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Every symphony here bears the trademark Van Karajan clarity and precision, but unlike his later recordings of Beethoven, there is also plenty of fire and passion. I really like the tempos he chooses for the fifth and the seventh (my favorite). Ever since I bought Karajan's 1963 interpretations of these two a number of years ago, I've never really liked any other conductor's treatment of the finales of these two symphonies, Karajan's seem that perfectly done to me. The first, second, fourth, and eighth are all excellent interpretations, and they will remind any listener that, although they are not considered among Beethoven's colossal achievements, perhaps they should be (especially the fourth). While he might have put a bit more bounce into the eighth, which is without doubt Beethoven's jauntiest symphony, I find that's just a minor quibble on my part.

With the third, sixth and ninth, you won't be disappointed by any means, since none of these interpretations is anything but excellent. But after you listen to them for a while and decide that these symphonies are essential to living a long and happy life, you might want to cast around for alternatives to complement Karajan. It's generally acknowledged that Karajan's 1977 recording of the ninth is his best, and that it is among the greatest interpretations of all time. It's also available on a single disk. For the third, Otto Klemperer, hands down. After Karajan heard Klemperer conduct the third in the 1950's, he visited Klemperer backstage to congratulate him and said that he hoped he would live long enough to one day conduct the slow movement of this symphony as well as Klemperer had done it. High praise indeed. For the sixth, either Karl Bohm or Klemperer again.

That said, I think any lover of Beethoven, or anyone just starting out on getting together a Beethoven collection, should have this set. And it's rare to find such a generous price attached to such a formidable collection.

87 of 91 found the following review helpful:

There are 3 versions of this 1963 set that differ in sound quality, price, and packaging.May 20, 2006
By J. West "jw library"
This 1963 recording has been remastered twice. (It's been "reissued" a zillion times but I think it's only been "remastered" 2 times.) The version you should get depends on the amount of money you want to spend and the level of sound fidelity you're looking for.

-- ASIN # B000001GBQ: this item you're looking at DG429036; the least expensive version (also same as import package ASIN # B000056OBA)

-- ASIN # B000001GZ4: 1997 remaster DG453701 (done as part of the special 87-disc 20-volume Beethoven Complete Edition). This version is about $25 more and also has a nice color book with history and photos. Used "Original-ImageBit-Processing" technology.

-- ASIN # B0000C03AH: 2003 remaster to SACD DG474600. This version at a hundred+ bucks is 4 times the cost of the basic set.

(And no doubt in the future there will be another remaster using another whizbang technology like "holographic projection" sound.)

I recommend the 1997 remaster (B000001GZ4). It has the best value combination of price and sound quality.

103 of 109 found the following review helpful:

The best Beethoven symphony set out there so farDec 12, 2000
By Tina Morris "schultheiss"
Over his 35year tenure with the Berlin Philharmonic Herbert von Karajan recorded 4 complete Beethoven symphony cycles. This 1963 one is his masterpiece. Just as there are people who like either the even- or the odd-numbered symphonies better, this set will not please everybody in every single aspect, but it is as good as anybody can get on an artistic proposition of this format. The cycle conveys a very clear artistic vision. Probably better than anything else Karajan ever recorded it epitomizes the unique sound he was able to create with 'his' Philhramonic. This makes the cycle very homogenous, all symphonies have the same overall very high quality. In contrast to some of his very early Viennese recordings, his pace is quicker, and as always he creates a wonderful transparency of sound. My personal favorites are #7 and #9, the latter is done wonderfully both in terms of soloists and choir. An extremely moving experience. The sound quality of this '63 recording is very good, but with Deutsche Grammophon one is generally never disappointed in that regard anyway.

22 of 22 found the following review helpful:

1963 Karajan & David Zinman: Two of the Best SetsMar 09, 2005
By Paul W.
I have 3 different Beethoven Nine Symphonies sets now:

(1) 'The Beethoven Collection' by Janos Ferencsik (ASIN: B000001VVY)

(2) 'Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies' by David Zinman (ASIN: B00000IFP6)

(3) 'Beethoven: 9 Symphonien' by Herbert von Karajan (ASIN: B000001GBQ).

The first one is a budget set and has taken early retirement since I acquired the latter two, which I found to be far superior. Yet, there is a difference between the latter two.

The critically acclaimed David Zinman edition is slightly lightweight, but has the advantage of speed and dramatics and really grabs your attention. For those times when I feel bored and need something exciting to perk me up, that's when I reach for the David Zinman edition. It is Beethoven driven at a very fast pace, as mentioned by numerous others earlier.

The widely acknowledged 1963 Herbert von Karajan edition has a large grand orchestral sound which is warm and lush; I reach for it when I want to unwind and enjoy sweet orchestral music. The quality of the recording is still excellent despite its age, and if you are coming over to classical music from smooth Jazz, this is an easier transition.

I strongly recommend these 2 sets - if you like your Symphonies hot and exciting go for the Zinman edition; if you want something warm and lush, go for the 1963 Karajan edition, or better still, grab both sets like me.

23 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Very reqarding as a wholeFeb 12, 2003
By C Drummond
This is (with the probable exception of the Pastoral) an outstanding set of recordings. Karajan captures the fire within Beethoven's music and brings the phenomenal best out of the Berlin musicians. The reason that this set is treated with contempt by some 'well-informed' reviewers is that it comes as the benchmark in Beethoven performance. Some people have been familiar with these recordings for 40+ years and consequently when different performance styles came about, they were treated as a 'much needed breath of fresh air'. Well, of course they were to such people. However, this doesn't detract from the immediacy or brilliance of the music making in this set. In many ways this is the ideal introduction into Beethoven's symphonic canon, without the extremes or quirkiness of the 'period influenced' Harnoncourt or Gardiner. As has been mentioned, the sixth is a slight disappointment, overly rushed and lacking the spacious, joyful sigh of relief that is required in the final movement. Thus, a separate purchase of Bohm or Walter's recording of this work is to be recommended. However, with this set being as inexpensive as it is, this extra purchase scarcely makes it uneconomical.

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