Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This performance is also available on Deutsche Grammophon in an earlier, mid-price incarnation, but this version is clearly the one to own, since the remastered sound is a definite improvement over previous issues. Herbert von Karajan always did a good job with this symphony, and his performances are quite consistent, even down to the very backward-balance of the chorus. By general consensus, though, this is the best of them. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Ouverture 'Coriolan', Op.62: Ouverture
Symphony No.9 In D Minor: 1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
Symphony No.9 In D Minor: 2. Molto vivace
Symphony No.9 In D Minor: 3. Adagio molto e cantabile
Symphony No.9 In D Minor: 4. Presto
Symphony No.9 In D Minor: Presto - 'O Freunde, nicht diese Tone!' - Allegro assai - (Final Chorus From Schiller's 'Ode To Joy')

Amazon.com

This performance is also available on Deutsche Grammophon in an earlier, mid-price incarnation, but this version is clearly the one to own, since the remastered sound is a definite improvement over previous issues. Herbert von Karajan always did a good job with this symphony, and his performances are quite consistent, even down to the very backward-balance of the chorus. By general consensus, though, this is the best of them. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Terrible overture, okay symphony........2007-07-11

I do not wish to discredit Herbert von Karajan, who is simply one of the most versatile and talented conductors the world has ever seen. His Mahler and Sibelius possess a charm that I just cannot resist, though this does not mean I do not prefer other conductors. However, it must be noted that Karajan himself always felt as if he would never fill Furtwangler's shoes, and he simply does not. Most people criticize Karajan's readings of anything to be shallow and "string-laden," and while some of the allegations are unjust, in this case they are definitely true.

The overture is almost a grotesque caricature of what Furtwangler, Mengelberg, or even David Zinman can do with it. the brass players strain to the extent that they almost squeal, and the Berlin players would definitely not do so unless ordered by the maestro to give the tutti an "oomph!" Fluctuations of dynamics and tempi are grossly exaggerated and clearly not well thought-out. This is certainly one of Karajan's worst outings, and actually it is my experience with this performance a few years back that compelled me to abandon Karajan's Beethoven.

While the 9th symphony fares a bit better, there are nonetheless hallmarks of Karajan's art that may prove to be slightly annoying to some listeners (such as me)
The first movement will surprise you with what seems to be a superficial treatment of Beethoven's score. The opening tremolos are fine. The crashing chords that follow, not so. They are not given the position they require to exhibit a certain degree of inevitability or naturalness. This impression is retained throughout the entire performance, and peaks during the last movement. Compare Karajan's last five minutes with Klemperer, Fricsay, or Furtwangler. The tempi are not merely badly judged - they do not seem to be judged at all!
If I sound harsh it is only because better, greater performances litter the market. Take anything by Wilhelm Furtwangler, Otto Klemperer, Erich Kleiber, Arturo Toscanini, Ferenc Fricsay, Sergiu Celibidache, Rafael Kubelik, Charles Mackerras, David Zinman, and even John Gardiner. True, a recording of this quality does not deserved to be condemned to the ranks of obscure, pathetic performances. It just doesn't have what it takes to be great. Three stars for a performance that deserves neither two nor four.

As Promised.......2007-05-14

I received the CD quickly and in perfect condition. Just what I ordered, as promised.

Don't Listen to The Hype!.......2006-12-10

I listened to the other reviewers and purchased this Ninth as my first version of Beethoven's great symphony. It's something I really regret. There are at least two very irritating flaws in this recording that you should know about:

1) The second movement is played with a ludicrously fast tempo that's sounds obviously unnatural. I played it to friends who never listen to classical music and even they felt that something didn't seem right. You almost get the sense that Karajan didn't like the 2nd movement nearly as much as the others and therefore wanted to skip over it. It's played in maybe 11:00 flat, if that.

2) Karajan truly ruins the fourth movement by completely nullifying the beautiful choral performance. He overpowers the humanity of the piece, drowning out what would be a divine, effulgent chorus in an almost bludgeoning display of orchestral power. You would think that in a long, grandiose symphony with very few choral action until the end that you would want to emphasize or at least preserve the human voices, but Karajan treats them as if they are just a few more violins joining the fray.

3) Lastly, I can't really put my finger on it but something about Karajan's style just seems to lack an underlying soul. The strings sound wonderful and the sound quality is top-notch...and it's still Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, a wonderful piece of music obviously! Yet Karajan's performance lacks the desperate zeal and awe-inspiring outrage of Furtwangler's 1942 recording. Solti's early 70s version of the Ninth may have a weaker 3rd movement than this Karajan recording, but Solti's first and final movements are both better performed. Solti's Ninth has the best choral peformance of any of the Ninth recordings hands down.

