Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Zdenek Macal, Janice Taylor :: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

Surprising Ninth

David Mente | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | 02/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Milwaukee Symphony would not be expected to be a top choice for a recording of the Beethoven Ninth Symphony. Zdenek Macal is also not a household name even in households that listen to classical music. However, I know Macal from frequent guest conducting with the Pittsburgh Symphony and know that he is an excellent conductor. This ninth is well constructed. The tempos are brisk but they never seem rushed as many of the recent period instrument seem. This is a live recording and the sense of occasion is heard on this disk. I prefer this to some of the other recent recordings of this piece that utilize brisk tempos such as Zander or Zinman or Mackeras. While this may not be my absolute top chioce for recordings of this piece, it holds up well. So allow yourself to be surprised and give this a try."