Search - Beethoven, Bruges, Ignace :: Symphony 9

For the most part, this is a surprisingly fine performance. Alexander Rahbari leads with drama and strong commitment. The explosions in the first movement have great impact, and if the Adagio doesn't quite have Furtwängler's intensity (whose does?), it's still very affecting. The problems, which arise mostly in the finale, aren't even the usual ones. Miriam Gauci floats her highest lines movingly, and the chorus sings extremely well. But Marcel Rosca's voice is much too light; he sounds more like a tenor than a bass. And the recording, well-focused for the orchestra, makes the chorus sound diffuse and distant. Overall, though, still not a bad buy, and more convincing than a lot of more expensive performances. --Leslie Gerber