These are the most old-fashioned performances of the works that I have listened to in a very long time...Barenboim has fallen under the spell of Furtwangler: several of these performances are virtually carbon copies of Barenboim's great predecessor...In short, despite serious shortcomings' this is a worthwhile and often moving set.

he appears to conceive of a Beethovenian performing style derived backwards from the Ninth and, more than that, from Wagner's idea of the Ninth. What distinguishes Barenboim's set...is the courage of its iconoclastic convictions...Barenboim will challenge, perplex or irritate you at every turn.

The lean, tight, firecracker approach to Beethoven, currently fashionable, is not Barenboim’s way. An old romantic at heart, he refuses to give crisp definition even to the motto rhythms launching No 5...Once Beethoven’s kaleidoscope turns gently lyrical, conductor and musicians are more persuasive. The lighter the symphony in gesture and texture, the better the performances become.

Hearing such a refreshingly old-fashioned, heavyweight approach to Beethoven still feels like a guilty pleasure. Tempi tend to be broad yet flexible, and the odd-numbered symphonies are the ones which emerge most happily.