Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral"

Sherrill Milnes (Performer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Erich Leinsdorf (Conductor), Josephine Veasey (Performer), Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Jane Marsh (Performer), Plácido Domingo (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Sherrill Milnes, Josephine Veasey, Jane Marsh, Plácido Domingo
• Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Erich Leinsdorf
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003ERY
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,214 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Allegro ma non troppo

2. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Molto vivace

3. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Adagio molto e cantabile

4. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ('Choral'), Op. 125: Presto - Allegro assai / Recitative - Allegro assai

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performance, great price, April 24, 2000

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (Audio CD)

Beethoven was comfortable territory for Leinsdorf and it is good that this performance is still available, particularly at this price. It is big orchestral sound, but the tempi are actually pretty fast compared to other recordings of the Ninth from the mid 60's. The sound is very full and bright and if this recording lacks anything it is the last degree of subtlety in the third movement. The soloists are outstanding, particularly the young Domingo and Milnes. The BSO give a great example of their polished sound from this time period, and the chorus is excellent too. Really one of the best bargain Ninths available today.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible soloists and an aggressive pace, August 3, 2002

By 

John White "weasel rancher" (Texas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (Audio CD)

This recording is incredible. I have two other versions of the 9th. One is a 79 minute recording with Bohm in Berlin. Much too slow. Another is with Szell in Chicago. The timpani are wonderfully mic'ed there, and it's much faster, but the soloists have bothersome accents (lacking the firm German tone) and the playing seems not directly on the beat.

Back to this recording. The soloists are simply fabulous. The playing is fast and firmly on the beat. Notable parts are the finales to the 1st and 4th movements. The first time I heard the end of the 1st movement, I was struck by the aggression and anticipative crawl to climax. Wonderful! And the very finale of the symphony with the horns, maybe 10 seconds before the end: if I cross the gates of heaven (or whatever) this must be the feeling. Certainly Beethoven had such passion in mind when he created this.

This recording is absurdly cheap. If I could have one desert island piece of music, this would be it: no question. Good thing too: my car stereo is acting up and won't eject the disc.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music of Elysium, January 17, 2009

By 

Sara Thornton (CT Swamp) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (Audio CD)

When I die, this can play in Asgard, thank you, & I don't think All-Father will object. Perfect. Absolutely no flaws perfect. The balance and treatmernt of the entire orchestra is glorious, & the singing is the best that I have heard. Some 9ths are slow, some bombastic, & some singers downright horrid. But ther is nothing to change on this.