Beethoven’s 3rd, the symphony that changed everything...

In this video I focus solely on four of the recordings of Beethoven's Eroica symphony (Op 55) conducted by Herbert von Karajan. However, there are many, many other brilliant recordings by incredibly conductors. Here is a list of just a few of them:

Gustavo Dudamel:

Klaus Tennstedt:

Bernard Haitink:

Sir Simon Rattle:

Leonard Bernstein:

Nikolaus Harnoncourt:

Jos Van Immerseel

Interesting videos:

Social media links:

[johnjackson]

Thanks awfully for the info on one of my favourite symphonies.

[audiorick]

I’m not a classical music connoisseur, but when I listen to you speaking about it with such knowledge and passion, you are slowly making me an adept of classical music. Thank you.

[quexalcoatl]

220 years later that first movement still gives me goosebumps.

[stpd]

Beethoven’s Third Symphony is an astonishing masterpiece. I have 30 different recordings of it and all are different. I love it.

[jipe]

Wonderful video and amazing commentary. Thank you so much. Beehoven's 3rd symphony is brilliant and masterful.

[DonHamlin]

These videos focusing on a single work are really great. Please keep them coming.

[SittaCarolinensis]

Classical music has only two periods - before Beethoven, and after Beethoven!

[AdiMaco]

Happy New Year Mr. Harley Lovegrove! I love Beethoven! About the 3rd. I have listened to a few renditions of different conductors but I like Paul Kletzky with Czech Philarmonic. I don't know why, but my preferred Beethoven symphony is the 5th by Paul Klezky with Czech Philarmonic (Supraphon) but also Gunter Wand with NDR Sinfonieorchestre (RCA) and Erich Kleiber with Concertgebouworkest (Decca).

[BenLittauer]

I've been a lover of the Eroica since a music appreciation course at Cornell taught by Don Randel. I was driving somewhere recently and the radio was tuned to the classical station, and I usually switch over to some hard rock, but Eroica was playing and the performance was just staggeringly engaging. Turned out it was the Pittsburgh Symphony under the direction of Manfred Honeck. This recording is highly recommended! And thanks, Harley, for a great exposition, as usual.

[Orlandomendez-km]

Thank you so much. I enjoyed your comments and the way you exposed them. The third is my symphony per se; is like to see the storm and the tornado coming toward me by the power of his genius, but without destruction in between; it is Beethoven who comes to give us peace, strength and a different kind of energy
I have a marvelous version; it is not Karajan’s; don’t have the name of the conductor at hand
Thanks again
Greetings from Costa Rica

[Evangelion]

This is literally my dream job. I could do this tirelessly, in another life hopefully! Thank you for this and for the video on Sibelius' 3rd.

[IvanTerreroDDS]

My favorite symphony of all time, I have heard this live 5 times, know it by heart!

[sparkliteto]

Phenomenal video. Maybe my favourite of Harvey’s to date. I love jumping between vinyl versions. Thank you Harvey. Entertaining and I learned something along the way. I only have a Bernstein recording of #3 so hearing these different versions makes me want to go learn more.

[DavidG-ml]

Many thanks for this Harley, i loved it . I have loved this piece for a long time first hearing in my early teens . Listening to you i have learned much more about it . Great stuff.

[garysmith]

Hello Harley. Two things, first, the pipe organ company I have worked for over 34 years now, are employed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra during the summer when they are at Tanglewood, Lenox MA. Shed organ under our care and the portative organ for the Bach Cantatas in Ozawa Hall. We tune the instruments to the BSO standard of A=441 !

Secondly, as long time subscriber of the Digital Concert Hall (Berlin) I have watched all the Von Karjan movies they offer from the archives. It is well known that Karjan was very much into audio tech back in the day. His good friend Gunter was instrumental in engineering as HVK requested. Can you say MULTI CHANNEL microphones (up to 65!!) 😊 No wonder those recordings sound so different.

He wanted to control all the individual sections of the orchestra broken down to the maximum degree for complete control room style mixdowns. You must have read all about this history. HVK was also very much into the digital/CD tech before he passed.

Thanks for your presentation as always.

[AdiMaco]

And WOW, even through YT and through microphones, the Sibelius speakers sound amazing, simply amazing!

[lvbdevinelove]

I really enjoyed this video. Ur knowledge, passion and appreciation of the 'genius of Beethoven' makes u my new favorite listening buddy. Thanks for dancing with me to this

[eldred]

This is a truly wonderful series Harley. As only a casual listener to Classical music (Classicfm in the UK) my eyes have been opened to a richness of music that I was hitherto unaware. Your enthusiasm and knowledge are infectious, and have caused me to seek out more and more Classical music in my leisure-time listening. Keep 'em coming please.

[gordonwong]

"I truly appreciate the depth of detail and keen observations you share. Taking the time to demonstrate these excerpts from various recordings allows us to fully immerse ourselves and grasp the unique decisions that conductors make in their interpretation. Your insights have undoubtedly helped me develop a more discerning ear and a profound love for the music at a much deeper level. I am aware that preparing these videos requires considerable effort, so I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for your dedication and hard work."

[carlitomelon]

Charming presentation Mr Lovegrove, Thank you!
I'd been procrastinating on watching so I could give my full attention on the TV and stereo. Finally made time this morning.
Bravo!
(No question the Sibelius speakers are full bodied in their presentation.... I could see and hear those tiny drivers bass response;-)
I've had the DG77 Karajan on cd so long that the foam protection rotted away.
Streaming the 66 right now. Impressive!
Very glad for Qobuz to make this fantastic music so easily accessible.
Thanks for the enthusiastic reintroduction. I'll be on a Beethoven kick for a while again 🎶😊🎶