Recordings that you enjoy: Beethoven Symphony #9

Started by Gurn Blanston, April 26, 2009, 08:39:39 AM

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Gurn Blanston

#460
OK, here's the updated list;

Year                           Orchestra               Conductor
Performed   
1929       Berlin State Opera Orchestra     Fried, Oscar
1935       Vienna Philharmonic            Weingartner, Felix
1942       Berlin Philharmonic                    Furtwängler, Wilhelm
1948-53       New York Philharmonic            Walter, Bruno
1952       Bavarian RSO                    Jochum, Eugen
1952       NBC Symphony                    Toscanini, Arturo
1953       Vienna Philharmonic            Furtwängler, Wilhelm
1953       Vienna State Opera Orchestra   Scherchen, Hermann
1954       Philharmonia                            Furtwängler, Wilhelm
1954       National Orchestra                    Schuricht, Carl
1955       Philharmonia                            Karajan, Herbert von
1955       Vienna Philharmonic            Walter, Bruno
1956       Royal Philharmonic                    Beecham, Thomas
1956       Royal Concertgebouw            Klemperer, Otto
1957       Philharmonia                            Klemperer, Otto
1958       Berlin Philharmonic                    Cluytens, André
1958       Berlin Philharmonic                    Fricsay, Ferenc
1958       Boston SO                            Munch, Charles
1959       Orchestre Suisse-Romande    Ansermet, Ernest
1960       Leipzig Gewandhaus            Konwitschny, Franz
1961       Chicago Symphony            Reiner, Fritz
1961       Royal Philharmonic                    Leibowitz, Rene
1962       Berlin Philharmonic                    Karajan, Herbert von
1962       London Symphony            Monteux, Pierre
1963       Cleveland Orchestra            Szell, George
1965       Vienna Philharmonic            Schmidt-Isserstedt, Hans
1967       Philadelphia Orchestra            Ormandy, Eugene
1968       Czech Philharmonic            Kletzki, Paul
1969       New York Philharmonic            Bernstein, Leonard
1969       Royal Concertgebouw            Jochum, Eugen
1969       Boston Symphony                    Leinsdorf, Erich
1970       Vienna Philharmonic            Böhm, Karl
1972       Chicago Symphony            Solti, George
1973       London Symphony            Giulini, Carl Maria
1974       Munich Philharmonic            Kempe, Rudolf
1974       Hungarian PO                    Ferencsik, János
1975       New York Philharmonic            Boulez, Pierre  (radio broadcast)
1975       Leipzig Gewandhaus            Masur, Kurt
1975       Symphonieorchester des
                    Bayerischen Rundfunks            Kubelik, Rafael
1977       Berlin Philharmonic                    Karajan, Herbert von
1979       Berlin Philharmonic                    Karajan, Herbert von (live in Tokyo)
1979       London Symphony            Jochum, Eugen
1979       Philharmonia                            Sanderling, Kurt
1979       Staatskapelle Dresden            Blomstedt, Herbert
1980       Vienna Philharmonic            Bernstein, Leonard
1980       Vienna Philharmonic            Böhm, Karl
1982       Dresden PO                            Kegel, Herbert
1982       Staatskapelle Berlin            Suitner, Otmar
1982       Cleveland Orchestra            Maazel, Loren
1983       New York Philharmonic            Mehta, Zubin
1985       Cleveland Orchestra            Dohnányi, Christoph von
1986       NDR Symphony                    Wand, Gunter
1987       London Classical Players    Norrington, Roger
1987       Chicago Symphony            Solti, George
1988       Hanover Band                    Goodman, Roy
1988       Northern Sinfonia                    Hickox, Richard
1988       Academy of Ancient Music    Hogwood, Christoopher
1988       Philadelphia Orchestra            Muti, Ricardo
1989       Munich Philharmonic            Celidibache, Sergiu
1989       NHK Symphony                    Wakasugi, Hiroshi
1990       Vienna Symphony                    Inbal, Eliahu
1991       Chamber Orchestra of
                    Europe                                    Harnoncourt, Nikolaus
1991       Royal Liverpool Philharmonic    Mackerras, Charles
1992       Boston Philharmonic            Zander, Benjamin
1992       Orchestra of the 18th
                    Century                                    Brüggen, Frans
1992       Staatskapelle Berlin            Barenboim, Daniel
1992       Royal Concertgebouw            Sawallisch, Wolfgang
1992       Royal Concertgebouw            Haitink, Bernard
1994       Orchestre Revolutionnaire
                    et Romantique                    Gardiner, John
1995       Orchestra di Padova
                     e del Veneto                            Maag, Peter
1997       Staatskapelle Dresden            Sinopoli, Giuseppe
1998       Zurich Tönhalle Orchester    Zinman, David
1999       Orchestre des
                    Champs Elysées                    Herreweghe, Phillippe
2000       Berlin Philharmonic                    Abbado, Claudio
2000       Berliner Staatskapelle            Barenboim, Daniel
2000       Budapest PO                            Saccani, Rico
2002       Stuttgart RSO                    Norrington, Roger
2006       Minnesota Orchestra            Vänskä, Osmo
2006       London Symphony            Haitink, Bernard
2006       Russian National Orchestra    Pletnev, Mikhail
2007       Anima Eterna                            Immerseel, Jos van
2007       Scottish Chamber Orchestra    Mackerras, Charles
2007       Cleveland Orchestra            Welser-Most, Franz
2007       Das Neue Orchester            Spering, Christopher
2007       American Bach Soloists            Thomas, Jeffrey
2009       German Chamber
                     Philharmonic Bremen             Järvi, Paavo
2009       La Chambre Philharmonique     Krivine, Emmanuel
2009       Swedish Chamber Orchestra     Dausgaard, Thomas
2009       Gewandhausorchester             Chailly, Riccardo
2010       Leipzig Gewandhaus             Chailly, Riccardo (TV broadcast)


