1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old Fashioned 9th, February 27, 2005
This review is from: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (Audio CD)
If you are like me, you have multiple versions of Beethoven's 9th. It seems like this music just begs for a variety of interpretations. Raymond Leppard is a fine conductor and this is a very satisfying version of this great masterpiece. If you prefer your Beethoven in the new taut style with very fast tempos, I would not buy this recording. The first movement is very broad. The beautiful lyrical sections are simply gorgeous. The scherzo is played with all the repeats, lasting 16 minutes, way too long, in my opinion. Surprisingly, the slow movement is played very briskly, and lasts only 14 minutes. However, it is really beautiful at this quicker tempo. But the crowning glory of this performance is the magnificent finale, with tremendous vitality and passion. The soloists are the not best but certainly adequate (remember, this is a budget recording). The chorus is exceptional and the playing of the Royal Philharmonic is outstanding. You will not find a better 9th for less than 6 bucks.
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