Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 (Kleiber)

Ludwig Van Beethoven, Simphonie Nr. 7
Wiener Philharmoniker, Carlos Kleiber, 1976

[@Drumminman4U]

I was walking around the top deck of a cruise ship after midnight many years ago. Not a soul up there and you could see the Milky Way among the stars. The ocean was very calm that night and I had a Sony Walkman with me and some cassettes in a little bag. Stayed up there for hours. I listened to this recording and the 9th (Karajan, 1963 version). The experience was singular, unique and altogether moving...to the point of tears. Two days later, I listened to the 6th (Walter's version) while walking through a thick rain forest. I could not stop crying. Been a Beethoven fanatic ever since. Only Schubert can shake me to the core like Beethoven's music.I swear that whole week was other worldly. I wasn't expecting such a strong reaction. That's the power of classical music.

[@irreview]

Thanks for sharing your religious experience.

[@Zweihander21]

Beautiful story, thanks for sharing!

[@ChopinIsMyBestFriend]

Beethoven’s Symphonies. and Bach’s Violin Chaconne in D Minor played by George Enescu. Shakes me to the core.

[@treeskates]

@@irreview Well yes, that’s exactly what it’s like. The only time I ever had a “religious” experience (I prefer to call it something else) is when I listened to a Beethoven symphony when I was quite young. It’s been my only “religion” ever since.

[@loge10]

And that's the power of this performance. It is special.

[@makingmusicmusicando685]

Beethoven makes me not only happy but a better human being as well. God bless him endlessly. Thanks to Mr. Kleiber, the Wiener Philharmoniker for the subtle performance: you can ear everything on a clear and delicate atmosphere full of energy with exact passion. It is inspiring from a holistic perspective, from the very beginning to the end, just like it was come up with in the Beethoven brain, heart and soul, beside his dirty hearing aid. I am glad we can enjoy such finest musicians the former one making music and the others performing it now. Germany can be proud of all of it. Me too, because I am a human being that have earn the musical citizenship. Thanks to KZbin for permitting us enjoying it making real democracy of good things for everyone as well. Thanks a lot to Vanja Stanishic for sharing music without borders.

[@davidrehak3539]

Ludwig van Beethoven:7.A-dúr Szimfónia Op.92 1.Poco sostenuto - Vivace 00:00 2.Allegretto 13:37 3.Presto - Assai meno presto 21:46 4.Allegro con brio 30:00 Bécsi Filharmonikus Zenekar Vezényel:Carlos Kleiber

[@user-so5pf2hc6c]

This record is a great performance in history. I bought this record in the 1980s. I have listened to a lot of Beethoven's symphony No.7 performances, but there are no other performances impressed by this sense of rhythm.

[@davidliefrink9818]

I have heard many versions of this masterpiece but this one is still the best in my opinion

[@persistancep2456]

I practically began to listen to the classical music with Beethoven's 7th. I still got that CD recorded by Naxos. This Klelber's interpretation is one of brilliant performances. I really miss him.

[@konstantinoskaramanis3342]

Today I listened to Beethoven again for the first time after many years. It seems that all these years my life was just a dream and in these 38 minutes I returned to the real world, the universe that bore me.

[@m.h.8111]

9:00 begins another great performance.This part is very good.A Great Conductor !

[@silveriosierra1258]

How he extracts all the power and all the subtilnes is something hard to describe... Beethoven is a gift from a higher order and Carlos Kleiber honors it in its full greatness...

[@getagoodnightsleep]

I'm telling you, Kleiber owns Beethoven's 4, 5, 7th symphony.

[@Cherubini47]

And the sixth as well!

[@richardallen3810]

Kleiber is a god among great cond. in history. It is like hearing this music for the first time, dusted off and shining in the sunlight. His innate sense of building and weaving a musical journey is unparalleled.

[@denisturner1040]

I have never heard a more beautiful and exhilarating performance of Beethoven' 7th.than this. I have known this work for over 60 years and I never thought it could ever again excite me as this recording has.

[@jakobpetropoulos8850]

Szell's with CO.

[@Ian24s]

Possibly his live performance with The Bavarian State Orchestra. Szell with CO is there as well.

[@franklinhill4341]

I would not want to do without any of Kleiber's incomparable recordings of this transcendental masterpiece, either with this, or with the Concertgebouw or with the Bayerisches Staatsorchester, or with his final concert with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1999. But if I were condemned to that proverbial desert island with only a single recording, this would be it.

[@vilhelmhammershoi4631]

I am hearing things for the first time in this recording and I have heard this symphony so many times. The great Kleiber again going to the very core of a masterpiece!

[@saifulrimkeit296]

Never heard it like this before. Thank you Carlos Kleiber, wherever you are.

