{"id":49125,"date":"2024-11-05T10:11:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T09:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/a38f4d78-b3ba-460a-a9c5-7521ada27c31"},"modified":"2024-11-05T11:07:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T10:07:17","slug":"best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Beethoven recordings of all time: 20 great moments in Beethoven recording history"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 05 November 2024 at 09:11 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Ludwig van Beethoven<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s music has inspired generations with its emotional depth, structural innovation, and unparalleled power. His compositions – from the intense, dramatic and emotional symphonies<\/a><\/strong> and intricate string quartets<\/a><\/strong> to the profound piano sonatas and timeless concertos<\/a><\/strong> – remain central to classical music today. But with such a vast catalogue of interpretations and performances, knowing where to start can be overwhelming.<\/p>

<\/div> <\/figure> <p>This list of the 20 best Beethoven recordings captures the essence of his genius across different genres and eras, bringing together landmark interpretations by legendary conductors, virtuoso pianists, and world-renowned ensembles.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a class=\"standard-card-new__article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/10-best-books-about-beethoven\/\">10 of the best books about Beethoven<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>Each recording on this list offers a unique perspective on Beethoven\u2019s works, highlighting various facets of his dynamic and revolutionary style. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned listener or new to Beethoven\u2019s world, these essential recordings offer an incredible journey through the artistry of one of music’s greatest minds.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a class=\"standard-card-new__article-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/20-key-dates-in-beethovens-life-a-timeline\/\">20 key dates in Beethoven\u2019s life: A timeline<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Beethoven recordings: the symphonies<\/h2> <p>1\/ For <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/how-many-symphonies-did-beethoven-write\">Beethoven’s symphonies<\/a><\/strong>, one of the very finest recordings of the entire nine remains <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/trouble-karajan\">Herbert von Karajan<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s refined 1962 cycle with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/berlin-philharmonic\">Berlin Philharmonic<\/a><\/strong> on Deutsche Grammophon.<\/p> <p><strong>We named Berlin Philharmonic one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/worlds-best-orchestras\/\">the best orchestras in the world.<\/a><\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B019FB2LQU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beethoven 5th Symphony in C Minor Op.67- Herbert Von Karajan (1080 60fps)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7eOaIiHB58U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/beethoven-symphonies-best-recordings\">The best recording of each Beethoven symphony<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>2) Otherwise, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe offer freshness in their interpretations of Beethoven’s symphonies (Warner).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B000095IUM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 9\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/1DgZ1qWpGuiNzd0a5ge7wn?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/10-best-arrangements-beethoven-s-music\/\"><strong>10 of the best arrangements of Beethoven’s music<\/strong><\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/top-20-beethoven-works\/\"><strong>The top 20 Beethoven works<\/strong><\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <p>3) Carlos Kleiber, undoubtedly one of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/20-greatest-conductors-all-time\">greatest conductors of all time<\/a><\/strong>, and the venerable Vienna Philharmonic are untouchable in their recordings of two of Beethoven’s very best loved symphonies: the taut, dramatic <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/beethoven-fifth-symphony\">Fifth<\/a><\/strong> and the joyous, dance-inflected <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/guide-beethovens-symphony-no-7\">Seventh<\/a><\/strong>. (DG).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B000001GPX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Carlos Kleiber Beethoven Symphonies 7 (Complete) \/ Concergebouw Orchestra\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2Sw97NzvvsE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/five-best-lesser-known-beethoven-works-discover\/\">Five of the best lesser-known Beethoven works to discover<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Beethoven recordings: the concertos<\/h2> <p>4) For the best recordings of Beethoven’s piano <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-concerto-and-a-symphony\/\">concertos<\/a><\/strong>, plump for Murray Perahia and the Concertgebouw Orchestra under the great <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/bernard-haitink\">Bernard Haitink<\/a><\/strong> (Sony).<\/p> <p>We named the Royal Concergebouw Orchestra one of<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/worlds-best-orchestras\/\">the best orchestras in the world<\/a><\/strong> and the ‘Emperor’ Concerto one of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/greatest-piano-concertos-all-time\">greatest piano concertos of all time<\/a><\/strong>. So you’re onto a winner with this disc…<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Beethoven-Concertgebouw-Orchestra-Bernard-Haitink\/dp\/B001GUDWY4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: The Complete Piano Concertos\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/42zAuLejW02QwSr1BvBZ32?