Recordings that you enjoy: Beethoven Symphony #9

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

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Gurn Blanston

Well, I have reached a momentous point in my collection; I have 99 versions (counting a couple on DVD and the Liszt transcription). I want #100 to be something special, not an historic thing in bad sound, but something since the stereo era began anyway. So I am soliciting suggestions. Here is where I stand right now;

Number   Year Performed   Orchestra   Conductor
1   1958   Berlin Philharmonic   Cluytens, André
2   1961   Chicago Symphony   Reiner, Fritz
3   1973   London Symphony   Giulini, Carl Maria
4   1988   Northern Sinfonia   Hickox, Richard
5   2007   Ds Neue Orchester   Spering, Christopher
6   1999   Orchestre des Champs Elysées   Herreweghe, Phillippe
7   1977   Berlin Philharmonic   Karajan, Herbert von
8   1970   Vienna Philharmonic   Böhm, Karl
9   1992   Staatskapelle Berlin   Barenboim, Daniel
10   1955   Vienna Philharmonic   Walter, Bruno
11   1974   Hungarian PO   Ferencsik, János
12   1982   Dresden PO   Kegel, Herbert
13   1980   Vienna Philharmonic   Böhm, Karl
14   2006   London Symphony   Haitink, Bernard
15   1988   Academy of Ancient Music   Hogwood, Christoopher
16   1988   Hanover Band   Goodman, Roy
17   1989   NHK Symphony   Wakasugi, Hiroshi
18   1954   Philharmonia   Furtwängler, Wilhelm
19   1975   Leipzig Gewandhaus   Masur, Kurt
20   1979   Staatskapelle Dresden   Blomstedt, Herbert
21   1968   Czech Philharmonic   Kletzki, Paul
22   1952   NBC Symphony   Toscanini, Arturo
23   1963   Cleveland Orchestra   Szell, George
24   1935   Vienna Philharmonic   Weingartner, Felix
25   1929   Berlin State Opera Orchestra   Fried, Oscar
26   1986   NDR Symphony   Wand, Gunter
27   1969   Royal Concertgebouw   Jochum, Eugen
28   1972   Chicago Symphony   Solti, George
29   1985   Cleveland Orchestra   Dohnányi, Christoph von
30   1983   New York Philharmonic   Mehta, Zubin
31   1994   Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique   Gardiner, John
32   1980   Vienna Philharmonic   Bernstein, Leonard
33   1987   Chicago Symphony   Solti, George
34   1955   Philharmonia   Karajan, Herbert von
35   1991   Chamber Orchestra of Europe   Harnoncourt, Nikolaus
36   1958   Berlin Philharmonic   Fricsay, Ferenc
37   1960   Leipzig Gewandhaus   Konwitschny, Franz
38   2009   La Chambre Philharmonique   Krivine, Emmanuel
39   1987   London Classical Players   Norrington, Roger
40   1969   New York Philharmonic   Bernstein, Leonard
41   1998   Zurich Tönhalle Orchester   Zinman, David
42   1962   Berlin Philharmonic   Karajan, Herbert von (from set of 9 symphonies)
42   1962   Berlin Philharmonic   Karajan, Herbert von (remastered version)
43   1974   Munich Philharmonic   Kempe, Rudolf
44   1952   Bavarian RSO   Jochum, Eugen
45   1979   London Symphony   Jochum, Eugen
46   2007   American Bach Soloists   Thomas, Jeffrey
47   1959   Orchestre Suisse-Romande   Ansermet, Ernest
48   1992   Orchestra of the 18th Century   Brüggen, Frans
49   2007   Anima Eterna   Immerseel, Jos van
50   2000   Berlin Philharmonic   Abbado, Claudio (Berlin studio)
51   2000   Berliner Staatskapelle   Barenboim, Daniel
52   1956   Royal Philharmonic   Beecham, Thomas
53   1989   Munich Philharmonic   Celidibache, Sergiu
54   1975   New York Philharmonic   Boulez, Pierre (Live radio broadcast 1975)
55   1953   Vienna Philharmonic   Furtwängler, Wilhelm
56   1942   Berlin Philharmonic   Furtwängler, Wilhelm
57   1992   Royal Concertgebouw   Haitink, Bernard
58   2009   German Chamber Philharmonic Bremen   Järvi, Paavo
59   1979   Berlin Philharmonic   Karajan, Herbert von  (Live in Tokyo)
60   1956   Royal Concertgebouw   Klemperer, Otto
61   1957   Philharmonia   Klemperer, Otto
62   1991   Royal Liverpool Philharmonic   Mackerras, Charles
63   2007   Scottish Chamber Orchestra   Mackerras, Charles
64   1988   Philadelphia Orchestra   Muti, Ricardo
65   2002   Stuttgart RSO   Norrington, Roger
66   1967   Philadelphia Orchestra   Ormandy, Eugene
67   2006   Russian National Orchestra   Pletnev, Mikhail
68   2000   Budapest PO   Saccani, Rico
69   1965   Vienna Philharmonic   Schmidt-Isserstedt, Hans
70   1997   Staatskapelle Dresden   Sinopoli, Giuseppe
71   2006   Minnesota Orchestra   Vänskä, Osmo
72   1948   New York Philharmonic   Walter, Bruno (4th mvmt 1953)
73   2007   Cleveland Orchestra   Welser-Most, Franz
74   1992   Boston Philharmonic   Zander, Benjamin
75   1962   London Symphony   Monteux, Pierre
76   2010   Leipzig Gewandhaus   Chailly, Riccardo (Live broadcast version)
77   1969   Boston Symphony   Leinsdorf, Erich
78   1954   National Orchestra   Schuricht, Carl
79   1958   Boston SO   Munch, Charles
80   1990   Vienna Symphony   Inbal, Eliahu (New Year's Eve concert)
81   1992   Royal Concertgebouw   Sawallisch, Wolfgang
82   1982   Staatskapelle Berlin   Suitner, Otmar
83   1979   Philharmonia   Sanderling, Kurt
84   1975   Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks   Kubelik, Rafael
85   2009   Swedish Chamber Orchestra   Dausgaard, Thomas
86   1961   Royal Philharmonic   Leibowitz, Rene
87   1953   Vienna State Opera Orchestra   Scherchen, Hermann
88   1982   Cleveland Orchestra   Maazel, Loren
89   2009   Gewandhausorchester   Chailly, Riccardo (Studio version)
90   1995   Orcestra di Padua e del Veneto   Maag, Peter
91   1992   London PO   Tennstedt, Klaus
92   2007   Orchester Bayerischen Rundfunks    Jansons, Mariss
93   2002   Vienna Philharmonic   Rattle, Simon
94   1987   Vienna Philharmonic   Abbado, Claudio
95   1996   Berlin Philharmonic   Abbado, Claudio (Salzburg)
96   2006   Berlin Philharmonic   Abbado, Claudio (DVD - Live in Rome)
97   1996   Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique   Gardiner, John (on DVD Live from Carnegie Hall)
98   2006   Philharmonia Baroque   McGegan, Nicholas
99   1983   Katsaris, Cyprien   n/a (Liszt Piano transcription)
100   ?? ?? ?? ??