[@elzbietabonthrone6584]

I LOVE YOU. Let me take you with me to our Universe. Mr The Best Carlos Kleiber...The Best of Beethoven, The Seventh... forever with you

[@jcalli66]

I love the story that the very-first time this symphony was performed publicly was for a charity event in 1813 for Austrian soldiers wounded fighting Napoleon and that it was an immediate hit -and that the soldiers and audience called for an encore of the Allegretto (13:37), instantly loving it the very first time they heard it. Which was the same reaction I suspect tens of millions of listeners if not more, in the 200 + years have had since then, the first time they heard it.

[@vanjastanishic3426]

Thanks a lot for this comment.

[@marieannecelticwoman3466]

My fav memories of listening to Beethoven are at Tanglewood. Even when sitting alone in my car in a parking lot I recall the grass, the blanket. The Shed and trees.

[@chenjeanny888]

So good. Exhilarating!

[@zuzanaSimurdova]

13:37 ...one of the most beautiful movement ever written. Kleiber’s sense of orchestra tone colours is touching.

[@wallyssalas]

This DG recording is perfect all around: The perfect 5th Symphony, the perfect 7th, the perfect orchestration, the perfect, detailed and energetic conducting, and the incredible technical achievement of a legendary, perfect recording. It's a lucky, classic musical triumph. Way to go, Carlos! ....(too bad you left us in 2004; what a loss!)

[@joekbaron1205]

The recordings aren’t perfect, no recording is perfect, for example I much prefer szell in the 2nd movement of the 7th and Karajan 63 in the first movement of the 5th

[@wallyssalas]

@@joekbaron1205 Of course there is no absolute perfection in anything, least of all in musical performance. We are humans, Joe. My complementary words were only the verbal equivalent of the sustained ovation these famous recordings have deservingly received since they were made public. Lighten up. Join the rest of us down here!

[@ettorealbertogelli8893]

Symphonien 5. Symphonien 7. Thanks you planet of Earth!!!!!!! JSB Danke Gott.......

[@arnoldmilchbauer2587]

That's the best recording of Beethoven's 7th that I know. Thanks for uploading it.

[@jirihrudka5606]

Výborné provedení, opravdu silný zážitek.Sedmá mi připadá nejlepší ale to je jen můj dojem. Odborníci jistě mají své výhrady. L.v.B. do ní dál jistě to nejlepší, co v té chvíli cítil.

[@lemondaisy621]

perfect interpretation!

[@alfredoechevarrieta7512]

Belleza y Perfección. Yo le agrego mis aplausos. Mil gracias Vanja Stanishi y le deseo un excelente 2020.

[@vanjastanishic3426]

Muchas gracias. Todo lo mejor en 2020.

[@ilirllukaci5345]

Thanks.

[@ViceroyoftheDiptera]

Simply the best.

[@waggishsagacity7947]

I incorporate with admiration the comments below, but want to add one more by conductor Susanna Mälkki, Music director,of the Ensemble Intercontemporain, a frequent guest at the L.A. Phil., and one of the 100 conductors polled in 2010. She said: "Carlos Kleiber brought an incredible energy to music... Yes, he did have about five times as much time to rehearse than conductors do today, but he deserved it because his vision was remarkable, he knew what he wanted, and his attention to detail was truly inspiring." Fun fact: Carlos Kleiber played two musical instruments: piano & timpani. Can you see why drums are so central to his interpretations, especially of Beethoven & Brahms?

[@detectivehome3318]

Wow!! Interesting fact!!

[@tonirose6776]

Beethoven is so rhythmic anyway. Put two percussive instruments under the belt of a conductor and you have triple (double?) the quality of that element.

[@waggishsagacity7947]

@@tonirose6776 I cannot argue with what you wrote, but I feel compelled to add that, all of us have heard Beethoven (and especially the 7th Symphony) played well, but Carlos Kleiber caused me and, I'm sure many, to say Wow! This was breathtaking. Yes it was.

[@jcalli66]

For me the definitive versions of the 5th and 7th symphonies are this DG recording. Never tire of listening to them. IMHO, it stinks that Kleiber never saw fit to record a version of the Eroica symphony (my favorite) or the 9th.

[@jasonhurd4379]

There used to be a LaserDisc on Philips video of Kleiber conducting the Eroica with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. I'm not sure if it was ever transferred to DVD or Blu-Ray.

[@telephilia]

When it comes to the core German-Austrian symphonic repertoire, no one was ever better than Carlos Kleiber. His Der Rosenkavalier here on KZbin is wonderful too. And perhaps only Bernstein arguably matches Kleiber as a conductor who is fun to watch.

[@WMarcilVA]

On that last point, may I ask your opinion of Dudamel?

[@juanuceda401]

I would say that Bernstein is a fun to watch (indeed, it's a negative remark). Kleiber, on the other hand, was a miracle on the podium.