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>5) Another great recording of the five piano concertos comes courtesy of Alfred Brendel with the Vienna Philharmonic under <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/simon-rattle\">Simon Rattle<\/a> <\/strong>(Warner).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B00000IIX1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: The Piano Concertos\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/3xjbqYLxvXHuanI63XGwri?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/10-beethoven-references-popular-culture\"><strong>10 Beethoven references in popular culture<\/strong><\/a><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/simon-rattle-and-berlin-philharmonic\">Simon Rattle: the best recordings<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Violin Concerto<\/h3> <p>6) Onto Beethoven’s Violin Concerto (similarly, one of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-violin-concertos\">greatest violin concertos<\/a><\/strong> ever written), and we\u2019d take Isabelle Faust and the Orchestra Mozart under the late, great <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/claudio-abbado\">Claudio Abbado<\/a><\/strong> (Harmonia Mundi). This one, by the way, is coupled with a revelatory recording, from the same forces, of another great fiddle concerto – that of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/alban-berg\">Alban Berg<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B0062QFZ10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/495900549\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beethoven: Violin Concerto - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Isabelle Faust - Live HD\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_hXdjRYELGw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Berg & Beethoven: Violin Concertos\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/14560QvOeuVuSn6geqYlzH?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/10-composers-who-were-inspired-beethoven\/\">10 composers who were inspired by Beethoven<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>7) The great Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman joins the Philharmonia under Carlo Maria Giulini in an older but equally stellar recording of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto (Warner).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B0035YOFY0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/beethoven-violin-concerto\/693596780\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven & Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/3YKJH8RfFgHn0t5PxSIjNa?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/10-best-books-about-beethoven\/\"><strong>10 of the best books about Beethoven<\/strong><\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <p>8) For Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, who could resist the stellar Russian trio of violinist David Oistrakh, cellist <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/mstislav-rostropovich\">Mstislav Rostropovich<\/a><\/strong> and pianist Sviatoslav Richter, with the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan (Warner)?<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Beethoven-Triple-Concerto-Mstislav-Rostropovich\/dp\/B06X1CQXX9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/beethoven-triple-concerto\/693351070\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Triple Concerto, Op. 56\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/0XsXfjUKvAidyeHRZh30WP?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Beethoven recordings: the piano sonatas and other solo piano works<\/h2> <p>9) Artur Schnabel’s recording occupies the complete Beethoven <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/who-invented-the-piano\/\">piano<\/a><\/strong> sonatas top spot. (Harmonia Mundi).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B00442OD2G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/7Mu8IglvVbfjVo9rLwRQZe?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/five-best-recordings-beethovens-sonata-cycles\/\">Five of the best recordings of Beethoven’s sonata cycles<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/best-recordings-beethovens-hammerklavier-sonata\/\">The best recordings of Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>10) Alongside Artur Schnabel in the honour roll of great Beethoven sonata cycles is Stephen Kovacevich, whose own cycle is equally stunning (Warner).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B01A7U9RMY\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kovacevich: The Perils Of Playing Beethoven\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gbVNUCdqAvk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/five-best-recordings-beethovens-sonata-cycles\"><strong>Five of the best recordings of Beethoven’s piano sonata cycles<\/strong><\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other solo piano works<\/h3> <p>11) Andreas Staier is superb in his recordings of the Diabelli <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-are-variations\/\">Variations<\/a><\/strong> (Harmonia Mundi).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B006OW817C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/beethoven-diabelli-variations\/516521678\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Diabelli Variations\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/7ux6Dod9elK9HaDsZNW95k?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/10-great-beethoven-performers\/\">10 great Beethoven performers<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>12) When it comes to the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-bagatelle\/\">bagatelles<\/a><\/strong>, Alfred Brendel rules (Decca).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B0000041MM\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Bagatelles Opp. 33, 119 & 126; F\u00fcr Elise; Rondo in C; Allegretto in C Minor; Klavierst\u00fcck in B-Flat\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/3hH0HuHvg7QQsnnjBdLkNJ?si=r-kb_65DTPuEZLkctqUfVg&utm_source=oembed\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Beethoven recordings: chamber music<\/h2> <p>13) The legendary Quartetto Italiano, on Decca, give us beautiful, poised performances of Beethoven’s 16 wonderful string quartets.