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Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Ludwig van Beethoven, Günter Wand, NDR Orchestra
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (5) - Disc #1


     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ludwig van Beethoven, Günter Wand, NDR Orchestra, NDR Symphony Orchestra (Hamburg), Edith Wiens, Keith Lewis
Title: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Release Date: 10/23/2001
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 743216800520
 

CD Reviews

Reference
Prescott Cunningham Moore | 03/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has been over two decades now since Gunter Wand and his Hamburg band recorded the complete symphonies of Beethoven. When his set, particularly this Ninth, entered the market, it was already a glutted field, with fantastic cycles from Szell, Karajan, Toscanini, and Bohm to name a few. However, it was immediately recognized as an important addition to the Beethoven discography. But since then, not only have we seen important cycles from Bloomstedt, Abaddo, and Rattle, but the Johnathan Del Mar editions of the symphonies were released and subsequently recorded to acclaim by Zinman, Vanska, van Immerseel, and Jarvi. Indeed, the Vanska and Jarvi cycles were particularly note-worthy because both conductors showed how there was still something new to say in this music. So, in light of all this "new" Beethoven, does Wand's Ninth still stand as a reference edition or is it beginning to show its age?



I am happy to report that Wand's Ninth is just a fresh, exciting, and interpretively exciting as it was twenty years ago. And while our ears have certainly been tempered by the period and historically-informed movement, which might account for the heaviness of Wand's account, the interpretive merits of this performance are many. For one, Wand adopts a moderate tempo for the opening allegro, but imbues the music with unheard-of energy, not through unnecessary rubatto or indulgent excessiveness, but by incisive playing, crisp articulation, and a keen understanding of sonata form. The development is one of the most trilling on disc, but the beginning of the recapitulation is truly special, showing how the sheer force and muscularity of Wand's reading creates a much for satisfying climax than those of conductors who have the brass down-out the strings. Wand's Scherzo will certainly sound big to modern ears, especially with the timpanist who does not always keep tempo. Still, the wind playing is about as spectacular as you'll find on disc, certainly as colorful as the above listed reference editions, and more idiomatic than either Zinman or Vanska. The always problematic trio seems perfectly placed and ebbs magically out of the music of the Scherzo proper. The tempo in the adagio, to me, is ideal, at sixteen minutes, which allows Wand and his players to shape the music without letting tension sag.



The finale is equally fine, a satisfyingly large performance. The opening orchestral recititive and joy theme is really wonderful, while the tutti outburst before the entrance of the baritone is truly terrifying. The huge climax on Gott is stunning, but Wand wisely has the Turkish march start immediately at a good clip, not only maintaining tension but setting the pace for the great double fugue. The closing passages and coda bring the symphony to a thrilling, and hair-raising conclusion. The soloists are some of the finer on disc, not simply as individuals but because their ensemble work is sensitive and quite well balanced against the mass of singers and players.



It is no surprise that this "Big Band" Beethoven is still viable in today's market. Wand's interpretations are intelligent, well-versed, and sensitive to the great Viennese tradition. His understanding of sonata form is unparalleled and his ability to work within this structure is stunning. There are numerous Ninths in the catalogue, but this Ninth demands consideration. And at this budget price, no lover of this music can be without this performance. Reference."
Simply has more power than any other version out there
Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 12/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gunter Wand's rendition of Beethoven's ninth symphony is something that everyone (who likes classical music) should own. Herbert von Karajan's version doesn't even come close to the sheer beauty and magnitude of all four movements in this one hour piece. The vocal quartet do a fine job of expressing Beethoven's true feelings about brotherhood, and the choir doesn't miss a step, though some vocal parts in the last movement may not be well-polished. The tempi perfectly captures the spirit of Viennese Classicism, and the finale is the strongest (and loudest) I've ever heard. It is certainly a must."
Would Make a Fine First Ninth
Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 03/27/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)

"There's absolutely no reason to pay full price for a first-rate recording of Beethoven's Ninth when there's this very fine budget offering!



The venerable conductor of Hamburg's orchestra, the now deceased Günter Wand, takes as straightforward an approach as one can imagine without ever slipping into overdrive. This performance from 1986 is so reminiscent of George Szell's from 1961 in both tempo and flavor that this later recording becomes self-recommending for a novice by sheer virtue of its superior digital sound.



There's nothing terribly imaginative nor heaven-storming here, just fine orchestral and choral execution with the very servicable soloists blended nicely into the soundstage. The slow adagio third movement goes by in a fairly rapid sixteen minutes, so the unique rapturous quality found in the recordings of Furtwängler and Fricsay is missed. (To be truthful, most novices would probably just as soon get the slow movement over with faster anyway!)



No, it won't supplant the likes of Böhm, Schmidt-Isserstedt, Karajan, Leibowitz, and now Fricsay among my favorite Ninths; it's simply too conventionally conceived and executed. The forces at work, while hardly sounding provincial, are no match for the likes of Berlin and Vienna; but if anyone wants this great work in their collection for the price of a song...."