Buy Symphonies 1-9 / Overtures Review
Symphonies 1-9 / Overtures Overview
How is it possible that one of the greatest Beethoven cycles on disc, and certainly the finest in the Sony catalog, winds up at budget price? Here's a little insider information: When Sony moved its corporate headquarters to Germany, the Herbert von Karajan-obsessed leaders of the company figured that all of those "older" recordings were worthless, particularly the American ones. Having no clue that George Szell was one of the two or three greatest conductors of the 20th century, they then stuck them on their cheapie budget line, and voilá! Great Beethoven at a rock bottom price. Sony's back in New York now, under sensible management, and Szell's recordings are still the best deal in town. --David Hurwitz
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