07-10-2026 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree Romy the Cat Boston, MA Posts 10,488 Joined on 05-28-2004 Post #: 1 Post ID: 29788 Reply to: 29788 A true High-End Audio "I wish I could score everything for horns." - Richard Wagner. "Our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." - Friedrich Nietzsche

07-12-2026 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree Paul S San Diego, California, USA Posts 2,883 Joined on 10-12-2006 Post #: 2 Post ID: 29789 Reply to: 29788 Initial Reaction Thank you very much, Romy. I have only listened from YouTube so far, but I get enough via headphones that I am following up, for just the reasons you cite. I love it when musicians are the Music, especially when it's Music like this. The Adagio from the 9th tears me up. Like many others, I have generally avoided cycles. The Leibowitz is the only (stereo) Beethoven cycle I have ever bought, and it has been a very long time since I played it through. As you say, this is downright compelling, especially if you care about the history and culture, which they somehow get across without pretense. After all, it's who they are. Paul S