Your favorite recordings of Beethoven's 9th symphony

[AdamR]

Well, the responses have been a bit discouraging, but I've also found it helpful to know that I'm not alone in my thinking!

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it.

[Renfield]

Other great performances are: Furtwängler's '42, Kletzki and Jochum with the Concertgebouworkest. Klemperer's '57 on Testament is much better than his EMI but not in the top league IMO. I'm still hoping (and waiting) for a top period performance.

You know, I haven't heard the Jochum/Concertgebouw 9th, yet...

I've listened to all of the other eight bar the 6th so far, but somehow, I seem to be leaving the 9th for last.


(And Kletzki's 9th is a little too opulent for my taste, compared to other performances in the cycle. Still exceptional, though.)

[jlaurson]

Some specific questions:
1. What makes this reading classic (or not so much) in your mind?
2. Any suggestions for digging into Beethoven's 9th?
3. Any suggestions for how I can understand and enjoy Furtwangler's performance here better?

1.) Great question. Probably circumstance aided by a good marketing department. Critical appreciation can then sometimes work like a snow-ball effect.

2.) This might help you: Quick overview of recordings of Beethoven's 9th with recommendations (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

3.) Listen to the work a lot, listen to the interpretation a lot, read a lot of the praise. (Not because it will reveal the greatness to you... more to convince you of it.  )

When it comes to recordings, there must be two to three hundred different versions available. Two dozen versions of Furtwängler and Karajan each are available on ArkivMusic alone, though many are simply different editions of the same performance. The genesis of the recordings of the Ninth Symphony doesn't start with Furtwängler (chronologically it starts with Oscar Fried, later with Felix Weingartner and Arturo Toscanini), but he seems the epicenter whenever discussion of "great Ninths" comes up. Enthusiasts must disregard issues of sound and fidelity to listen through (sometimes excruciating) noise to dissect the genius that Furtwängler injected into his interpretations. Heated discussions can erupt over the various merits of post-war ('54 Lucerne or '51 Bayreuth?) vs. war-performances (March 22nd or April 19th 1942?). Relaxed geniality in the former but greater intensity in the latter, are the claims. The Furtwängler-Society website gives plenty information about his available recordings, but it's quite confusing.

Probably the most famous recording is the one from July 29th 1951 in Bayreuth. Recorded by EMI and re-issued numerous times. Every detail has been scrutinized here, the last drop of greatness wrung out, adding to the posthumous reputation of Furtwängler. It won't hurt his, but maybe some of the critics' reputation, that it now turns out to have been made partly with rehearsal segments and 'improved' on the soundboard (Henry Fogel, in Fanfare, notices an added crescendo in the fourth movement). It came out when Bavarian Radio tapes were found and compared to the well known EMI recording. A recording based on these tapes – "pure Furtwängler", if you will – is now available through the Furtwängler Society of America, though I suspect it is identical with the new Archipel recording 0401.

I try to appreciate something in all of these recordings and, unlike with the Toscanini interpretations, I can occasionally glean their greatness. But before I or you get caught in the crossfire of the Lucerne, Bayreuth, Salzburg (October 31st, '51), Vienna (May 30th, '53) or Berlin factions, I recommend leaving the issue well behind and getting a modern recording of which there are plenty great ones, none of which the ears have to strain to get the musical essence.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I'm still hoping (and waiting) for a top period performance [9th sym].

Q, if HIP scholarship allied with modern instruments appeals to you you might find the 9th from van Zweden's cycle worth an audition. Here's a small writeup of mine cut-and-pasted from awhile back:

----------------------

If I may steal a moment from Dm to slip in a euphoric wow!!!!! for the sixth and ninth symphonies from this Jaap Van Zweden Beethoven symphony cycle on Philips....

Van Zweden's Beethoven is HIP influenced as far as overall approach though performed on modern instruments. Tempos are fresh, lively, and buoyant, though minus anything approaching the furious. Textures are crystal clear and warm, with sweeping gestures full of felicities giving much delight. 

This is 'lights spectacular' Beethoven with every phrase aglow and every bar crackling. So good, in fact, it's as if the music were freshly minted.

[Renfield]

Myself, I'd recommend Karajan 1963 or 1976, Klemperer 1957 (on Testament), and Furtwängler 1954 (or 1942, for a focus on sheer intensity) as top choices, with Vänskä 2006 being the best modern (i.e. recent) one I've heard so far.

A note I should've added: "top choices in their respective categories" (see the rest of my post). I wouldn't rank the Karajan(s) on the same level across the board as the Furtwängler or the Klemperer, nor these latter two on the same level with each other.

[For the sake of clarification.]

