BEETHOVEN

Symphonies 1-9

Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra / Claudio Abbado

Recorded live at the Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Rome, February 2001

A 'conductor camera' option allows us to see Abbado from the perspective of the orchestra

Includes an interview with Abbado on Beethoven

All in all: a priceless document of the work of one of the greatest artists of our time

With this box containing all nine Beethoven Symphonies, Medici Arts pays tribute to a consummate conductor, Claudio Abbado, and to his very special relationship, not only to the symphonic genius Beethoven but also to the world-class Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. When they performed and recorded all nine Beethoven Symphonies at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, the nationwide Italian newspaper La Repubblica simply called it: "The most wonderful symphonic cycle of the past decade." The recordings from the turn of the millennium marked the high point in Abbado's relationship with the Berlin Philharmonic and his 12 years as their chief conductor, it also constituted a major triumph for the international star in his Italian homeland.

"Originally recorded for DVD, this Rome cycle now emerges as Abbado's 'legacy' choice…Where the Berlin set lacked emotional intensity and sonic immediacy, the Rome cycle provides both... In these vibrant Rome performances he achieves an intensity of effect his hero Furtwängler just might have approved." Gramophone, November 2008 [on the audio cycle]

Picture Format DVD: NTSC 16:9

DVD: PCM Stereo · DD 5.1 · DTS 5.1

Region Code: 0

Booklet Notes: English, German, French

Subtitles: D, GB, F, I, E

Running Time: 6hrs 53mins

Medici Arts 4DVDs 2057378