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

[cloughie]

Not that I can remember it too well, but I attended the LPO performance in 1974 which concluded a Haitink Beethoven cycle, which also included the piano concertos played by Ashkenazy. Six fabulous concerts, but early in my classical listening days. His subsequent recording of the symphonies probably was overtaken by later performances.

I seem to remember it appeared on CD a few years ago at a not very competitive price and fairly quickly disappeared.

[Darloboy]

If you forced me to choose one I suspect it would be the 1954 Philharmonia/Furtwangler . Though I am very fond of many others - the live Testament Klemperer that I think Stephen Johnson chose as the winner , the 1951 Bayreuth Furtwangler on Orfeo, the late and fabulous Stokowski etc etc .

Yes, Stephen Johnson chose the 1957 Festival Hall Klemperer as his first choice, with Abbado's 1996 Salzburg BPO performance as a modern recommendation.

The symphony doesn't come up on BaL as much as one might expect. It was previously covered in January 1988 by Richard Osborne (I don't know what he chose then, although he picked BPO/Karajan 1977 when he covered the complete symphonies on single discs back in September 1979).

[richardfinegold]

Not that I can remember it too well, but I attended the LPO performance in 1974 which concluded a Haitink Beethoven cycle, which also included the piano concertos played by Ashkenazy. Six fabulous concerts, but early in my classical listening days. His subsequent recording of the symphonies probably was overtaken by later performances.

Haitink was a beloved conductor but his Beethoven Symphony recordings have underwhelmed. Otoh, he was a great accompanist in the Concertos

[Petrushka]

I played the Fricsay recording the other day and was bowled over again. Tom Service could do much worse than choose this one as the 'winner'. The BPO playing is glorious; just listen to the delightful interplay between the woodwind, especially in the second movement. The 1957 DG sound could have been recorded yesterday. Everything is beautifully 'placed', timpani and aforementioned woodwind (nice bassoon) fine as any other version I know and the Turkish percussion in the last movement catches the ear better than most.

There's a fine team of soloists and excellent choral work too. It also has the excitement of a live performance (which it isn't).

If it doesn't 'win' then it certainly deserves to be heard. Of all the LVB 9s I have this one really is an 'Ode to Joy' and I'd be happy to take it as my recommended version.

[smittims]

Fricsay was consistently praised during his too-short career. His Mozart Operas, his Fidelio, his Verdi Requiem, all winners. It was tragic he was denied an 'Indian Summer' like other conductors.

[cloughie]

Fricsay was consistently praised during his too-short career. His Mozart Operas, his Fidelio, his Verdi Requiem, all winners. It was tragic he was denied an 'Indian Summer' like other conductors.

His Tchaik 4 5 and 6 were also excellent.

[Mal]

I've got 83 versions on my shelves (Cloughie will no doubt exceed that!) ...

I have 476 versions (in Spotify!))

[Ein Heldenleben]

Interesting that TS likes Karajan / BPO (1962). First one I ever bought which I most have heard hundreds of times. Don’t remember the acoustic being so reverberant but what a dramatic performance even now.

[Bryn]

Good to be reminded that Beethoven did not compose a "scherzo" for this symphony. The Molto Vivace movement may have a few pointed 'jokes' in it but, as a whole, is no joke.

[Ein Heldenleben]

So one of the slowest ever Adagios was performed and recorded in the Third Reich. I don’t share TS ‘s moral qualms about finding such a beauty in that 1942 perf as I thought Furtwangler’s excruciatingly slow tempo ridiculous.(wonderful playing though) .Thank God for Jordi Saval ..

[Bryn]

So one of the slowest ever Adagios was performed and recorded in the Third Reich. I don’t share TS ‘s moral qualms about finding such a beauty in that 1942 perf as I thought Furtwangler’s excruciatingly slow tempo ridiculous.(wonderful playing though) .Thank God for Jordi Saval ..

Indeed, though I also greatly admire Krivine in this work. As to Furtwangler's 'arrangement' of the Adagio molto e cantabile, it just is not what Beethoven composed, great playing or not.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Indeed, though I also greatly admire Krivine in this work. As to Furtwangler's 'arrangement' of the Adagio molto e cantabile, it just is not what Beethoven composed, great playing or not.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of TS dislikers I am very much enjoying the intelligence of this discussion .

[Bryn]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of TS dislikers I am very much enjoying the intelligence of this discussion .

Rather remiss of him not to mention that Norrington has since recognised that he got the Janissary music wrong in his recording with the LCP. The later recording with the Stuttgarters takes a rather different approach. I will get hold of the Petrenko, however.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Rather remiss of him not to mention that Norrington has since recognised that he got the Janissary music wrong in his recording with the LCP. The later recording with the Stuttgarters takes a rather different approach. I will get hold of the Petrenko, however.

Yes that Petrenko recording hasn’t been mentioned on this thread ( I think - could be wrong ). It came a bit from left field as I thought he was going to settle on Norrington . l suspect his real choice was Furtwangler 1942 but , as TS made quite clear that is too contaminated really. Also interesting the the “Essential “ recording selected on this very programme two weeks back by JEG barely got a look-in.

[Bryn]

Yes that Petrenko recording hasn’t been mentioned on this thread ( I think - could be wrong ). It came a bit from left field as I thought he was going to settle on Norrington. l suspect his real choice was Furtwangler 1942 but, as TS made quite clear that is too contaminated really. Also interesting [that] the “Essential “ recording selected on this very programme two weeks back by JEG barely got a look-in.

The JEG got several mentions and clips, whereas Norrinton's later and superior live recording with the Stuttgarters did not.