Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 [Import]

Endrik Wottrich (Artist), Melanie Diener (Artist), Petra Lang (Artist), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Philippe Herreweghe (Conductor), Champs Elysees Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Champs Elysees Orchestra
• Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
• Audio CD (May 11, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B00000IXTC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,809 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Herreweghe Interprets All Composers Nicely, May 13, 2006

By 

R. Gerard (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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

Harmonia Mundi has a real knack for taking old, oft-recorded classics and breathing new life into them. This is largely thanks not only to HM's marvelous sound quality, but to the artists who the people at HM employ on the label's roster. For HM, Rene Jacobs has interpreted old-favorite Mozart operas with unmatched vitality, Konrad Junghanel has done it with Bach cantatas, Andrew Manze with Mozart's instrumental works, and Phillipe Herreweghe with the larger scale choral works of Bach.

But what Herreweghe has done here with Beethoven prooves that he is capable of interpreting for any period, just like (if not better than) John Eliot Gardiner.

Just like many other music students/enthusiasts, I have many recordings of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, but none other has attracted my ear more than Herreweghe's, not even the classic Karajan on DG or the new Zinman on Arte Nova. Yes, Herreweghe uses period instruments, but the Orchestre Des Champs d'Elysees packs just as much punch as any full size symphony orchestra.

Mr. Herreweghe really does keep things moving too, and takes full advantage of the orchestra's dynamics. While conductors like Zinman (who's interpretation I love nontheless) will utilize sheer speed to convey drama, Herreweghe really brings out the passion from each of his players.

What I love most about Herreweghe's Ninth Symphony is the "Turkish" themed march in the middle of the fourth movement. The conductor's use of dynamics is excellent here, as the simple beat of cymbals and bass drums swells from pianissimo to forte, and becomes "high art" with full strings and chorus. Herreweghe thusly cannot be merely portrayed as an excellent conductor of sacred works, but as a real dramatist.

Each vocal soloist is excellent and Herreweghe's choir remains my all-time favorite (they are just so uniform, and they sing from the heart, and not to be showy... "vom Herzen," as Beethoven often said). I am especially impressed with the tenor. I am so used to tenors singing the "Froh, wie seinen Sonne (etc..)" during the Turkish tinged march sounding the same and uninspired with each recording. But not here. Listen to it, and you'll see what I mean.

Beethoven's score is beyond words, and Herreweghe's conducting really does it justice. Listen for yourself.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clean and fresh period instrument rendition ..., February 5, 2006

By 

Pater Ecstaticus (Norway) - See all my reviews

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

The recording is immaculate and clear, only enhancing the timbres and colours of the period instruments, which is good. The speeds seem to be correct, as indicated by Beethoven's own metronome markings, which is also refreshing. The 'gravitas' many may have come to expect from this music - enhanced by the bigger modern orchestra, more powerful modern instruments and (more so) by the style of conducting - is missing here, the result of the 'leaner' character of the period instruments used, and the (often notably) faster speeds than those which have been the norm for many decades. But when one considers all this, one has to admit that the playing here is full of power and replete with character.
As the general aim of using period instruments is to recreate the vitality of the original performances, this recording should convey this. To me at least, it does. For many other people, I can imagine it may all just take a while to get used to (or maybe never?), but when one is prepared to listen to this performance with an open mind, one has to admit that this view is at least as legitimate as any other, especially because it stays true to the source material, even if one may ultimately be missing the extra 'oomph' given by a rendition with modern instruments. But then again, in the end, everything depends on the quality of the playing and conducting, whatever the type of instruments used (please try Sir Charles Mackerras' absolutely gorgeous, freshly inspired recordings with modern orchestra as proof of this (The Beethoven Symphonies Live from The Edinburgh Festival [Box Set])

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good, September 10, 2003

By 

Arnout Koeneman (the netherlands) - See all my reviews

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

3 stars average?
And the guy before me gave it only one star.
?
This is without a doubt the best Beethoven 9, in my opinion ofcourse.
This recording is breathtaking.
My favorite piece of this symphony: the opening movement is at last given the right speed, drive and rhythm.
I do not exaggerate when I claim that this is very likely the best possible way to perform this piece.
Brilliant.
Needless to say that the singing is excellent, what you'd expect from Herreweghe.

Please do me a favour and listen to this disc, don't believe those editor remarks: the spirit and mystery is greatly served by Herreweghe.