Search - Donald Gramm, Ludwig van Beethoven, Fritz Reiner :: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

Among the elite of Beethoven Ninths

Jeffrey Lee | Asheville area, NC USA | 01/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, I will say that this Beethoven Ninth caught me by surprise. Years ago, I had listened only to a small portion of it on lp. Recently, I turned to selected excerpts and then was drawn excitedly to the complete cd. For me, this performance by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony contains in great measure those qualities that constitute the essence of this remarkable masterpiece--power, spirituality, mystery, beauty and excitement. A welcome characteristic of the recording is that, at times, it has a degree of presence and spontaneity that makes one feel this event was recorded live. Of course, this is (was) a Mohr/Layton production. The playing of the Chicago Symphony is superb throughout as is the singing of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, which frequently conveys majesty, beauty and strength. The soloists are fine, though tenor John McCollum doesn't quite project the character of Waldemar Kmentt in Karajan's 1962 version.



When I listened the first time to the beginning movement in its entirety, I was somewhat puzzled by Reiner's occasional tendency to slow the tempo in certain places in a way that seemed to have created some unevenness. On aesthetic grounds, this might be the only questionable point I raise about his interpretation. Though I view this first movement as a bit of a mixed bag, on balance it is mostly pretty good, with the opening sounding especially atmospheric. The second movement is about as perfectly judged and satisfyingly rendered as I have ever heard. The third is well detailed and beautifully expresssed. It evokes the image of an early morning sky whose colors and shades run the gamut from silken gray to mauve, pinkish orange and sunlit yellow. The beginning of the finale is nicely assertive. The deeper strings display a headiness that is fulfilling, and the earliest visit from the "Ode to Joy" theme has a wonderfully comforting songfulness. The proceeding dynamics lead powerfully to the entry of the tenor solo and then through the development and eventully to the chorus' final entry, carried off with grand spirituality. As to the ensuing final chords, I have never heard them delivered in more riveting fashion. The entire final movement is simply outstanding. Most likely this is the Ninth I will return to for repeated listening."

Totally Awesome

John Peters | Austin, TX | 12/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fritz Reiner knew how to conduct works of power. Beethoven's 9th Symphony epitimizes powerful music. In short, Reiner and Beethoven go hand in hand. This performance is incredibly disciplined and very highly charged. Reiner's quartet sings the "Ode to Joy" as well as anybody. This one can thrill even somebody who has heard the 9th several times. Reiner at his best."

Excellent performance of a true classic

D. LaRue | Seattle, WA United States | 09/09/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own perhaps 5 recordings of the 'glorious 9th', and this is the one I reach for time and time again. Too many conductors only like the fourth movement, and play the first three as if they can't be bothered. Reiner likes all four, and prods his symphony, voices and chorus to play it all the way."