James Zehm ([log in to unmask]) wrote:


Deryk Barker [log in to unmask] wrote:
>
>>However: don't trust the PG on Beethoven, they're still raving about
>>Karajan's 1977 cycle (or were last time I looked) and Eliot Gardiner....
>
>Penguin Guide makes a rightful statement here as Karajans Beethoven got
>better and better (See there what psychotherapy can do!:) and still his
>1969 "Eroica" is absolutely ravishing!!

Sorry, I disagree, his Beethoven hardly improved over the years: his
1950s Philharmonia set is better than any of the three BPO sets - although
the 1962 9th is worth it for Gundula Janowitz in the finale.

As to the Eroica: 1969? I have his 1944 studio recording (best of themn
all for my money) the 1950s Phil, 1962 BPO, 1977 BPO and a 1968ish Salzburg
Festival live.  Don't know a 1969 though.

>For Gardiner, this is the old period performance discussion, and I never
>get into religious discussion, nor its likes...

No it's not, actually.  It's a question of *which* HIP condcutor and for
my money it's not Eliot Gardiner.

Deryk Barker
[log in to unmask]