[Herman]

And still, and still, I'd like to suggest that if LvB9 doesn't quite click with you, that is entirely possible and nothing to see a doctor about.

Three, four, five and seven are symphonies that are formally much more enjoyable.

[Valentino]

Seriously, the tempo in the Players' version seems perfect to me. Try it: cue up the march, grab one of your rifles, shoulder it, and start marching around the room. You'll see it's a perfect marching pace....same tempo as a Jody call.

What is the metronome mark then?

[George]

 I'm not ever particularly fond of Karajan's take on the 9th.  After many years of listening, I wouldn't put ANY of them in my personal top ten.  

Can you list your top ten? 

[jwinter]

Can you list your top ten [Beethoven 9ths]? 

Aw crap, now you've gone and done it...

In no particular order, and off the top of my head (which means I'm forgetting somebody):

Bohm WP (digital) (desert island choice for me)
Furtwangler Lucerne 1954 (if I could sneak a 2nd onto the island)
Furtwangler BPO 1942
Leinsdorf (yes I know, but it's great, and the Schoenberg coupling works)
Barenboim
Wand NDR
Szell
Klemperer (live Testament)
Bernstein (Berlin Wall, for the sense of occasion)
Umm... Carlos Kleiber.... what, he didn't record it?  Crap.  OK, maybe somebody HIP like Gardiner, but then I can't stand reduced forces in the 9th.... grr... OK, OK, I'll take Karajan 77 because I'm at work & I'm drawing a blank... )

[George]

Thanks, J! I am happy to say I own 6 of them! 

[LouisLee]

Can you list your top ten? 

Let me list my Beethoven sym no.9 top 5:

1.Mengelberg 1940 Live

2.Mengelberg 1938 Live & Weingartner / VPO 1935

3.Friscay / BPO 1958

4.Stokowski / LSO 1967 Live

5.Abendroth 1953

[Bogey]

And for my favorite 9th, which rarely appears on most folks' radar:

Dohnányi/Cleveland

Always loved this one.  Fairly straight forward, powerful where you want it to be, and the Cleveland Chorus just lights it up.  However, more than any other recording that I have heard or own of the 9th, this tandem just does not sound like it is "trying too hard", which other recordings can suffer from.

After this, Furtwängler '42.

I look to the 80's recordings for my favorite HvK 1 and 2.

[George]

Let me list my Beethoven sym no.9 top 5:

1.Mengelberg 1940 Live

2.Mengelberg 1938 Live & Weingartner / VPO 1935

3.Friscay / BPO 1958

4.Stokowski / LSO 1967 Live

5.Abendroth 1953

Thanks Louis, or can I call you L.L.? 

The Fricsay is the one on DG with that red cover, very similar to the Karajan/BPO 1963 9th, no?

[jwinter]

Let me list my Beethoven sym no.9 top 5:

1.Mengelberg 1940 Live

2.Mengelberg 1938 Live & Weingartner / VPO 1935

3.Friscay / BPO 1958

4.Stokowski / LSO 1967 Live

5.Abendroth 1953

Fascinating list!  I have Stokowski and Weingartner, and one of the Mengelbergs I think.  I know I've heard the Stokowski (though it's been a long time), but I honestly don't recall listening to the others (I was acquiring quite a bit of Beethoven at one point, and I don't think my listening ever quite caught up to the pile).  I will definitely give them a spin some time soon!

I have seen many folks recommend the Fricasy, I may have to pick that up...

[jlaurson]

Thanks Louis, or can I call you L.L.? 

The Fricsay is the one on DG with that red cover, very similar to the Karajan/BPO 1963 9th, no?

Almost identical, in the DG Originals re-issue. First stereo LvB 9th, and still one of the hottest recordings. Ahhhh, what a musical man.

[LouisLee]

Thanks Louis, or can I call you L.L.? 

The Fricsay is the one on DG with that red cover, very similar to the Karajan/BPO 1963 9th, no?

L.L. good name!!! 

Yes, DG version. Fricsay's speed is slower but more powerful than Karajan's.

[Coopmv]

Here are my top two favorites.  I am having a hard time naming the third at this moment ...

1.  Karajan BPO  1963
2.  Bernstein VPO   1980

[Bogey]

What is the recording date on the Bernstein, Stuart?

[Coopmv]

What is the recording date on the Bernstein, Stuart?

I believe it is 1980.  I have the 1970 Bernstein's Beethoven 9th with the VPO on DVD. 

[George]

L.L. good name!!! 

Yes, DG version. Fricsay's speed is slower but more powerful than Karajan's.

LL it is!  

I have the Fricsay you recommend, I do enjoy it.

I plan to get that Mengelberg 1940 one you recommend. Is the rest of the 1940 set by the conductor at or near the same level as his 9th?