Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Ludwig van Beethoven

Recordings

Top Choice

Carlos Kleiber / Vienna Philharmonic

1974

Gil's top choice, calling it 'arguably the most famous classical music recording ever made.' He describes it as 'so darned electric' with a 'great sense of drama.'

Also Worth Hearing

Leonard Bernstein / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

1976 Live recording

From the 'patient school.' A powerful performance that 'grows on you.' Gil specifies this live recording is better than his later Vienna cycle recording.

Sir Charles Mackerras / Royal Philharmonic

1992

More aggressive and energetic. Close to a period performance with modern instruments, favoring transparency and faster tempos. Gil finds it 'very dramatic and very powerful.'

Jos van Immerzeel / Anima Eterna Brugge

2007 Period performance

A period performance that is 'very light and very quick.' Gil says it shows the benefits of period performance and is 'exciting in its own way.'

Otto Klemperer / Philharmonia

1955 Mono recording

More exciting than his stereo version. Gil describes it as 'very steady, very disciplined, but he has this relentlessness.'

Erich Kleiber / Concertgebouw

1953

Has energy and excitement, but with 'even more of a feeling of looseness... almost more of a wild abandon.'

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Vienna Philharmonic

c. 1950s EMI studio recording

Gil feels this studio recording 'doesn't have the same energy' as his live performances.

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Berlin Philharmonic

1944 Live recording (wartime)

A wartime recording that is powerful and in fairly good sound for its period.

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Berlin Philharmonic

May 25, 1947 Live recording

Gil's pick for 'maybe the most thrilling Beethoven fifth' he's ever heard. He notes it's 'just electric' and holds attention all the way to the end.

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Berlin Philharmonic

May 23, 1954 Live recording

A little slower but 'really powerful,' with 'strong granitic chords.' He praises the 'unheard-of' transition from the third to the final movement.

Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony Orchestra

1939

'Electric.' The first movement is 'almost militaristic... very sharp and clipped and very disciplined and yet exciting.'