"Best" Recording of Ludwig van Beethoven's “Für Elise” on Vinyl and Tape?

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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I rarely like piano solos but I love this one. I presently do not own this piano piece in vinyl or tape.

I appreciate that there likely is the usual tension between which recording of this piece sounds thd best audio-wise, and which is the best performance of this piece musically.

Please tell me your nominees which are great recordings as well as generally highly regarded performances. Alternatively, please tell simply which is your overall favourite recording of this piece on vinyl and tape.

Thank you!
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
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The emperor on my link for recordings is excellent as well. I heard it first at ddk and you heard it in Holland when we did the TT compares. It is excellent. Of course if you want originals ask Larry. Why Fur Elise only.

The best I have ever heard a system perform is the with B's 9th, by Solti, at Mike's (which was already performing way above everything). Ken McCarty on audiogon has many different recordings of this and recommended the Mo Fi though haven't heard.
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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We just happen to really like that piece. Thank you, bonzo!

I am sure Peter A, when he finishes the sailing season, will have recordings to suggest!
 

rsorren1

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
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Ron, I did a quick check of "Beethoven - Fur Elise" on DISCOGS. I found two LPs right away that should be excellent both in performance and quality. Alfred Brendel is one of the best pianists ever and a noted Beethoven interpreter. Fur Elise appears on a Phillips LP that should sound excellent. Also, noted Beethoven interpreter Wilhelm Kempf has a DG recording with Fur Elise and other piano pieces by Schubert, Schumann, Mozart, Brahms that should be excellent.
 

Ron Resnick

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Thank you very much, rsorren1!
 

morricab

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2014
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Hi Ron
Look for Wilhelm Kempff's interpretation on Deutsche Grammophone. Another would be Alfred Brendel on Philips.
Cheers
Brad
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Beverly Hills, CA
Thank you, Brad!
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,346
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Beverly Hills, CA
Thank you, Lee! It is pretty unanimous in favour of those two recordings!
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
16,017
13,346
2,665
Beverly Hills, CA
From Discogs I ordered two of the Brendel on Philips and two of the Kempff on DG.

(They will remain boxed, like every LP and tape I have ordered during the last four years, until sometime next year.)

I thank each of you for the recommendations and the assistance!
 

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