The long Goodbye

It was during the historical months which saw the Berlin wall tumble down that Kurt Masur recorded his exquisite Symphonies cycle, roughly at the same time, Harnoncourt, a Berliner, gifted us with one of the most celebrated cycles ever.

The two venerable Maestros, whose musical ideas - albeit so different in many ways - have always been marked by a constant research for authenticity, have now left us bereft of their rigorous approach to the Masters, of their humble sensitivity.

Not only we remember them with deep gratitude, but we are also pleased to add a few others gems by other great interpreters of their time.

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 in C Major
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 in E-Flat Major 'Eroica'

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 9031-75708-2 (1990)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 in D Major
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 in C Minor

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 9031-75712-2 (1990)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 in B-Flat Major
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 in A Major

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 9031-75714-2 (1990)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 in F Major 'Pastoral'
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 in F Major

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 9031-75709-2 (1990)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 in D Minor 'Choral'

Charlotte Margiono, Soprano; Birgit Remmert, Mezzo-Soprano
Rudolf Schsching, Tenor; Robert Holl, Bass
Arnold Schoenberg Chor
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 9031-75713-2 (1991)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Missa solemnis Op. 123

Eva Mei, Soprano; Marjana Lipovšek, Mezzo-Soprano
Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Tenor; Robert Holl, Bass
Arnold Schoenberg Chor
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 9031-74884-2 (1992)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus Op. 43

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Teldec 4509-90876-2 (1993)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 1 Op. 21 in C Major
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 in C Minor

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Philips 426 782-2 (1987-1989)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 2 Op. 36 in D Major
Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 in A Major

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Philips 432 994-2 (1989-1990)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 in E-Flat Major 'Eroica'
Symphony No. 8 Op. 93 in F Major

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Philips 434 913-2 (1992)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 4 Op. 60 in B-Flat Major
Symphony No. 6 Op. 68 in F Major 'Pastoral'

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Philips 434 919-2 (1991-1992)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 in D Minor 'Choral'

Sylvia McNair, Soprano; Jard van Nes, Mezzo-Soprano
Uwe Heilmann, Tenor; Bernd Weikl, Baritone
Rundfunkchor Leipzig & Gewandhaus-Kinderchor
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Philips 434 919-2 (1991)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 in C Minor

Wiener Philharmoniker
Carlos Kleiber
DGG 415 861-2 (1975)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 in D Minor 'Choral'
Coriolan (Overture) Op. 62

Gundula Janowitz, Soprano; Hilde Rössel-Majdan, Contralto
Waldemar Kmentt, Tenor; Walter Berry, Baritone
Wiener Singverein
Berliner Philharmoniker
Herbert von Karajan
DGG 447 401-2 (1963-1966)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 in D Minor 'Choral'

Solveig Kringelborn, Soprano; Felicity Palmer, Mezzo-Soprano
Thomas Moser, Tenor; Alan Titus, Baritone
Staatsopernchor Dresden
Staatskapelle Dresden
Giuseppe Sinopoli
DGG 453 997-2 (1997)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58 in G Major
Piano Sonata No. 30 Op. 109 in E Major
Piano Sonata No. 31 Op. 110 in A-Flat Major

Hélène Grimaud, Piano
New York Philharmonic
Kurt Masur
Teldec 3984-26869-2 (1999)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58 in G Major
Piano Sonata No. 23 Op. 57 in F Minor 'Appassionata'
Piano Sonata No. 32 Op. 111 in C Minor
Quintet Op. 16 in E-Flat Major
Symphony No. 5 Op. 67 in C Minor

Carol Rosenberger, Piano
David Shifrin, Clarinet; Allan Vogel, Oboe
Robin Graham, Horn; Ken Munday, Bassoon
London Symphony Orchestra
Gerard Schwarz
Delos 3703 & 3027 (1989)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 Op. 73 in E-Flat Major 'Emperor'

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Piano
Wiener Symphoniker
Carlo Maria Giulini
DGG 419 249-2 (1979)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 Op. 73 in E-Flat Major 'Emperor'

Rudolf Serkin, Piano
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa
Telarc 80065 (1981)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 15 in C Major
Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 19 in B-Flat Major

Wiener Philharmoniker
Krystian Zimerman
DGG 437 545-2 (1991)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 3 Op. 37 in C Minor
Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58 in G Major

Krystian Zimerman, Piano
Wiener Philharmoniker
Leonard Bernstein
DGG 429 749-2 (1989)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 Op. 73 in E-Flat Major 'Emperor'

Krystian Zimerman, Piano
Wiener Philharmoniker
Leonard Bernstein
DGG 429 748-2 (1989)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58 in G Major
Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 9 D. 944 in C Major 'Great'
Richard Wagner
Lohengrin, Prelude Act 1

Evgeny Kissin, Piano
The MET Orchestra
James Levine
DGG 028948105533 (2013)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 19 in B-Flat Major
Piano Concerto No. 5 Op. 73 in E-Flat Major 'Emperor'

Evgeny Kissin, Piano
Philharmonia Orchestra
James Levine
Sony SK 62926 (1996)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 3 Op. 37 in C Minor
Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 58 in G Major

Mitsuko Uchida, Piano
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Kurt Sanderling
Philips 446 082-2 (1994)
Ludwig van Beethoven
The 5 Piano Concertos
Choral Fantasy Op. 80

