Customer Reviews

Bernstein in Vienna- Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 4, 6 & 9 (Classic Performances)

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The Beethoven Ninth was a specialty for Bernstein, who worked it up to a farethewell on many occasions--I was present at one where he fel off the podium! He wasn't so lucky on CD with the work, however, and his best-selling "Ode to Freedom" from the newly demolished Berlin Wall on DG is pretty awful musically. But here in Vienna we get a terrific first movment and scherzo, full of life and Bernstein's typical brio. The slow movment, unfortunately, suddenly goes to a much lower temperature and just moves along without event, which is also true of the choral finale and the whole Pastoral symphony, one of Bernstein's most glib and routine readings from this era. Strange, considering how much he loved the piece. But the Fourth Sym is very good, and all the sonics are much improved over the origianl Seventies LPs and the first CD issue. Recommended as a sampler of Bernstein in Vienna without huge enthusiasm, however