So anyway, that doesn't count 3 recordings of Liszt's reduction (including the Glenn Gould sing-along version :D ).

IMO, the 1960's were the greatest decade for 9th recordings. Just an observation. :)

8)
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Wakefield

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on November 16, 2012, 04:15:14 PM
Which would that be, Gordo? Certainly I made an exaggeration, since there are recordings I never even heard of. I always try to correct small slip-ups  as I go, though. :)

8)



The one included in the new complete set of Beethoven's symphonies recorded by Brüggen, recently released on the Spanish label Glossa.
"One of the greatest misfortunes of honest people is that they are cowards. They complain, keep quiet, dine and forget."
-- Voltaire

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Gordon Shumway on November 17, 2012, 07:05:13 AM


The one included in the new complete set of Beethoven's symphonies recorded by Brüggen, recently released on the Spanish label Glossa.

Ah, I thought you were referring to the Haydn. No, I don't have this one yet, but it is on my watch list, so when it comes readily and affordably available, it shall be mine. :)

8)
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Wakefield

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on November 17, 2012, 07:08:17 AM
Ah, I thought you were referring to the Haydn. No, I don't have this one yet, but it is on my watch list, so when it comes readily and affordably available, it shall be mine. :)

8)

If you like Brüggen as a flutist, I have posted something about him in the "New Releases" thread.  :)
"One of the greatest misfortunes of honest people is that they are cowards. They complain, keep quiet, dine and forget."
-- Voltaire

mszczuj

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on November 17, 2012, 06:57:14 AM
N/G               Staatskapelle Dresden             Blomstedt, Herbert (on Laserlight. Anyone know the recording date? Not on the packaging)

On the Eterna double LP (together with the 2nd) there is a date of recording 1979/80.

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Gordon Shumway on November 17, 2012, 07:14:49 AM
If you like Brüggen as a flutist, I have posted something about him in the "New Releases" thread.  :)

Yes, actually I do. I'll check that out. Thanks!

8)
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Gurn Blanston

Quote from: mszczuj on November 17, 2012, 07:18:32 AM
On the Eterna double LP (together with the 2nd) there is a date of recording 1979/80.

Aha! Thanks for that, mszczuj! I actually found 2 or 3 web pages that had discographies of the 9th, and that one was never quite resolved. :)

8)
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Gurn Blanston

A first time listen this morning. As I understand it, Peter Maag was loathe to record any Beethoven due to political reservations (I'm sure that phrase isn't strong enough) over the Nazis in general and Furtwängler in particular. In any case, near the end of his life he realized, I think, that it wasn't Beethoven's fault, and indulged himself an opportunity to record the entire symphony cycle. I only have the 9th, it is recorded in a way that is certainly different from Furtwängler (except for being 'live'). I'm well into it now and quite enjoying. Maag has a unique way of phrasing that brings out the meat of the dish, so to speak. I'll be back....




