Beethoven symphony 7 (finale) comparison | 5 conductors

[@1__fateta]

In case if anyone needs time stamp: 0:06 Dudamel 2:13 Furtwängler 4:03 Salonen 6:03 Bernstein 8:13 Karajan

[@thomasmurray3920]

Karajan-fury controlled, not too fast like some of the others. I am able to more fully appreciate the richness of this piece.

[@danduriscoe1280]

I have to go with Von Karajan, the balance of sound, passion, and communication is exquisite. Furtwangler is absolutely thrilling! But is that what Beethoven wanted, who cares? I am glad I heard it. Salonen is beautiful, has the most beauty, Dudamel is perfect in every regard, almost to a fault, Bernstein, I love how he goes "from here to there" in the climaxes, varying the dynamics and tempo, learned from Mahler, he makes the piece into different "phrases". Von Karajan's absolute mastery of the orchestral sound has never been matched, especially with "mostly strings" pieces, it shows here.

[@citzie]

Furtwangler’s furious, wild reading and impeccable playing at impossible speed by the band while bombs blasted Berlin had my whole body pulsating in rhythmic ecstasy

[@umbertolombardo4415]

Furtwängler is Beethoven.

[@torosdepamplona]

Maria Callas said that!

[@GermanGreetings]

I thought the same... it`s like Putin preaching `Archbishop Kyrill` about human rights... The candle... in putin`s hands? it`s like a `wand` in one of Himmler`s Ordens`burgers`... Thank you for your comment.

[@avioctavian]

He is too fast. He sacrifices nuanced phrasing in favor of the pyrotechnics of speed. Impressive but not satisfying

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

have you googled meaning of the term "impeccable"?

[@boriskind]

OMG, Furtwängler, what a sound, like wild power of the nature!! All recordings are very good, but he won..

[@aldeflorio5500]

Typical overwrought Furtwangler. Yuck.

[@1__fateta]

In my opinion: 1. Karajan 2. Furtwängler 3. Bernstein 4. Salonen 5. Dudamel

[@leoploner8929]

ok ok... and Carlos Kleiber... other universum....

[@rulcastguz030979]

I chose the same list, indeed

[@andrewlord5615]

Furtwangler going hell for leather is not what I expected to hear. But what a performance!

[@reidwhitton6248]

All good but Furtwangler is the most exciting! It's like a whirlwind sweeping you away at 200 MPH.

[@johnlaurencepoole6408]

I heard von Karajan perform this and the 6th with the Berlin Philharmonic in Pasadena, CA, at the Ambassador Auditorium. I knew right then I would never hear a greater performeance of either symphony again. There was an army of basses in the performance I attedend and the recording here did not capture the vibration I felt then and have really never felt since. It was absolutely magical and made the L.A Philharmonic thereafter feel second rate.

[@iczerman]

Really?! I was at the Brahms 1 and 3 program. And I concur..the Double basses were the most expressive section during that concert series.

[@ilbuonable]

Good selection, but there is at least one missing...Where is Carlos Kleiber?

[@horaciomendez7133]

Kleiber esta fuera de escala, fue el mejor para mi gusto.

[@michelvb7130]

If Carlos Kleiber was in the race, it would be unfair. No one else had a chance ;)

[@michaelhanrahanmoore1622]

It's very close between karajan and furtwangler. I usually go for karajan recordings and I do think he's the best of the century but here I just start imagining things when listening to furtwangler . My imagination goes wild. I seem to see a great flood lead by the god of the sea and the entire marine animal kingdom following at great and powerful speed. And that's the difference.

[@polocathmhaoil9141]

I have been 'hooked' on this symphony since I was 10 years old, and am now 65. I have travelled the globe to attend live performances. Of the conductors featured here, to me the Bernstein was exactly how I expected the performance to be.

[@manuelserrano6068]

Another tough competition. In this case, for me ,there is a clear winner, Karajan, and two runners-up, Bernstein and Pekka-Salonen. Good selection Nuclear Cats!

