Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68403 in Music
• Released on: 2007-09-17
• Number of discs: 85
• Format: Box set
• Running time: 5654 minutes

Customer Reviews

Bargain of the decade (so far).
First, to answer the question posed in the first review, there are two versions of the set. The one apparently on offer here has 'just' the 85 CDs of the complete works in 'modern' recordings. There is also a 100 disc version which includes a further 15 CDs of classic 'historical' recordings, (though some of the 'historical' recordings post-date some of the 'modern' ones). I note that those responsible for this site have now corrected the errors in the photos used. They now show the 85 disc edition.

I have just received the 100 CD version from Amazon France. It cost me an extra £10.57 but the extra discs are well worth having. In France the set comes with a printed booklet (in French, of course) compiled by David Moncut. Here, and in all other countries, you only get the text of that booklet, in the orignal English from which it was translated, (along with translations into Spanish and Italian), on the 'free' CDROM disc included with the set.

For those who already have the Brilliant Classics 40 CD Beethoven "Masterworks" set, I would advise that as far as I can see, only two works are represented in the two sets by the some recording. They are Op. 61a and 85.

Just take a look at what recordings you get for your money, and go for it.

Brilliant Bethoven
Following Scratcher's review, I ordered the Brilliant Beethoven Edition from Amazon France. It arrived yesterday via DHL, thus avoiding the strike. It is "brilliant" and can only be given five stars. That one star review should not be allowed to colour anyone's opinion. It includes many great performances and much little known material that not even the keenest Beethoven fan will already have. It cost me £56.35 including 6 Euro postage.

However, I note that it has been replaced on the Amazon France site by the 85CD version at the same price - EUR 74,99. This is the one that Amazon UK is offering. The extra historical discs on the 100CD set are definitely worth having. Maybe it is in short supply. In which case, anyone wanting should act quickly. Unless Amazon are planning to offer it, you will have to look elsewhere.

The first performance I listened to was Friedrich Gulda's riveting playing of the op 109 Sonata.

Great performances, great price
I can't recommend this box highly enough. The complete piano sonatas (1960s cycle) and the complete piano concertos (1970) performed by Friedrich Gulda! I mean, do you still have any doubts? Several discs of piano works, bagatelles and variations by Alfred Brendel. The symphonies by Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Kurt Masur originally issued by Decca in 1974. The string quartets by the Guarneri Quartet (the 1987-1992 cycle). The Missa Solemnis by London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra, and Sir Colin Davis. Leonore by Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden, and Herbert Blomstedt (1976). What else? The sonatas for cello and piano by Heinrich Schiff and the very talented Till Fellner (1998), the Violin Sonatas by Arthur Grumiaux and Clara Haskil, Decca 1956/57, a classic cycle, in mono though.

There are also some unexpected gems in this box. In addition to Brendel's discs of piano works (original Vox recordings from 1961 to 1964, mostly in fine albeit not excellent sound quality), there is a disc of piano works (recorded in 2006 in superb sound) played by Georg Friedrich Schenck, who puts in a blazing performance of some of Beethoven's less well-known compositions for solo piano. In fact, the works on this disc (CD 59), played in this order, would make a rewarding recital programme. Ulrich Staerk makes a convincing case for Beethoven's first exploration of the piano sonata form, the Kurfürstensonate WoO 47 nos 1-3 (recorded in 2007) and Rainer Maria Klaas contributes the rest of the piano works not covered by Brendel (also recorded in 2007). Mr Klaas also appears behind the piano in some of the many songs that round off this incredible box.

This is indeed the bargain of the century.