Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Sir Simon Rattle, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Beethoven: Symphony #9 Choral; Sir Simon Rattle/Vienna Philharmonic

The good and the bizarre

J. Buxton | Waltham, MA United States | 07/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this 9th separately from the rest of Rattle's VPO Beethoven cycle based on many reviews I've read and most reviewers had good things to say about the 9th so I thought I would give it a try. First, let me say this is an excellent recording, the VPO sounds outstanding as they should, the Birmingham chorus is nothing short of remarkable, and the quartet of soloists is very good (if a bit recessed in the recording). Rattle uses the del Mar edition and there is much to enjoy here, especially the wonderful accents in the choral section and several amazingly powerful crescendos throughout. I have one major complaint that keeps this from being my top recommendation and that is the simply bizarre point in the finale toward the very end of the symphony where Rattle almosts silences the chorus for several seconds to let us hear the piccolo part loud and clear. It is not clear why Rattle chooses to do this as it adds nothing to the picture at that point and I feel distracts strongly from the overall sound structure going on at that moment. The piccolo playing fortissimo continues until the end unfortunately and it is a pity this mars an otherwise top choice recording."

Yes, Yes, Yes, but then...

J. Buxton | 10/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Three movements of insight, intelligence, suspense, beauty, feeling (especially in the beautifully executed adagio, the best since Boehm's 1980 VPO account), the right tempi and the gorgeous Vienna sound. And I already thought, this would be the one I have been waiting for since so long. Warmth, no steely sound like HVK. Finally, the perfect ninth, so I thought... But then, in the fourth movement, tragically, things go astray. No harmony, no passion, too many unccordinated individuals. Just compare to Herreweghe with La Chappelle Royale & Collegium Vocale & Orchestre de Champs Elysee on Harmonia Mundi (also on period instruments), and hear what true drama and exitement is really all about...!
The next time, Sir Simon, with the Berlin Phil, listen to the Herreweghe (or a thrilling Solti with CSO), and transfer that spirit to the best orchestra in the world and let us marvel in the choral finale as well, please, please...!"

A revealing and imaginative interpretation

Mark Twain | 02/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, have I been missing out on Beethovens 9th or what?? My previous recording falls stupendously short of this... Simon Rattle shows superb insight with his interpretation of this piece, really hammering home the dynacism and emotional power that is the bread and butter of Beethoven. The thing that makes classical music an expensive pursuit is the variety of recordings for each piece, but this might be the only one you would need of the 9th... As the other reviewers mention though, the fourth movement is... strange. But then again, perhaps we are just used to something that is actually quite off...



The first movement, is really astounding, it's a revelation for me to hear this quality performance and superb recording. The 9th has always been special but this makes it impossible for me to argue against the 9th as truly one of the greatest, if not the greatest symphony ever created... Really this a superb performance, and the recording is excellent having a very open and realistic presence with superb dynamic range!



I will give it 5 stars because the first 3 movements are just too miraculous to miss out on hearing. This is how Beethoven should be played, and recorded for that matter."