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B0000041LL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Complete String Quartets\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/1WZ0ThMIJTwHyRWkghIOnt?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>14) More recently, the Tak\u00e1cs Quartet gave us a thrillingly alive and visceral rendition of the quartets, also on Decca.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Beethoven-Complete-Quartets-Tak%C3%A1cs-Quartet\/dp\/B01N4MFPV0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/beethoven-complete-string-quartets\/1452657547\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tak\u00e1cs Quartet Concert\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/16E5SjO2K8M?start=63&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>15) In Beethoven’s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/instruments\/violin-guide\">violin<\/a><\/strong> sonatas, Alina Ibragimova and pianist C\u00e9dric Tiberghien reign (Hyperion).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B003GWDSWG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven Violin Sonatas 1: Alina Ibragimova & C\u00e9dric Tiberghien - Wigmore Hall Live\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/2v3Er1b40bLDmjNecNtSBO?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>16) Marvel at the husband-and-wife team of pianist <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/daniel-barenboim\">Daniel Barenboim<\/a><\/strong> and cellist <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/jacqueline-du-pre\">Jacqueline du Pr\u00e9<\/a><\/strong>, plus their close friend the violinist Pinchas Zuckerman, in the piano trios (Warner).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B019GS0FYM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Piano Trios Opp.1 & 97 &apos;Archduke&apos;\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/6daLKLKbhlbdjfHrTs2mDg?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>17) Go modern with Steven Isserlis and Robert Levin\u2019s brilliant recordings of Beethoven’s cello <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/discovering-music-sonata-form\/\">sonatas<\/a><\/strong> (Hyperion).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B00GJ6NQVE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ludwig van Beethoven\u2014Cello Sonatas\u2014Steven Isserlis (cello), Robert Levin (fortepiano)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VkvF83-_lfc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/five-essential-works-beethoven\"><strong>Five essential works by <\/strong><\/a><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/top-20-beethoven-works\">Beethoven<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>18) Trio Zimmermann have the best recordings of Beethoven’s string trios (BIS).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B006WLEIJA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/beethoven-string-trios-op-9\/482643988\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: String Trios, Op. 9\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/4nRsOh4tSe3Wbu4rvPM32C?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/beethoven-deaf\">Whydid Beethoven cope with going deaf?<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Beethoven recordings: sacred and opera<\/h2> <p>19) For Beethoven’s <em>Missa solemnis<\/em>, let\u2019s hear it for the Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Concentus Musicus Wien and Harnoncourt (Sony).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B01DWYOZEW\/ref=pd_lpo_15_t_0\/257-7471825-8763343\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/album\/beethoven-missa-solemnis-in-d-major-op-123\/1108583190\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stream on Apple Music<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Beethoven: Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/77MleVWoi45nMM4U6D9bGE?utm_source=oembed&go=1&play=1&nd=1&nd=1\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"\/> <p>20) Last but not least, Nina Stemme, Jonas Kaufmann, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra and Abbado offer a thrilling recording of Beethoven’s <strong><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/best-recordings-beethovens-fidelio\">Fidelio<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (Decca).<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B0058I6K1C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Buy from Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jonas Kaufmann - Beethoven - Fidelio - 'Gott! welch Dunkel hier!'\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QZYOCJKI1i8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/tag\/beethoven-reviews\/\"><strong>Read all our reviews of the latest Beethoven recordings<\/strong><\/a><\/p> <p\/> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Published: Tuesday, 05 November 2024 at 09:11 AM Ludwig van Beethoven\u2019s music has inspired generations with its emotional depth, structural innovation, and unparalleled power. His compositions – from the intense, dramatic and emotional symphonies and intricate string quartets to the profound piano sonatas and timeless concertos – remain central to classical music today. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":49126,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/11\/best-beethoven-recordings-of-all-time-20-great-moments-in-beethoven-recording-history.jpg",1200,800,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Published: Tuesday, 05 November 2024 at 09:11 AM Ludwig van Beethoven\u2019s music has inspired generations with its emotional depth, structural innovation, and unparalleled power. His compositions – from the intense, dramatic and emotional symphonies and intricate string quartets to the profound piano sonatas and timeless concertos – remain central to classical music today. But…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/49125"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}