BaL 24.12.22 - Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 in D minor

[Ein Heldenleben]

Surely this edition is superfluous since a version has already been chosen for the library.

No today was the “essential “ version not the best. Weird isn’t it …

[Alison]

No today was the “essential “ version not the best. Weird isn’t it …

Thanks for clarification.

[Bryn]

No today was the “essential “ version not the best. Weird isn’t it …

Ah, like Essential Waitrose, eh? Yes, that does rather fit the bill.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

In my list, I didn't draw attention to the versions that are available on vinyl. There are now quite a few, including at least one that harks back to the early days, with the symphony spread extravagantly over four sides. The Chicago/Solti was first issued in this format in 1972, but was later re-released on two sides, with two complete movements on each side. Not to be outdone, EMI reissued their Philharmonia/Klemperer recording on two sides with the Fidelio Overture added to the beginning of Side 1.

[richardfinegold]

Would this be the Koussivetsky in question?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQMU5cFgNAM

Thanks Bryn!

[smittims]

Hi, Jayne, I didn't want to leave your question unanswered, but I think we're starting to split hairs here over what 'struggle' means in this context. I was thinking of the various alternative versions of his symphonies, particularly in the 'finale problem' of the 3rd 4th and 5th. Georg Tintner was illuminating on this aspect of Bruckner in his writings and talks.

[smittims]

Yes, indeed thanks, Bryn. I wonder what the date was. The picture looks like a late- forties Victor album cover. Maybe it was just too late to be included in the late-40s reference books I have. Of the soloists, James Pease survived to appear inthe Decca 'Peter Grimes' of 1958, maybe ten years later.

I still can't trace a Vox Klemperer Ninth. That would be interesting as the earliest I know is a Concertgebouw broadcast from 1956, still rather late in his career.

[Bryn]

Yes, indeed thanks, Bryn. I wonder what the date was. The picture looks like a late- forties Victor album cover. Maybe it was just too late to be included in the late-40s reference books I have. Of the soloists, James Pease survived to appear inthe Decca 'Peter Grimes' of 1958, maybe ten years later.

I still can't trace a Vox Klemperer Ninth. That would be interesting as the earliest I know is a Concertgebouw broadcast from 1956, still rather late in his career.

According to the Youtube credits:

Symphony No 9 in D minor op 125
by Ludwig van Beethoven
1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
2. Molto vivace
3. Adagio cantabile. Andante moderato
Presto. Allegro assai
Frances Yeend, Soprano
Eunice Alberts, ContraltoDavid Lloyd, Tenor
James Pease, Bass
Berkshire Music Festival Chorus
Robert Shaw, Chorusmaster
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Serge Koussevitzky, Conductor
recorded: 06./12.& 13.VIII.1947

The date range looks strage but my guess is that, being from an American source, the 06/12 refers to 12th of June, not 6th of December, though the 6 could, I suppose, by a typing error for 8, i.e August, as in the second, Roman, date.

[gurnemanz]

I note that several versions on my shelf were acquired via complete-set boxes: Karajan, Bernstein, Toscanini, Masur, Konwitschny (soft spot for this one). A few are live - Furtwängler/Bayreuth, Maag/Padua (Gramophone cover disc), Herreweghe (1999), Klemperer (Cologne 1958).

... not to forget the brilliant Cyprien Katsaris in Liszt's piano transcription - 1989 Teldec.

[Bryn]

... not to forget the brilliant Cyprien Katsaris in Liszt's piano transcription - 1989 Teldec.

Very much hoping the rail industrial action for the 13th inst. gets resolved in time for me to attend https://www.city.ac.uk/news-and-even...ce-beethoven-9

[gurnemanz]

Very much hoping the rail industrial action for the 13th inst. gets resolved in time for me to attend https://www.city.ac.uk/news-and-even...ce-beethoven-9

Looks tempting. Sort of thing I'd love to attend but it won't be practicable.

[Petrushka]

Another one of my favourites is the BPO/Fricsay recording on DG Originals. Set down in December 1957 it's an electrifying performance that's up there with the very best and deserves to be better known.

[richardfinegold]

The latest Beethoven Symphony set that I acquired, a few months ago, was Steinberg/Pittsburgh. I finally got around to playing the Ninth Symphony yesterday, inspired by this thread. It may be jewel of this set, and , although I am not going to make any claims that this revelatory or essential listening, it’s worth a listen. Tempos are fast-ish with enough rubato to deflect a claim of being robotic, with a well matched quartet at the finale

[HighlandDougie]

Another one of my favourites is the BPO/Fricsay recording on DG Originals. Set down in December 1957 it's an electrifying performance that's up there with the very best and deserves to be better known.

A very fine performance indeed, with some very classy soloists. I have a Japanese MQA CD version which almost sounds as if it were recorded last week.

As to Klemperer recording it for Vox in Vienna, I suspect that there may be some confusion with the Jascha Horenstein version (released on a single Vox LP of which I have a copy). By coincidence, this is slated for release in January by Presto:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9382537--otto-klemperer-conducts-the-wiener-symphoniker-the-vox-recordings-and-live-performances-1951-1963?country=GB&currency=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAiAp7GcBhA0EiwA9U0mtmVhjVQ9CGkG89C3BzcKQN_xqzAKOk82t7wpfb-Qy-Wsj5vnEcfWtRoC-TgQAvD_BwE

No mention of a Klemperer 9th, either for Vox or live.

[richardfinegold]

Regarding the Beethoven-As-Bruckner influence mini thread: The opening of Beethoven Nine is so unique; I had a friend that was quite devout who described it as God emerging from primordial ooze, which I could endorse if I wasn’t such a profound non believer. Bruckner, however was certainly a believer, and perhaps saw it in similar terms. Certainly the opening of his own Ninth seems to pay homage to Beethoven.
However the Schubert influence, with the coloristic repetition, the Austrian Dances, the beautiful melodies, seems to me to be at least as significant. And it just struck me that Schubert’s last 1.5 Symphonies took a few generations after the composers death.
This music would have been much newer and fresher to A.B. than LvB, which had entered the mainstream within 15 years of Beethoven’s demise