Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 / Fantasia for Piano & Orchestra Op. 80

A great performance of the Choral Fantasy is, unfortunately, shackled to a tepid version of the Sixth Symphony. Claudio Abbado's Beethoven is highly variable, and this performance more or less sets the tone for most of the performances in his symphony cycle: some beautiful playing, a dull slow movement and finale, and a general sense of routine despite fine moments. Abbado seems to have gone to sleep with his interpretations, but there's no reason that you should too. --David Hurwitz