Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Claudio Abbado, Jane Eaglen :: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 / Eaglen, Meier, Heppner, Terfel; Abbado

Exceptional Performance of the 9th Symphony

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 12/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This superb performance is the first major orchestral recording with the new Jonathan Del Mar-edited score, without relying too much on excessively fast tempi. The sound quality wrought by Sony's engineers is quite good, though not nearly as crisp as Teldec's and Deutsche Grammophone's for their Barenboim and new Abbado Beethoven symphony cycles, respectively. Yet despite this major shortcoming, Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic offer a stellar version of the 9th Symphony that is as electrifying as the Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic 1977 version, which many regard as the definitive recording of this symphony."

A superlative--even the definitive--version of the 9th

R. Hutchinson | 12/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This version of the 9th is astonishingly good, eliciting the very best performances from both orchestra and singers. Music of this sublime inspiration and energy -- like many other works of Beethoven -- requires no ornamentation. And yet, too often Beethoven falls prey to conductors who overplay his music, marring and misrepresenting it with excess -- in tempo, intensity and overall interpretation. This recording is a decidedly welcome change, refreshingly clean and crisp. And, the singing is magnificent --Heppner and Terfel in particular. There is simply no better version of this work."

Perhaps the best ninth in the last 5-10 years

Greg Hales | Vacaville, Ca USA | 11/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The singers in the last movement are excellent. The overal sound is very good. Abbado take's fairly fast but not Hogwood speed demon tempos. The Berlin Philharmonic is on top form with the woodwinds and horns beautifully caught. The venue in Salzburg is not often used, but Sony seems to have done a good job on the recording. Abbado has quicker tempos then on his VPO recording from the 80's. However it works and this recording may be the best we have had for some years."