[@saifulrimkeit296]

Thank you ever so much Vanja Stanishic for posting this work.

[@vanjastanishic3426]

Thank you very much, I am very glad that you also enjoyed this version

[@grizzlyganymede]

Like father, like son. I have the 1955 record of Beethoven's Fifth played by the Concertgebouw Orch of Amsterdam conducted by Erich Kleiber. For many years this was critically accepted as the definitive version of the Fifth. Despite it being in steam mono the full rich sound is there and still nothing matches it. I believe this Seventh is also the pick of the bunch. So perhaps Erich lives on "in scion".

[@nerolux2445]

Immenso!!!

[@bobgraf7510]

Kleiber's interpretation cannot be surpassed.

[@bumgardenerteetonball7686]

I thought so too till I heard Zinman and Tonhalle Zurich.

[@0kcu]

Yes, one of the best but you shouldn't overlook Furtwängler's, especially the one at 1943.

[@MikeCarvin]

tennstedt : hold my beer !

[@ettorealbertogelli8893]

@@bumgardenerteetonball7686 surpassed? Is a race? Anyway i'm agree. Kleiber Is a miracle

[@Felipe.Taboada.]

Furtwängler/BP, 1943; Fricsay/BP, 1960.

[@Rokudammela]

Thanks!!

[@vanjastanishic3426]

+Rokudammela your welcome.

[@classicalchemist]

The allegro con brio from 30:00 onwards always reminds me of a maelstrom - all that pulling and pushing and tension

[@eporze]

Para mi,la interpretacio'n que ma's me llega.Entra en los abismos de mi Alma!.-

[@55masatoshi]

やはり５番とこの曲はこの人が最高。

[@anchen2473]

bravooooooo

[@jaenah5113]

This is a monumental recording of 7th, I think I will have hard time to listen 7th surpassing Carlos's 7th in future. This is not only perfect but also have dignity of the music of Bethoven 7th.

[@saifulrimkeit296]

We all agree. Just finished listening to his 1974 5th symphony performance. Beethoven - Symphony No. 5, Carlos Kleiber (1974) The voices of each instrument were clear as I have not heard before. They did it again here. This performance activates my adrenals.

[@jaenah5113]

I agree this 7th has great dignity. Phrase 1-2-3-4---- has all charaters and musical bounces on the perfect diginity.

[@zircon345]

45 years on and it's still the best

[@eporze]

Esta N 7,me llega mas que las otras,y esta interpretacio'n,gigantesca y ciclopea!!!!!!!!.-

[@celesteaida48]

I have this recording! Always goosebumps! Spectacular

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und spannende Interpretation dieser perfekt komponierten Sinfonie mit gut artikulierten und perfekt synchronisierten Tönen aller Instrumente. Der zweite Satz klingt echt traurig und besonders schön. Der unvergleichliche Maestro dirigiert das weltklassige Orchester im relativ schnellen Tempo und mit völlig effektiver Dynamik. Atemberaubend vom Anfang bis zum Ende!

[@jaysoper3974]

today is the 250th anniversary of the most significant of births - stop wretched world & rejoice!

[@felixlehwalder2758]

He was - is unique... i Love this Soul of man

[@felixlehwalder2758]

One of the eternals

[@felixlehwalder2758]

It's all in there ....everything🤫

[@geraldnorman9437]

Love u always. Hattie, warm second mvt.

[@thethikboy]

Cosmic a direct channel to the Master Ludwig van Beethoven

[@sandravater2703]

Standing Ovation - ein Leben lang

[@hchan216]

My eyes are all wet after the Allegretto… don’t know why….

[@fernandofernandezgar]

"La Sinfonía 7ma. de Beethoven es la apoteosis de la danza" Richard Wagner.

[@ettorealbertogelli8893]

It's true

[@ayseshn7789]

👏

[@user-vc1jk8zg6b]

13:30 7-2 starts!

[@sheldonbazinga3985]

Version magnifique et dantesque!

[@markilsemann950]

Unsurpassed and unsurpassable.

[@alexparodi4439]

OMG

[@gregorkoydl2201]

ONLY KLEIBER

[@user-ry3tw9sz6y]

greatest in history

[@nightydand5885]

15:47 is a staggering moment, 15:34 is the beginning

[@erichaberman3812]

I was floored, stunned. So much for doing work while listening to this...

[@violettavalery857]

Non sopporto le esecuzioni interrotte dagli annunci. Rappresentano a mio avviso un insulto all'esecuzione e all'ascolto del brano. V.V. -:(

[@ettorealbertogelli8893]

Il 2° movimento n.7... Chi ci porta il 2° movimento? Chi e' l'Angelo che ci conduce? Egli ci fa strada al nostro precipitare al nostro NECESSARIO gettarsi giu'

[@stefanufer608]

Coda of the finale sounds much better with violins divided left and right, as Kleiber does here.