Please help me pick out something special. I know there are others out there that I have missed. Most of them are true antiques, but somewhere there is a special, more modern recording that I haven't run across yet. Help me find it!  :)

8)
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Gurn Blanston

Quote from: sanantonio on March 23, 2013, 05:34:26 PM
I don't think you have this, so I would suggest Michael Gielen.  I am not sure if there is a single 9th but the complete set is well worthwhile.

[asin]B007N0SX4A[/asin]

No, you're right. Don't have anything else by him either, so that would be a good place to start. Thanks. :)

Certainly open for other suggestions too!

8)
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Wakefield

As you enjoy to watch musicians and singers performing, maybe a second Paavo Järvi recording wouldn't be a bad idea (even you get some PI):



http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-1770-1827-Das-Beethoven-Projekt-Symphonien-Dokumentation/hnum/1639534

EUR 19.99, a very good price for 4 DVDs, even plus the high shipping rates from JPC to USA.  :)
"One of the greatest misfortunes of honest people is that they are cowards. They complain, keep quiet, dine and forget."
-- Voltaire

kishnevi

This is a sort of 'what do you get the man who has everything" problem.  Almost every performance I thought of--turns out you have.

You need something completely obscure or completely off the wall, neither of which I can help you with.  So I'll suggest the only thing I can think of:  Mahler's revision of Beethoven's original.  It's been recorded a couple of time, but I don't have any of them, so I can't point out one that's better than another.

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Gordon Shumway on March 23, 2013, 06:23:31 PM
As you enjoy to watch musicians and singers performing, maybe a second Paavo Järvi recording wouldn't be a bad idea (even you get some PI):



http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Ludwig-van-Beethoven-1770-1827-Das-Beethoven-Projekt-Symphonien-Dokumentation/hnum/1639534

EUR 19.99, a very good price for 4 DVDs, even plus the high shipping rates from JPC to USA.  :)

Ooooh.... :)  That looks quite interesting indeed!  I enjoyed the CD version for sure. And as you note, I am a musical voyeur. :)

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Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on March 23, 2013, 06:46:49 PM
This is a sort of 'what do you get the man who has everything" problem.  Almost every performance I thought of--turns out you have.

You need something completely obscure or completely off the wall, neither of which I can help you with.  So I'll suggest the only thing I can think of:  Mahler's revision of Beethoven's original.  It's been recorded a couple of time, but I don't have any of them, so I can't point out one that's better than another.

Well, that's MY problem, only in the first person!

I have a VHS tape that I recorded off PBS several years ago of the Detroit Symphony / Neeme Jarvi playing Mahler's adaptation. I have to admit, I struggled with it. :-\  Interesting thought though. :)

8)
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Opus106

Cobra's version is free, so I suppose that that doesn't count.

A fancy-bound version of the score!