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kishnevi

#468
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on November 17, 2012, 07:20:48 AM
Aha! Thanks for that, mszczuj! I actually found 2 or 3 web pages that had discographies of the 9th, and that one was never quite resolved. :)

8)

Assuming it's the same recording--the Brilliant 100 CD Symphony box gives it as "Lukaskirche Dresden 1980".

(Co-ordinating  mszczuj's LP dates and the dates given on for the Brilliant CD containing the recordings of 2 and 4, it was the Second Symphony that was recorded in 1979.)

Reverend Bong

#469
Just reading through this thread and making casual notes,  I've come up with an empirical list of recommendations, for starting a library! 

These are the recordings that emerge as group favourites, in that they are strongly recommended or mentioned as favourites by more than one person, or very strongly recommended by someone with a large number of recordings.  The starred ones are noticeable from their repeated recommendation here or in other threads.

1940       Concertgebouw                    Mengelberg                   
1942       Berlin Philharmonic              Furtwängler *
1954       Philharmonia                        Furtwängler         
1957       Philharmonia                        Klemperer               
1958       Berlin Philharmonic              Fricsay *         
1962       Berlin Philharmonic              Karajan *
1963       Cleveland Orchestra             Szell               
1965       Vienna Philharmonic             Schmidt-Issersted   
1968       Czech Philharmonic              Kletzki                 
1970       Vienna Philharmonic             Böhm             
1972       Chicago Symphony              Solti         
1985       Cleveland Orchestra             Dohnányi *
1988       Academy of Ancient Music    Hogwood *       
1991       Royal Liverpool Phil               Mackerras     
2000       Berlin Philharmonic               Abbado         
2004       Residentie Orchestra            Van Zweden
2006       Minnesota Orchestra            Vänskä           

This could probably be narrowed down a bit.  Is there any obvious duplication of style and interpretation do you think?

This evening I shall see what the vicarage expedits contain....

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Reverend Bong on November 20, 2012, 07:51:06 AM
Just reading through this thread and making casual notes,  I've come up with an empirical list of recommendations, for starting a library! 

These are the recordings that emerge as group favourites, in that they are strongly recommended or mentioned as favourites by more than one person, or very strongly recommended by someone with a large number of recordings.

1940       Concertgebouw                    Mengelberg                   
1942       Berlin Philharmonic              Furtwängler         
1954       Philharmonia                        Furtwängler         
1957       Philharmonia                        Klemperer               
1958       Berlin Philharmonic              Fricsay               
1962       Berlin Philharmonic              Karajan         
1963       Cleveland Orchestra             Szell               
1965       Vienna Philharmonic             Schmidt-Isserstedt   
1968       Czech Philharmonic              Kletzki                 
1970       Vienna Philharmonic             Böhm             
1972       Chicago Symphony              Solti         
1985       Cleveland Orchestra             Dohnányi   
1988       Academy of Ancient Music    Hogwood         
1991       Royal Liverpool Phil               Mackerras     
2000       Berlin Philharmonic               Abbado         
2004       Residentie Orchestra            Van Zweden
2006       Minnesota Orchestra            Vänskä           

Certainly some nice choices on there. I've got the Van Zweden on my wish list, working its way up. Looks interesting. I would add Gardiner, wouldn't be without it, and Herreweghe too.  And I would start the list with Fricsay, but hey, that's just me.  0:)

8)
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Reverend Bong

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on November 20, 2012, 07:57:43 AM
Certainly some nice choices on there. I've got the Van Zweden on my wish list, working its way up. Looks interesting. I would add Gardiner, wouldn't be without it, and Herreweghe too.  And I would start the list with Fricsay, but hey, that's just me.
I tend to agree with you actually.  The Furtwanglers are a special case.  I actually have the old Mengelberg on a CD that I've never listened to, I'll give it a go but in general I can live without historical mono recordings.

I certainly have no PI recordings.  I'd been thinking about Immerseel's cycle as a Christmas present to myself as I've been enjoying them on Spotify but haven't listened to #9.  Do you feel there is enough of a difference between Hogwood, Gardiner and Herreweghe to make them all essential?

Brian

#472
Hrm, I would definitely rank Gardiner my favorite period 9th, love it as much as Gurn does, but I don't remember being too enthused about Hogwood. Very much agree with the picks of Karajan '62, Szell '63, Dohnanyi '85, and Abbado '00.

I really enjoy the Immerseel cycle a lot, especially my all-time favorite Fifth. Informative book in the package, too.

Drahos has my favorite tenor soloist but really nothing else unusual or interesting. OH OH YOUR LIST it needs Gunter Wand.

