The Greatest Recordings EVER! Beethoven: Symphony No. 4

[@davidaltschuler9687]

The movement from LvB's symphonies that I delight in most is the 1st movement of the 4th. The mysterious intro leading into a shocker of a boisterous humor and unexpected twists and turns never fails to delight and excite. (Never heard the Bohm, alas.)

[@JEduardoDElboux]

Bohm's version is really sensitive and beautiful. In my case, as I usually prefer quicker tempos, I like so much Carlos Kleiber's interpretation with the Bayerisches Staatsorchester.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I wonder why. Kleiber is so mediocre. Lots of people like it, but there's nothing special about it at all.

[@bbailey7818]

I'm convinced Mahler had the LVB 4th in mind, especially the 1st mvt, when he was writing his own 1st Symphony. My favorite commercial recording is Monteux with the London Symphony, but the most powerful, tensile version I know is Toscanini's 1939 NBC Beethoven cycle performance. Toscanini never played Beethoven's even numbered symphonies as if they were lesser stepchildren.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I know I'm in the minority, but this is my absolute favorite Beethoven symphony. I have many faves. I do love the Böhm recording, but I also find wonderful clarity in Ansermet, who I think had an almost perfect approach to the work and his orchestra had the perfect clarity of texture, and my first recording was Kondrashin on a Melodiya/Seraphim LP. I still love that old Kondrashin and was most happy to find it on CD some years ago.

[@siddharthasohoni673]

In my opinion, Bohm's best quality is that when critics and others speak about his recordings, they always focus on the work, the rhythms, the orchestral playing, and the singing melodies and add on that Bohm captures them all. They never praise his interpretive choices because they are always very subtle. This symphony is a classic example, as is his other famous 4th, Bruckner's!

[@fitterstoke45]

The Fifth is Beethoven's greatest symphony, but my favourite is the Fourth. So many great recordings, but the !962 Karajan is my personal choice, despite Herbie's typically parsimonious way with repeats.

[@b1i2l336]

Klemperer is also unapologetic in revealing the grandeur and largesse of the Fourth, another favorite! Also, take a look at Gustavo Dudamel and the Berlin Philharmonic live performance, actually hair raising (especially the final movement- the Berliners outdo themselves.)

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

Bohm's certainly is a great 4th. Perhaps Cluyten's with the BPO too (although perhaps in terms of 'greatest EVER!!' it's achievement is eclipsed by Cluyten's 'Pastoral' in the same cycle)? It has weight, but is also lithe and exciting when it needs to be. The slow movement is gorgeous too.

[@KBMars]

Yes. 4 > 3. Böhm rocks. Kletzki and CPO bring out its best, too.

[@richardwiley3676]

I agree with you Dave in preferring No.4 over No.3. In fact I don't particularly like the third, I must be a far outlier!

[@jonathangoodman2636]

As a Haydn lover, I'm not at all surprised you prefer 4 over 3; I am in your camp.

[@rg3388]

This is the Beethoven symphony I'd most like to conduct (mainly under the influence of Carlos Kleiber).

[@markfarrington5183]

The 4th FOREVER...Another greatest version: Szell 1963 Cleveland.

[@bowman05]

Rarely mentioned but wonderful.

[@geshtin]

The 4th is one of my fave Beethovens - don't worry, this has its fans out there! :D It's always sounded to me like Beethoven was channeling his inner Haydn in this one.

[@zenonorth1193]

Slender Grecian maiden. Whatever. You're right: it's a stupid metaphor, no matter how much I like Schumann's music.

[@ssbb2711]

S. Skrowaczewski and Ivan Fischer are also great in this symphony (and C. Kleiber live vesion of course). What do you think? (Knowing that you don't like the Kleiber one).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I think you already know.