A DVD of Copying Beethoven

Can you afford to commission a performance? :-\

Regards,
Navneeth

mszczuj

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on March 23, 2013, 05:25:38 PM
1   1958   Berlin Philharmonic   Cluytens, André
(...)
99   1983   Katsaris, Cyprien   n/a (Liszt Piano transcription)
100   ?? ?? ?? ??

But I can't find the new Brüggen on your list...

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: mszczuj on March 24, 2013, 06:48:48 AM
But I can't find the new Brüggen on your list...

True enough, don't have that one yet. I haven't heard anyone raving about it, nothing more than a notice that it exists. I'll have it though. :)

8)
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Gurn Blanston

Well, new this AM, just got yesterday. It has been a long time since I got a new period instruments recording of the 9th;



I have this group doing some Haydn too, and quite nicely. I am well into the adagio right now and so far this is quite pleasing. The recording quality (it's their own label, Philharmonia Baroque (PB)) is really quite fine, the nice little instrumental effects that are frequently lobbed off into the background noise are here present, adding nicely to the enjoyment level. McGegan judges the tempos quite nicely to my taste and the instruments themselves are well played and have that wonderful tone that I seek out (though thousands don't, it seems).

Waiting now for the last movement, hope the singers are up to par! :)

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Opus106

Hey, Gurn, I notice that Mackerras' version with the OAE (Signum) is missing from the list.

[asin]B005NZ63VW[/asin]
Regards,
Navneeth

Wakefield

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on March 24, 2013, 08:01:43 AM
True enough, don't have that one yet. I haven't heard anyone raving about it, nothing more than a notice that it exists. I'll have it though. :)

8)

Maybe a solution would be a poll. A GMG imaginary 100th version, with conductor, orchestra, soloists and chorus choosen among options provided ad libitum by you (you know a subtle way to moderate those wild MI fans).  ;)  8)
"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: Opus106 on March 24, 2013, 08:13:46 AM
Hey, Gurn, I notice that Mackerras' version with the OAE (Signum) is missing from the list.

[asin]B005NZ63VW[/asin]

Hah! Now we're talkin'. I wasn't even aware of the existence of this disk.   Cool.  It shall be mine. I am very partial to Mackerras, you know. :)

Merci beaucoup.

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Opus106

Regards,
Navneeth

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Gordon Shumway on March 24, 2013, 08:16:28 AM
Maybe a solution would be a poll. A GMG imaginary 100th version, with conductor, orchestra, soloists and chorus chosen among options provided ad libitum by you (you know a subtle way to moderate those wild MI fans).  ;)  8)

Well, now that's an interesting idea. Everyone has favorite singers, conductors, orchestras etc., maybe we should construct an ideal version. Then get Navneeth to fund a recording.... :D

8)
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Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Opus106 on March 24, 2013, 08:19:58 AM
Nah, you were just busy with Haydn, is all. ;)

Ah yes, the old 'can't get it now then forget about it later' syndrome strikes again!  Well, no worries now, I've dropped the hammer on it. Should be here by next week.   :)

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Opus106

w00t!

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on March 24, 2013, 08:22:30 AM
Then get Navneeth to fund a recording.... :D

8)

...and *phew!*


Let us know when it arrives, so that we can have a celebratory worldwide playing of the 9th! ;D
Regards,
Navneeth

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Opus106 on March 24, 2013, 08:29:30 AM
w00t!

...and *phew!*


Let us know when it arrives, so that we can have a celebratory worldwide playing of the 9th! ;D

:D  Will do. That was good, I got you wooting.  A coup!  ;)

Well, I just finished up the final movement. Sad to say, it doesn't match the first three in execution or recording quality. The bass is more a baritone, or really, a low tenor! (Is there something in between?). And the recording balance among the soloists clearly favors the soprano, which IMO it shouldn't favor any one of them. The best recordings don't.  And finally a few bizarreries, which I must leave it to the listener to attempt to decipher. None of this makes it unlistenable by any means, but it does make for an adventurous time. FWIW, there are extended sections where the entire is as good as it gets. Just the occasional oddment to cause a headscratch. :)

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kishnevi

Quote from: Gurn Blanston on March 24, 2013, 08:01:43 AM
True enough, don't have that one yet. I haven't heard anyone raving about it, nothing more than a notice that it exists. I'll have it though. :)

8)

I'm the one who thought the baritone and tenor soloists were a serious flaw in that new Bruggen.  That's why I didn't suggest it yesterday. 

(Although the first three movements are excellent, and the first eight symphonies in the set are generally first rate--it's worth getting the set,  so  long as you know there's a serious stumble at the very end.)

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on March 24, 2013, 07:01:56 PM
I'm the one who thought the baritone and tenor soloists were a serious flaw in that new Bruggen.  That's why I didn't suggest it yesterday. 

(Although the first three movements are excellent, and the first eight symphonies in the set are generally first rate--it's worth getting the set,  so  long as you know there's a serious stumble at the very end.)

I couldn't remember where I read that, only that I did. I don't know, maybe the old Brüggen is good enough for me.... :-\

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