[@jasonhurd4379]

The orchestra setup was always with violins divided left and right, right up until Stokowski massed them together at left and center in the early XXth century. It is a crime not to divide the violins. It spoils the antiphonal effects so many composers used, with the 'call and response' between first and second violins.

[@stefanufer608]

I agree completely - although it seems to have become more of the practice in recent years to revert back to violins divided left and right. @@jasonhurd4379

[@1973wildcatman]

The Allegretto is>>sorry no words!

[@aalb1970]

Kleiber's is the best version IMO.

[@theogoldberg8919]

Very very superior rendition by far!

[@olgafams]

13.38

[@judetubeshoahedcasajb8777]

Ahab sent me.

[@luisrosmaninho1948]

For him to conduct was a religious act.

[@geraldnorman9437]

O M G This Is my

[@geraldnorman9437]

Momy, I hope you're enjoying this. Amanda

[@geraldnorman9437]

O M G This is my childhood favorite.

[@olgafams]

23.39

[@henrykszeryng5900]

21:45

[@retf054ewte3]

you could say this is better than Karajan's 7

[@luke9947]

Yes absolutely

[@TheChurry98]

It seems he fired trumpet player.

[@tonirose6776]

Can you explain?

[@angelosclassics05]

@@tonirose6776 I think TheChurry98 means that you can't hear the trumpet enough in this interpretation and I have to agree. Although this is a very good and treasured recording but I think Karajan's version is better in my opinion.

[@vladimirorivas7020]

Those stupid ads!

[@gregoryreynolds5311]

Magnificent, but never forget Furtwangler and the pathos of performing during the horror of the Third Reich.

[@GoldinDr]

This performance is incomparably cleaner than any recording of Furtwangler that I've ever heard. That's simply a fact. Musically, I leave it to others to judge, since it's more in the area of opinion, but I personally don't put Furtwangler in the same class as Kleiber in that respect either.

[@arnoldmilchbauer2587]

Well Furtwangler was d'accord with the horrors of the 3rd Reich and those who were responsible. If you want a nazified Beethoven, listen to Furtwangler. Karajan will do as well.

[@bobgraf7510]

Carlos Kleiber's father, Eric, escaped from fascism before it got really ugly. The verdict on Furtwangler was mixed. He never joined the party and was lukewarm to the enterprise. But he did stick around when he had chances to flee.

[@MaestroTJS]

Arnold Milchbauer What a ridiculous opinion, spoken by someone who clearly loves to blanket people together and condemn their entire artistic output based on vague associations.

[@MaestroTJS]

It's so easy for you, sitting in your chair of Western freedom today, to look back on the decisions of these people living in tyrannical regimes and pronounce that they were wrong. Even the most basic search on Strauss will give you some idea as to what he thought of the Nazis and what his motivations might have been. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Strauss#Strauss_in_Nazi_Germany Among the highlights: "Strauss's need to protect his Jewish daughter-in-law and Jewish grandchildren also motivated his behavior,[13] in addition to his determination to preserve and conduct the music of banned composers such as Mahler and Debussy." Strauss's opinion on Goebbels: "I consider the Streicher-Goebbels Jew-baiting as a disgrace to German honour, as evidence of incompetence-the basest weapon of untalented, lazy mediocrity against a higher intelligence and greater talent." "Strauss attempted to ignore Nazi bans on performances of works by Debussy, Mahler, and Mendelssohn. He also continued to work on a comic opera, Die schweigsame Frau, with his Jewish friend and librettist Stefan Zweig. When the opera was premiered in Dresden in 1935, Strauss insisted that Zweig's name appear on the theatrical billing, much to the ire of the Nazi regime." Do you also believe the statements Soviet composers made when they were rounded up and publicly spanked, or do you think maybe it's possible they said those things to save their own lives and those of their families? As for Furtwangler, there is a tonne of reading here, and, surprise, surprise, you are wrong again: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Furtw%C3%A4ngler#Third_Reich_controversy . But in all honesty, I really couldn't give two shits about the political beliefs of any musician. It mainly matters to virtue signalers like yourself who like to think they're morally superior. The only thing that matters is how they perform. I think you need to look in the mirror. You and the Nazis have a lot in common.

[@guyaume2991]

too fast

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

you are too slow

[@gregorkoydl2201]

but Klecki is sometimes better

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

Of course this is "perfect" .... but. But my little brain is looking just for three milligrams more than this .... the silent public, with coughs of course, but its constant excitement, these hundred of spirits who receive something, live ....

[@janetwindsor9244]

I love this. Also, Michael Kamen with the Seattle Symphony does a brilliant take with a slow deep depth that is inventive and on it.