelation! A magnificent and entertaining experience seeing this great conductor at work. Indeed a great monument to his work. If the conductor seems to be an important focus point this is quite fitting since it seems to capture something of the interpretation of this wonderful music (I can't stop listening to it) that isn't that obvious by only listening to the recordings which are available on CD. Strongly recommended.
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