[@rulcastguz030979]

I thought the same!!

[@jess.sou9]

Bernstein is my favorite conductor ever, I love his passion and how he challenged the boring academicism. However, in this video I have to pay respect and exalt the amazing conduct of Wilhelm Furtwängler. OMG, I have no words, I'm too ignorant, but I felt my own deepness when I heard that. Forgive me, leonard, you will always be my love.

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

you don't have to be ignorant, Furtwangler was also ignorant to many of Beethovens markings and ideas judging by this audio lol

[@arker007]

The best one is missing. Carlos Kleiber conducting the RCO.

[@ASclassical]

I know, I’ve uploaded it as a video…

[@johnhoran25]

Going back before Furtwangler, don’t forget Arturo Toscanini’s awesome performance from 1936 with the NY Philharmonic

[@petergolding5733]

Karajan by far. Followed by Furtwangler. If anyone can locate the incredible radio broadcast with Karajan in 1970, or the complete Tokyo set from the same year, they are far superior to all of these, with a white-hot finale that has you on the edge of your seat. The spontaneous shouts at the end are fully justified (I do have a copy of them if anyone wants them)

[@DarthViva]

I think it was not fair that Wilhelm Furtwängler was not seen conducting but nevertheless, his version beats the rest. And this is coming from a die hard fan of Herbert Von Karajan

[@ASclassical]

I agree, the thing is that I couldn’t find a video of him conducting this. Anyways, thanks for the comment

[@aufbrechen]

Yes Kararajan and Furtwängler. But You should also see: they had the best Orchestra of the world! - Also interesting would be Bloomstedt with his late recording, and Rattle and Jansons.

[@juanbatista5302]

Yep, the Berliner driven by their titular directors 😁

[@axel2107]

Karajan! - and far away nothing after

[@Lamadesbois]

Thank you for editing and uplaoding this, inspiring !

[@sarahostrinsky4595]

I agree that Karajan was best. The tempo and intensity gave me goosebumps. While I liked the intensity of Furtwangler it was too rushed. In third place, Bernstein. Dudamel and Salonen each lent a sweetness to the piece, which is fine if you feel this piece should sound sweet. I don’t believe that was Beethoven’s intent.

[@yye91709]

You missed Carlos Kleiber, who beats them all in this particular work.

[@umbertolombardo4415]

Bellissima la comparazione. In ogni caso, quando si parla di Beethoven, Furtwängler è l' apice, il massimo, l' incomparabile, soprattutto per il finale della VII sinfonia.

[@MrFranbu67]

where is the best of them all, Carlos Kleiber...?

[@emigdioluisgarciaaguilar2738]

Karajan monumental, transmite energía a la música, la orquesta capta esa energía .

[@JoelLeBras]

That music is crazy for its time... A good performance has to be crazy too.... Only Furt is.

[@selcano0575]

Furtwängler is of course the most impressive. But I wonder what was really the tempo thought by Beethoven. Since the recording is old and there is a problem with the sound recording, if I had to take a version to a desert island, I would take Karajan.

[@Orlandomendez-k9m]

Karajan, great control, I hear Beethoven indeed; Bernstein passion, both of them my favorites I have a version of op 92 by Guido Cantelli; I think is the greatest performance ever heard. Anyhow, all of them are amazing. I enjoyed the video

[@MD-md4th]

Karajan, Furtwängler, Dudamel, Bernstein, Salonen. Karajan’s is the epitome of power and control. Furtwängler’s is Dionysian fire. On the edge, but never too much so. Still, a bit raw in places. I would love to hear Furtwängler with modern sound quality. I am not a Dudamel fan, but this is excellent! Lots of energy, and with an orchestra that is not quite up to the others. Bernstein tries a little too hard to be different. It gets in the way. Just play the notes, Lenny, it’s not all about you. Salonen is fine, but comparatively dull and lacking energy.

[@theimperiale6231]

KARAJAN

[@operalover2512]

Listen to Carlos Kleiber and The Royal Concergebouw Orchest

[@djkim4681]

Bernstein's performance is the best! What a perfect trumpet articulation throughout the entire fourth movement!

