Breadth, flexibility, wit and an all-pervading sense of musical line are among the many virtues that distinguish Peter Maag’s immensely likeable Beethoven cycle ... Padua (No. 9). Symphonies Nos. 5, 6 ...

Abbado has been in semi-permanent revolt against the Italian school of Beethoven interpretation. In these vibrant Rome performances he achieves an intensity of effect his hero Furtwängler just might ...