Search - Beethoven :: Symphony No. 9

Stiff but well played and sung

HB | Fort Mill, SC | 02/08/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Beethoven's 9th can be played so many different ways. I cannot imagine any serious classical CD collector having only one version of this great masterpiece. However, since this version was deleted long ago, I would not make any real effort to locate it or buy one of the three privately sold copies offered here. The conductor here was highly respected in his time and for good reason. He was a fine musician. His performance here is simply too tight. There is passion but little joy. The bass soloist and the ladies are fine but the tenor sounds extremely weak. The famous orchestra from Leipzig plays extremely well. If you are looking for a budget version for less than 5 bucks, try the one on Delta, sometimes known as Laserlight."