[@ЕвгенийПлаксин-х7д]

My list- Kleiber, Mravinsky, Bohm, Petrenko, Klemperer!!! The Best!!!

[@therascals8237]

I like the Dudamel because you more easily hear all the different parts more clearly even if the overall energy isnt as intense as the Karajan.

[@avioctavian]

I like Dudamel’s phrasing and emotional style’ but is not as passionate and convincing as Karajan.

[@saarlooswolfhund6237]

Dudamel does not understand anything about the German Classical music. Its without sense, just show.

[@marujaaparicio1009]

I like Von Karajan very much

[@jalilan5132]

1.Herr Von Karajan 2.Herr Von Karajan 3.Herr Von Karajan Then the others with all respect😅

[@bjaco290]

Furtwangler is my Supreme conductor, nothing comes close, it stretches every aspect of my imagination. I enjoy Dudamel, karajan, but the sound of Furtwangler is unique.

[@ASclassical]

I agree, it’s a unique interpretation!

[@umbertolombardo4415]

👍

[@bjaco290]

@@umbertolombardo4415 molto grazie. Mi piace molto Furtwangler

[@umbertolombardo4415]

@@bjaco290 Unsurpassed. Beethoven reaches his peak with him. Egli è il mio preferito direttore.

[@matthewweflen]

I would rank them Karajan > Bernstein > Salonen > Dudamel. But they're all very good and no one runs away with it. Karajan/BPO's account is intense and precise. Bernstein/VPO is intense but a bit rough around the edges. Salonen/ODP has the best sound quality and allows me to hear certain parts more clearly (like that piccolo!). Dudamel/SBO is really nicely balanced but a wee bit sedate. The sound quality on Furty is borderline unlistenable, which makes it hard to weigh him against the others. I will say, normally I'm a slut for tympani, but I think it's a bit too exaggerated in this recording.

[@juanrur9143]

Furtwangler, Despite the quality of such an old recording. However, the best is not in this ranking. Carlos Kleber

[@andyleighton6969]

Furtwängler sounded like he was "on a promise" and couldn't wait to get out of there!

[@ASclassical]

As many of you have requested: Here is Carlos Kleiber's rendition of the finale of Beethoven's 7th symphony :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJClhIilp8hghrs

[@ルスパピ-e7y]

Where is Carlos Kleiber ?

[@barney6888]

vK's 7th is what pulled me out of rock music and into classical. Back in the early 70s, his "60s" set, which is phenomenal. Everything Karajan did was phenomenal.

[@James-ll3jb]

von Karajan: the metaphysical mystery of becoming chaos!

[@Brooder85]

Karajan is the best.

[@dlhuo9366]

Agree 100%!!

[@cortootify]

Sorry l think Karajan is the worst, not impressed

[@henryv69]

Si

[@sandev88]

I can give you half a dozen reasons why Furtwangles reading is far superior to Von Karajan almost always

[@Brooder85]

@@sandev88 haters gonna hate! 😆

[@user-hc7yn5he8d]

The most stylish and handsome conductor, Herbert von Karajan!

[@ErickSR1]

Karajan Win's!

[@Angharad329]

For me Maestro Herbert von Karajan is the best, at least for Beethoven's 7th Simphony

[@peterb1022]

This compilation can neither be considered as serious not complete without the mention of Carlos Kleiber’s interpretation

[@arneskorup1540]

1. Karajan 2. Furtwängler 3. Dudamel & Salonen 5. Bernstein

[@Gralsritter]

While agreeing with Furtwangler and Karajan and even Bernstein, no survey of the 7th symphony can be taken seriously without Carlos Kleiber!

[@AndreyRubtsovRU]

Beethoven: I am sorry I haven't composed Timpani concerto. Furtwangler: Hold my beer.

