Overtures — Collections and Selections

Ludwig van Beethoven

Kurt Masur / Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

Overture collection 1970s

Top recommendation for a near-complete set. Really crisp performances, not idiosyncratic, hit all the right notes. A great way to get to know these pieces. Wonderful sound and orchestra.

Apple Music — Complete overtures on an album with Beethoven dances.

Karl Böhm / Vienna Philharmonic; Staatskapelle Dresden

Egmont, The Creatures of Prometheus, Coriolan, Fidelio and Leonore No. 3.

Part of his symphony cycle. Not as complete as Masur (has the big ones). Very powerful interpretations, wonderful sound. Tempos can be a little on the slower side, but has power and relentlessness.

Apple Music — Egmont, Coriolan and Prometheus with the Vienna Philharmonic; Fidelio and Leonore No. 3 with Staatskapelle Dresden, within a Beethoven collection.

Otto Klemperer / Philharmonia Orchestra

Egmont, The Creatures of Prometheus, Leonore Nos. 1–3, Fidelio and Coriolan; Egmont incidental music is also discussed.

Part of his symphony cycle. Features Klemperer's customary power and relentlessness. Captures Beethoven's 'gruffness' unmistakably, even if tempos are slow (late in his career).

YouTube — Leonore Nos. 1–3, Fidelio and Coriolan, with two additional overtures.