Daniel Barenboim, Piano
John Alldis Choir
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Otto Klemperer
EMI 7 63360 2 (1968)
Ludwig van Beethoven
The 5 Piano Concertos

Murray Perahia, Piano
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Bernard Haitink
Sony S3K 44 575 (1986)
Ludwig van Beethoven
The 5 Piano Concertos
Piano Sonata No. 23 Op. 57 in F Minor 'Appassionata'

András Schiff, PianoStaatskapelle Dresden
Bernard Haitink
Teldec 0630-13159-2 (1996)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Triple Concerto Op. 56 in C Major
Choral Fantasy Op. 80

Beaux Arts Trio
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Kurt Masur
Philips 438 005-2 (1993)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Trio Op. 70 No. 1 in D 'Ghost'
Piano Trio Op. 97 in B-Flat 'Archduke'

Beaux Arts Trio
Philips 412 891-2 (1979-1981)
Ludwig van Beethoven
The Violin Sonatas

Anne-Sophie Mutter, Violin
Lambert Orkis, Piano
DGG 457 619-2 (1998)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Sonata No. 9 Op. 47 in A Major 'Kreutzer'
Violin Sonata No. 10 Op. 96 in G Major

Gidon Kremer, Violin
Martha Argerich, Piano
DGG 447 054-2 (1994)
Ludwig van Beethoven
The String Quartets

Amadeus Quartet
DGG 463 143-2 (1959/1963)
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 9 Op. 59 No. 3 in C Major 'Razumovsky'
String Quartet No. 10 Op. 74 in E-Flat Major 'Harp'

Amadeus Quartet
Decca 421 364-2 (1987)
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 12 Op. 127 in E-Flat Major
String Quartet No. 14 Op. 131 in C-Sharp Minor

Cleveland Quartet
Telarc 80425 (1995)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 29 Op. 106 in B-Flat 'Hammerklavier'
Piano Sonata No. 26 Op. 81a in E-Flat 'Les adieux'

Alfred Brendel, Piano
Philips 446 093-2 (1994-1995)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 Op. 13 in C Minor 'Pathétique'
Piano Sonata No. 9 Op. 14 No. 1 in E Major
Piano Sonata No. 10 Op. 14 No. 2 in G Major
Piano Sonata No. 11 Op. 22 in B-Flat Major

Alfred Brendel, Piano
Philips 442 774-2 (1994)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 30 Op. 109 in E Major
Piano Sonata No. 31 Op. 110 in A-Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 32 Op. 111 in C Minor

Alfred Brendel, Piano
Philips 446 701-2 (1995-1996)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 24 Op. 78 in F-Sharp Major
Piano Sonata No. 21 Op. 53 in C Major 'Waldstein'
Piano Sonata No. 31 Op. 110 in A-Flat Major

Stephen Kovacevich, Piano
EMI 7 54896 2 (1992)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 30 Op. 109 in E Major
Piano Sonata No. 12 Op. 26 in A-Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 19 Op. 49 No. 1 in G Minor
Piano Sonata No. 20 Op. 49 No. 2 in G Major
Bagatelles Op. 126

Stephen Kovacevich, Piano
EMI 5 56148 2 (1996)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 16 Op. 31 No. 1 in G Major
Piano Sonata No. 17 Op. 31 No. 2 in D Minor 'Tempest'
Piano Sonata No. 18 Op. 31 No. 3 in E-Flat Major

Stephen Kovacevich, Piano
EMI 5 55226 2 (1994)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 29 Op. 106 in B-Flat 'Hammerklavier'
Piano Sonata No. 26 Op. 81a in E-Flat 'Les adieux'
Bagatelles Op. 119

Stephen Kovacevich, Piano
EMI 5 57398 2 (2002)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 11 Op. 22 in B-Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 12 Op. 26 in A-Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 21 Op. 53 in C Major 'Waldstein'

Maurizio Pollini, Piano
DGG 435 472-2 (1997)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 17 Op. 31 No. 2 in D Minor 'Tempest'
Piano Sonata No. 21 Op. 53 in C Major 'Waldstein'
Piano Sonata No. 25 Op. 79 in G Major
Piano Sonata No. 26 Op. 81a in E-Flat 'Les adieux'

Maurizio Pollini, Piano
DGG 427 642-2 (1988)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 Op. 27 No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor 'Moonlight'
Piano Sonata No. 26 Op. 81a in E-Flat 'Les adieux'
Piano Sonata No. 17 Op. 31 No. 2 in D Minor 'Tempest'

Daniel Barenboim, Piano
DGG 427 803-2 (1983)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 31 Op. 110 in A-Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 32 Op. 111 in C Minor

Daniel Barenboim, Piano
DGG 423 371-2 (1981)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 32 Op. 111 in C Minor
Frédéric Chopin
Scherzo No. 1 Op. 20 in B Minor
Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise Op. 22 in E-Flat Major
Mazurka Op. 33 No. 4 in B Minor

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Piano
Ermitage 432-2 (1990)
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 Op. 27 No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor 'Moonlight'
Johannes Brahms
Variations on a Theme by Paganini Op. 35
César Franck
Prélude, Choral et Fugue

Evgeny Kissin, Piano
RCA 0902668910 2 (1997)

Flac & Scans

Previous Beethoven post by Davide from August 2014 here