[@pablosanchezgutierrez7482]

Furtwängler's reading and conducting has always been impressive. There are no words to describe it. The tempo is always something else with him. Then, there is Bernstain, I do not know what happens, he just capture you. Salonen has the energy and the touch of a youngster. Very vivid and comforting. Karajan is Karajan. Nothing different there.

[@jamescrawford9883]

I never liked Karajan much but in this he is marvellous!

[@ecyranot]

I was gratified to read the comments after listening because so many observed what I had observed, that Furtwanger's was the most exhilarating and Karajan the most monumental, which I think comes from the clarity of the voices. But I have to say, this judging feels a bit like judging the best football quarterback based on the team's record. The orchestras are playing the music, and I can't just say x or y conductor is best when the team of players differ one conductor to another, and those players have such an enormous role in the enterprise.

[@maggiedeveney]

Fantastic!

[@perlman7376]

This video does not request anyone to rate the conductor's performance. However, since everyone else weighed in, Karajan is the best here and not by a little. Bernstein is one of my favorite conductors but this 7th is too idiosyncratic. Furtwangler is so exciting but the music is squeezed together in panic mode. Nothing wrong with Dudamel but so many other conductors easily surpass him on this piece like Kleiber & Reiner just to name 2. And so Salonen and Dudamel must have been chosen for this video just for comparison sake and not because their performances were in the top 5 of all time.

[@davideincerti6418]

Bernstein n. 1

[@judithf9297]

I agree Karajan is the best here. Although Bernstein is my favorite in general (especially Brahms) but here Karajan had the best phrasing even in this tempo and the instruments you could here them very well separately in their own section. Bernstein #2, very close to Karajan, then Salonen #3, Dudamel #4 and Furtwangler #5. I am very surprised of Furtwangler’s tempo, I think that recording was speeded up because he generally does things slower and that tempo was really over the top,kind of humanly impossible,in my opinion. That’s why I rated him last.

[@nicola1997_]

1. Karajan; 2. Furtwängler; 3. Bernstein; 4. Salonen; 5. Dudamel.

[@albghilardi]

Kleiber!

[@sandragoodman2059]

I'm surprised that I like Dudamel better than these other conductors whom I love. He brought out the structure of the piece best; it was less bombastic and less focussed on speed. Now I'm excited he's coming to NYC.

[@nicolacalabrese5773]

Furtwangler the best ma i Berliner di Karajan sono insuperabili

[@spodvoll]

My go-to for the 7th is C. Kleiber. Walter is good, too. The Furtwangler "interpretation" here is a hot mess. I will never understand why so many people love his work.

[@gretareinarsson7461]

Interesting comparison between three generations of conductors. Furtwängler is awesome and wild but I prefer Karajan out of the five.

[@VeikkoHiiri]

Many writers here do not analyse why they select conductors and performance. That sounds to my ears that you just glorify names but do not understand about this music and playing.😢

[@ASclassical]

It’s not my problem that people don’t analyse!! 😩

[@pupulique]

Those who don’t acknowledge Furtwangler’s unrivaled power here (and actually almost everywhere else in German music) have nothing to do with the symphony music and the spirit of Beethoven. Even great Karajan sounds dead here after Furtwangler.

[@r2a9l6l8s]

Listen to the violins. Even the best string sections can be lured into a physical empathy with the conductor. In faster pieces, Dudamel, Salonen & Bernstein's left arm tend(ed) to be a bit more 'stiff' as compared to Karajan. The Karajan recording, IMHO, displays a more luminescent tone in the strings because of broader, longer gestures with his left hand. As so many have rightfully pointed out, 95% of the greatness of the performance was arrived at in the rehearsal hall. But if the conductor gives off a frenetic, cramped body language in performance, it's hard for the players (once again, particularly the strings) to fight against that and find the 'longer breath' needed to make the instruments really sing.

