Search - Beethoven, Weingartner, Vpo :: Symphony 9 " Choral "

Despite a few quirky tempo changes in the first movement, Felix Weingartner's 1935 Vienna Ninth was the most persuasive recorded version of this work from the 78 era, captured in excellent sound for its vintage. Indeed, the vocal quartet in the finale remains unsurpassed, especially Richard Mayr's glorious opening solo. The slippery string portamenti and janissary-like percussion add attractive local color to the whole. The deliciously characterized Viennese Dances make an attractive filler, though Mark Obert-Thorn's fine transfers don't quite match Anthony Griffith's for Japanese EMI. --Jed Distler