| Review by mwgfrg August 12, 2015 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics:  |
When the Cluytens Beethoven cycle was released on individual LPs in the '60s these overtures were included as fillers on some of the LPs. Since the Cluytens cycle has just been released in Japan on 5 SACDs, symphonies only, the overtures have now been grouped on a single disc for release. They share the same characteristics as the symphonies--excellent performances by the pre-Karajan Berlin Philharmonic, mellow attacks, warm, rounded, balanced sound, nice and clear if lacking the last degree of modern transparency. Once again, tempos are nicely judged, not rapid, but not slowish. Compared to the two other Overture compilations I have in SACD, I prefer this disc to Mazur/Leipzig Gewandhaus (slightly more detailed sound, but Mazur can be a bit stiff) or Colin Davis/Bavarian Radio (nice flow, but a bit shrill in the top strings). My two favorite Beethoven Overture collections from LP days are those by Szell (bracing) and Klemperer (monumental), but their recordings of the overtures can only be found here and there on SACD, coupled with various symphonies, not grouped together.
Again, getting a copy of this Japan-only release is a bit difficult. Once again, as with the symphonies, there were new sealed copies available on eBay, at semi-reasonable prices. Like the symphonies, a very worthwhile acquisition, but not necessarily at a price you may be willing to pay.
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