I would recommend Solti's early 70's rendition, Furtwangler 1942, or Fricsay before buying this recording. Only after owning these other great recordings would I round out my collection with this version of the Ninth.

Absolutely amazing.......2006-05-30

This is a great interpretation of the piece (which is admittedly my favorite piece of all). The tempi are faster than other recordings, but the orchestra never really lags or slows down. The level of musicianship throughout are exactly what you'd expect from one of the world's leading orchestras.

The truely stunning thing about this recording is the solo quartet. Now I have many recordings of this symphony, with many different soloists (Domingo included), but this is the best. The solo tenor here (Waldemar Kmentt) is truely brilliant. His voice is loud, booming, and full of life. The same can be said about the whole group. The group dynamic in general is something special, though I wish the alto would show off her tremendous voice more.

This is HIGHLY recommended.

If One Must..........2006-05-13

Knowing that this reviewer's view of this internationally popular favorite of every concertgoer is that of a curmudgeon, this recording is as acceptable as any of the ones available. Herbert von Karajan is at the helm of the trusty Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Singverein, and a cast of soloists that are the envy of any conductor - Gundula Janowitz, Hilde Rossel-Majdan, Waldemar Kmentt and Walter Berry, stalwarts all and obviously veteran performers of this regularly programmed piece. The interpretation is brisk and lively and yet lingers over the inner two movements that gives some solace between the sandwich ends of the first and fourth movements. It is a fine recording.

For this listener this is Beethoven's least impressive symphony. While there are moments in the 'Adagio molto e cantabile' that justify the Elysium reference in the final movement, and yes, there are interesting inner fugues and some lovely solo lines for paired celli and double basses, the popularity of the piece seems to be the much recorded last movement 'An die Freude'. It is big, loud, long, and uses massive forces and it does gratefully terminate a 70 minute piece. Heresy? Yes, for most listeners these words are scandalous. But just getting trough the first movement's wandering ideas and then waiting for the climax can be wearing. Does anyone else agree? Probably not. But if you must your own #9, this recording is as fine as they come. Grady Harp, May 06

Complete Beethoven Edition--Sampler / Kempff

Average customer rating:

Let this be the doorway to heaven
Wonderful sampler
Wonderful sampler

Complete Beethoven Edition--Sampler / Kempff

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 2: Concertos
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 4: Fidelio/Leonore
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 7: Violin Sonatas
Complete Beethoven Edition Vol. 6 - Piano Works / Demus, Alder, Gilels, Mustonen, Kempff, Barenboim
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 11: Early String Quartets

ASIN: B000001GZO
Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

Symphonie No.5: 1. Allegro con brio
Romance Cantabile
'Tarpeja': Triumph March
'Leonore': Prisoners' Chorus
Sonata 'Pathque,' Op.13: 2. Adagio cantabile
7 Ller
Frs-Sonate, Op.24: 2. Adagio molto espressivo
Cello-Sonata A-Dur, Op.69: 2. Scherzo. Allegro molto
Piano Trio In E Flat Major, Op. 70, No. 2: 3. Allegretto ma non troppo
Serenade Op.8: 2. Menuetto. Allegretto
String Quartet After The Piano Sonata: 3. Rondo. Allegro
Quartetto Serioso, Op.95: 4. Larghetto espressivo - Allegretto agitato
Streichquartett, Op.135: 2. Vivace
Septett, Op.20: 3. Tempo di Menuetto
'Yorck' March
Ziche Liebe
Music, Love And Wine
Chor Auf Die Verbn F
Der Glorreiche Augenblick

Customer Reviews:

Let this be the doorway to heaven.......2004-10-11

A few years ago I heard this sampler. From off that day I've been wanting to have this collection. I never brought anything of Beethoven since I always thought, one day Im going to get the entire set of music, so by now I am about halfway the collection. I have 10 volumes and I can tell you that it absolutely rocks. I dont know any other composer making such fantastic music. Not to mention the diversity, the quality and the performances, which are all top notch. Although I think no-one had expected otherwise from DG.

Like I said let this sampler be the doorway to heavenly music. You soon will find out that there is no beter composer than Ludwich From Beethoven.

Wonderful sampler.......2000-10-22

This sampler of the Complete Beethoven Edition is a steal. Over 70 minutes of music, a wide variety of Beethoven's work (not just highlights of his better known works). It is packaged with a beautifully illustrated booklet containing performance info, information about the more complete sets in this collection, and Beethoven's life (in three languages). The recording quality varies, with session dates on the sampler ranging from 1963 to present, but everything (though not all definitive performances) is done quite well. This would be a great introduction to the world of Beethoven, or super to carry around in the car.

Wonderful sampler.......2000-10-22

Music Review: