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Beethoven: Symphonie No 9 / Karajan, Et Al


Release Date: 02/13/2007 
Label:  Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog #: 000815802   Spars Code: n/a 
Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer:  José van Dam,  Peter Schreier,  Anna Tomowa-Sintow,  Agnes Baltsa
Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna Singverein
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
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Notes and Editorial Reviews



BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 • Herbert von Karajan, cond; Anna Tomowa-Sintow (sop); Agnes Baltsa (alt); Peter Schreier (ten); José van Dam (bar); Berlin PO, Wiener Singverein • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6325 (67:16)


Recorded at the end of 1976 and originally released the following year on LP, this is the fourth of Karajan’s five recorded accounts of the Ninth. Though none is quite like another, each made a major impact when first issued and boasted the highest of technical and musical standards at that time. On Read more balance, this version may be the best of the lot. The sound remains impressive, the performance idiomatic and virtuosic, the Berlin brass, in particular being especially impressive. Most significantly, this CD comprises, so far as I know, the reading’s first release as a moderately priced single disc. It is worth every penny. Like many of Karajan’s other recordings, it certainly proves the lie to the inaccurate generalization that he favored an overly refined, legato-based sonority that covered his readings with an inappropriate creamy blanket. Here the winds have bite, the brass snarl, and strings are free of untoward lushness. Note that the second movement lacks both repeats and is free of the Weingartner emendations. With its well-chosen tempos, explosive fortes, and fine sound, this is a most welcome reissue.


FANFARE: Mortimer H. Frank
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Works on This Recording

1.
Symphony no 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer:  José van Dam (Bass), Peter Schreier (Tenor), Anna Tomowa-Sintow (Soprano),
Agnes Baltsa (Alto)
Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna Singverein
Period: Classical 
Written: 1822-1824; Vienna, Austria 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Very good. But NOT with the Vienna Philharmonic October 20, 2015 By Cedric Hubeau C. (LEXINGTON, MA) See All My Reviews "Although there exist legions of excellent 9th Symphony on disc, Karajan's 1977 take is an easy "can't go wrong" choice. Singers and musicians are outstanding, and the quality of the recording itself is quite fine for its age (and DG at that time). This may be Karajan's best rendering indeed, in the sense that it retains the ferocity/urgency of the 1965 version while at the same time it seems more organized, balanced, and finely detailed. However, as so often with Karajan (even in top form) this vesion feels more like a demonstration than a "universal message" of humanity. For this particular purpose, Fricsay/Berlin speaks to one's heart much, much better than Karajan can. Major complaint: Arkiv needs to fix the typo regarding the orchestra. This is NOT the elusive 1976 live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic, but the "regular" 1977 Berlin Philharmonic version that has been/is available in many presentations." Report Abuse
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