[@saltburner2]

Furtwängler for excitement Karajan for precision Dudamel for bonhomie

[@marcelw6827]

Oh my god! Karajan

[@PS-su2si]

Karajan

[@miker9607]

Ok, so, the Karajan recordings aren't really fair because he was known to use double winds and extra strings to make the sound (artificially) more powerful. I'm sure the live performance of the Furtwängler was exhilarating but the sound quality is difficult to assess given the age of the recording. The Dudamel and Salonen are obviously the most recent and the most authentic in terms of sound engineering technology (and the orchestra complement is accurate to the score, which is why I'd put them above Karajan.) Bernstein is a legend, but I struggle with his conducting style in general. I'd say overall, they are all good performances and Beethoven was the master here!

[@leocastellucci5615]

1. Bernstein 2. Karajan 3. Salonen

[@marcosPRATA918]

Gostei da dinâmica em Dudamel.

[@gheorghefalcaru]

Karajan the Almighty!

[@chwb99]

I like Dudamel‘s approach a lot because he shows us that this symphony does not need to be played powerful or even bombastic but that it can be played in a wonderful flow with an orchestra that shifts from voice to voice instead of pushing forte altogether. This fresh approach to this symphony much appreciated. Btw, it would have been great to have Carlos Kleiber & Wiener Philharmoniker in this comparison.

[@robertomunizmoran840]

mi opinion,, sin hacer de menos a ninguno de ellos ya que son increiblemente buenos, es : karajan, peka salonen, furwangler, bernstein y dudamel

[@kingvii7250]

For me it has to be Von Karajan and Esa-Pekka Salonen as the runner up.

[@bluetortilla]

Well, I'm a fawner of Bernstein, but I'd say Dudamel wins this round. Furtwängler is surprisingly good here too- feisty.

[@paulsec8852]

Esa Pekka-Salonen's interpretation sends shivers through my body. It's just fantastic. To me, Dudamel comes second with a dynamic, sensitive, elegant version of the finale.

[@bangkokmaco]

Furtwängler loves them trumpets. on the other hand, among the chaos, he let the basses out of the closet - appreciate that.

[@sadaomuraki3143]

Ozawa BPO 1982

[@bluetortilla]

That is some fine hed banging Beethoven!

[@DynastieArtistique]

Why are you even putting dudamel near these great names

[@marujaaparicio1009]

I love Von Karajan

[@michaelhanrahanmoore1622]

For me karajan was consistently great and in my opinion he did a better job with almost every single work.

[@sandev88]

What about Fritz Reiner, George Szell, Bruno Walter , Solti, Fricsay ?

[@pabloreece6808]

Good point, Szell?

[@davidblau1477]

Must have been winter and the hall very cold with Furtwängler

[@richardmuncey9860]

The orchestras were all marvellous as was LVB.Apart from Furtwangler being faster did the conductors make any difference? Why are they paid so much? Sometimes 100 times more than a player!

[@marietiti]

Bernstein in the crescendo and the fortissimo

[@zogzog1063]

After hearing Herb von K and Furt the others are relatively legato - just not right

[@cerberocaronte7439]

Primo Karajan,secondo Bernstein,terzo Dudamel,quarto Furtwangler,quinto Salonen.

[@reginasartori7975]

Para essa sinfonia Karajan sem dúvida

[@FaMi-ze8fn]

Karajan, e soprattutto Furtwängler, è come se stessero domando una belva selvaggia; gli altri tre, a paragone, è come se quella belva ormai domata, e sazia, si sforzassero di farla uscir fuori dalla gabbia...

[@Macart25]

Karajan has the best tempo and sound. Furtwängler is toooo fast! Salonen is very good also.

[@kenroberts177]

Hard to judge Furtwangle due to poor recording quality. Top 2 for me is Dudamel conducting and bringing parts of the whole then puts it all together by the end. Van Karajan builds orchestral momentum like a freight train going 80 mph..

[@christiandaniel9708]

Well, Furtwängler, Bernstein and Karajan played in another league than Dudamel and Salonen you can hear that here. But Furtwängler tops everything, he did not make music, he was music!

[@danieledabovich1520]

Well, n°1Berliner, n°2 Wiener

[@iczerman]

The Von Karajan is 1971.