Ludwig van Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies - Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony Orchestra

Customer Rating:
Summary: Masterful, With One Caveat
Comment: I disagree with the criticism of Toscanini's conducting speed - it feels right to me. I also disagree with excessive criticism of the recording quality - it sounds fine to me; not up to today's standards but the recordings are over a half century old.

However, BMG or RCA (both have their imprints on the box set) should be taken to task for their packaging quality control. My set came with 2 Beethoven piano concertos rather than the 4th movement of Symphony # 9. I used the $5 spif from Amazon and purchased the MP3 download of the 4th movement; but I would have felt sorely misused if that hadn't been an option or if I had only wanted to play the CD's. So beware.

The music however is outstanding and it's wonderful to have all 9 together and under the baton of Toscanini!

Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite Beethoven cycle
Comment: Stated simply, this is the grandest cycle of Beethoven symphonies available.Don't let other reviewers make you think that the sound is terrible.It is not.I am very picky about what I listen to,and the minor imperfections in this set cannot come close to comparing with the positive aspects.This set has (in my opinion the best version of the 1st and 8th I have ever heard).I hope all that purchase this set get one tenth of the enjoyment out of it that I have.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Beethoven and Toscanini
Comment: Editions of Beethoven- Toscanini recordings have been around for a long time now. These records offered here are an excellent collection of the late recordings. Highly recommended

Customer Rating:
Summary: Junk, utterly ruined by poor sound quality
Comment: Title says it all, it matters not who performed / conducted the cycle when the sound quality of the recording is this poor. Its like listening to a 40 year old record through a tunnel with cotton stuffed in your ears.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great value for the money!
Comment: This is a collection of all nine of Beethoven's symphonies conducted by the legendary Arturo Toscanini. It can't be beat for the price! It's an unbelievably good bargain.