Symphony No. 7 in A major

Ludwig van Beethoven

Enregistrements

Premier Choix

Leonard Bernstein / Vienna Philharmonic

1979

Gil's top choice. From an 'excellent' cycle. He says Bernstein's 'gifts for rhythm' are on display, combining rhythm with power and the 'beauty of the Vienna Philharmonic.'

Également Recommandés

Karl Böhm / Vienna Philharmonic

c. 1970s

Another top choice. Described as 'awesome,' 'a little bit more steady in his tempos,' and 'a really beautiful recording and very natural.'

Carlos Kleiber / Vienna Philharmonic

1976

'Perhaps the most famous interpretation.' It's 'very incisive, very dramatic,' and the allegretto 'moves a little bit more.'

Carlos Kleiber / Bavarian State Orchestra

1982 Live recording

Gil says this one is 'even more so... really electric and on fire, especially in that last movement.'

Sir Charles Mackerras / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

c. 1990s

Good if you like it quicker, especially the Allegretto. It 'almost sounds like a period performance' and benefits from Mackerras's approach.

Otto Klemperer / Philharmonia

1955 Mono recording

More disciplined and not rushing, but has an 'almost hypnotic, relentless quality' that keeps Gil's attention.

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Berlin Philharmonic

1953 Live recording

'One of his better sounding recordings.' Similar to Klemperer but with 'more flexibility.' Gil highlights the tempo fluctuations in the third movement.

Arturo Toscanini / New York Philharmonic

1936

A 'legendary performance' with limited sound. It's 'a little bit more conventional in terms of its tempo' but has 'that Toscanini discipline... incisiveness... excitement.'