[asin]B00005OCH3[/asin]

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Reverend Bong on November 20, 2012, 08:04:42 AM
I tend to agree with you actually.  The Furtwanglers are a special case.  I actually have the old Mengelberg on a CD that I've never listened to, I'll give it a go but in general I can live without historical mono recordings.

I certainly have no PI recordings.  I'd been thinking about Immerseel's cycle as a Christmas present to myself as I've been enjoying them on Spotify but haven't listened to #9.  Do you feel there is enough of a difference between Hogwood, Gardiner and Herreweghe to make them all essential?

They are certainly all different. Hogwood and Herreweghe are at opposite ends of the spectrum, Hogwood is (damn, hard to find an adjective that fits here) rough, but not rough in a negative way if you take my meaning. Of all of the recordings I have heard, this one is probably closest to what I believe the original was. Herreweghe is, instead, smooth. Really lovely, I feel like (other than the more aggressive tempos) that the sound is more like modern instruments although the performance is not. The singing is superb.  Gardiner is in between somewhere. He can kick your ass 3 times before you know you been kicked. Fast, rugged, perfectly played; it is faultless to anyone who doesn't find fault with everything.  So, yeah.

Needless to say, I like performances that span the entire spectrum of possibilities. I never imprinted on any one performance, so I don't have a benchmark or ideal. Now I have so many that I won't ever have a chance to imprint. This can only be a good thing. :)

Quote from: Brian on November 20, 2012, 08:09:48 AM
Hrm, I would definitely rank Gardiner my favorite period 9th, love it as much as Gurn does, but I don't remember being too enthused about Hogwood. Very much agree with the picks of Karajan '62, Szell '63, Dohnanyi '85, and Abbado '00.

I really enjoy the Immerseel cycle a lot, especially my all-time favorite Fifth. Informative book in the package, too.

Drahos has my favorite tenor soloist but really nothing else unusual or interesting. OH OH YOUR LIST it needs Gunter Wand.

[asin]B00005OCH3[/asin]

Yeah, Wand needs to be in there somewhere too. That's a fine one. Also, this one;

1969       Royal Concertgebouw            Jochum, Eugen

Jochum's finest 9th (I have a couple of others too). This is not the disk I have, but it's the same performance;

[asin]B000025KVR[/asin]



Very pleasing.

8)
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San Antone

In today's NYT there is a review of Gardiner leading his Monteverdi Choir and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique in a flame-drawn rendition of the Ninth (Friday); on Saturday he gave a glowing performance of the "Missa Solemnis."

RTRH

Dancing Divertimentian

Quote from: Reverend Bong on November 20, 2012, 07:51:06 AM
2004       Residentie Orchestra            Van Zweden

Ah, someone else who's heard something from Van Zweden's cycle. I'd thought I was the only one. Yes, a fine 9th (and the rest ain't chopped liver either).


Veit Bach-a baker who found his greatest pleasure in a little cittern which he took with him even into the mill and played while the grinding was going on. In this way he had a chance to have the rhythm drilled into him. And this was the beginning of a musical inclination in his descendants. JS Bach

Reverend Bong

Quote from: Brian on November 20, 2012, 08:09:48 AM
OH OH YOUR LIST it needs Gunter Wand.

[asin]B00005OCH3[/asin]
what date was that recorded, I can only find the remastering date of 2001....

image of back cover on Amazon isn't quite sharp enough to read.

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Reverend Bong on November 21, 2012, 02:35:48 AM
what date was that recorded, I can only find the remastering date of 2001....

image of back cover on Amazon isn't quite sharp enough to read.

1986. It's on my list. Well worth having, a traditional Central European approach and sound, very well executed. Reminds me a lot of Kletzki's performance with the Czech's (although 20 years newer).  :)

8)
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Reverend Bong

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on November 21, 2012, 04:19:43 AM
1986. It's on my list. Well worth having, a traditional Central European approach and sound, very well executed. Reminds me a lot of Kletzki's performance with the Czech's (although 20 years newer).

Got it.  Cheers.  So do you think Kletzki could be dropped?  If you had to lose half a dozen of these, in the interest of having a best of the best essentials core collection, which would you drop first?


trung224

#479
If I must drop many performances from your list, this will be Schmidt-Isserstedt's, Dohnanyi's and Wand's performance. They has  good (Schmidt-Isserstedt) to exceptional sound (Dohnanyi, Wand) but all are too uninspired and middle-of-the road interpretation.
   Reverend Bong, what is the Klemperer's performance you have? EMI or Testament?