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Decca's five-CD set Ultimate Beethoven is a respectable beginner's introduction to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven because it presents his greatest masterworks in complete performances by major artists. Where some other collections present only short, thematic excerpts or single movements taken from larger works, obliging the listener to put in additional effort to hear the whole compositions, this set leaves nothing incomplete. Central to Beethoven's output are his symphonies, and the Symphony No. 5 in C minor; the Symphony No. 6 in F major, "Pastoral"; and the Symphony No. 9 in D minor, "Choral" have long been regarded as essential works. The Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major and the Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, "Emperor," similarly are regarded as supreme achievements, as is the Violin Concerto in D major, one of the finest in the genre. Of his piano sonatas, the Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, "Pathétique"; the Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, "Moonlight"; and the Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, "Appassionata" are perennial favorites, as well as quite representative of the innovative approach and inspiration Beethoven brought to the form. Because this survey offers performances by great musicians, such as conductors Bernard Haitink, Georg Solti, and Zubin Mehta; pianists Vladimir Ashkenazy and Claudio Arrau; and violinist Henryk Szeryng, the quality of the playing is exceptionally high, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra give the symphonies and concertos the firm textures and dynamic power Beethoven's music requires. © Blair Sanderson, Rovi
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Ludwig van Beethoven ComposerSymphony No.5 in C-, Op.67 Work |
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| 1 | 1.Allegro con brio | 7:05 | $1.49 | |||
| 2 | 2.Andante con moto | 9:57 | $1.49 | |||
| 3 | 3.Scherzo: Allegro | 5:07 | $0.99 | |||
| 4 | 4.Allegro | 8:57 | $1.49 | |||
Ludwig van Beethoven ComposerSymphony No.6 in F, Op.68 ('Pastoral') Work |
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| 5 | 1.Allegro ma non troppo: Angenehme, heitere Empfindungen, welche bei der Ankunft (Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the countryside) | 12:03 | $1.99 | |||
| 6 | 2.Andante molto mosso: Szene am Bach (Scene by the brook) | 12:41 | $1.99 | |||
| 7 | 3.Allegro: Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute (Merry gathering of country folk) | 5:58 | $0.99 | |||
| 8 | 4.Allegro: Donner. Sturm (Thunder, storm) | 3:38 | $0.99 | |||
| 9 | 5.Allegretto: Hirtengesang. Wohltätige, mit Dank and die Goltheit verbundene Gefühle nach dem Sturm (Shepherds' song. Beneficent feelings with thanks to the Godhead after the storm) | 9:31 | $1.49 | |||
| CD 2 of 5 | ||||||
Ludwig van Beethoven ComposerSymphony No.9 in D-, Op.125 ('Choral') Work
Reinhild Runkel Contralto,
Jessye Norman Soprano,
Chicago Symphony Chorus Chorus/Choir,
Robert Schunk Tenor,
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Orchestra,
Georg Solti Conductor,
Hans Sotin Bass
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| 1 | 1.Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso | 18:10 | $2.99 | |||
| 2 | 2.Scherzo: Molto vivace. Presto | 11:51 | $1.99 | |||
| 3 | 3.Adagio molto e cantabile | 19:58 | $3.49 | |||
| 4 | 4.Presto. Allegro assai ('Ode to Joy'; complete) | 24:40 | $3.99 | |||
| CD 3 of 5 | ||||||
Ludwig van Beethoven ComposerPiano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.58 Work |
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| 1 | 1.Allegro moderato | 20:06 | $3.49 | |||
| 2 | 2.Andante con moto | 5:48 | $0.99 | |||
| 3 | 3.Rondo: Vivace | 10:07 | $1.99 | |||
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| 4 | 1.Allegro | 20:36 | $3.49 | |||
| 5 | 2.Adagio un poco mosso | 8:08 | $1.49 | |||
| 6 | 3.Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo | 11:11 | $1.99 | |||
| CD 4 of 5 | ||||||
Ludwig van Beethoven ComposerViolin Concerto in D, Op.61 Work |
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| 1 | 1.Allegro ma non troppo | 26:02 | $3.99 | |||
| 2 | 2.Larghetto | 9:32 | $1.49 | |||
| 3 | 3.Rondo: Allegro | 10:14 | $1.99 | |||
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| 4 | Romance for Violin and Orchestra No.1 in G, Op.40 | 8:00 | $1.49 | |||
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| 5 | Romance for Violin and Orchestra No.2 in F, Op.50 | 9:27 | $1.49 | |||
| CD 5 of 5 | ||||||
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Claudio Arrau Piano
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| 1 | 1.Grave. Allegro di molto e con brio | 9:08 | $1.49 | |||
| 2 | 2.Adagio cantabile | 6:20 | $0.99 | |||
| 3 | 3.Rondo: Allegro | 4:30 | $0.99 | |||
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Claudio Arrau Piano
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| 4 | 1.Allegro assai | 11:12 | $1.99 | |||
| 5 | 2.Andante con moto (attaca) | 7:18 | $1.49 | |||
| 6 | 3.Allegro ma non troppo | 8:15 | $1.49 | |||
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Claudio Arrau Piano
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| 7 | 1.Adagio sostenuto | 6:45 | $0.99 | |||
| 8 | 2.Allegretto | 2:26 | $0.99 | |||
| 9 | 3.Presto agitato | 7:48 | $1.49 | |||









