Notwithstanding its silly title, Denon's The Ultimate Most Relaxing Beethoven in the Universe is actually an enjoyable compilation of slow movements taken from several of the sonatas, chamber works, and symphonies, and one that lacks any of the minor problems associated with other titles in this series. Where some of Denon's Ultimate twofers are slightly misleading in their content or variable in sound quality, this double disc delivers what it advertises, and the reproduction is well balanced and exceptional throughout the ...
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Notwithstanding its silly title, Denon's The Ultimate Most Relaxing Beethoven in the Universe is actually an enjoyable compilation of slow movements taken from several of the sonatas, chamber works, and symphonies, and one that lacks any of the minor problems associated with other titles in this series. Where some of Denon's Ultimate twofers are slightly misleading in their content or variable in sound quality, this double disc delivers what it advertises, and the reproduction is well balanced and exceptional throughout the set. The list of performers is impressive, including pianist Bruno-Leonardo Gelber, the Smetana Quartet, the Vienna Chamber Ensemble, and the Berliner Staatskapelle, among others, in performances that are clean and sensitively played, often at the highest levels of musicianship. While no one should consider this package the only Beethoven collection ever needed -- indeed, one should learn his works as complete pieces, and not settle for excerpts -- this compilation is a decent...
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