Search - Beethoven, Simon Rattle, Emi Masters :: Symphony No 9

'In the finale of the Ninth Rattle scores palpably with one of the finest quartets of soloists assembled for many years, and the decision to bring over the CBSO chorus is triunphantly justified, with incandescent choral sound' Gramophone Magazine Sir Simon Rattle rose to international prominence as conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and since 2002 has been principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Born in Liverpool, Rattle studied piano and violin, and his early work with orchestras was as a percussionist. His time with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1980 to 1998 drew him to the attention of critics and the public. Rattle increased both his profile and that of the orchestra over his tenure. Rattle made his conducting debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1987, and in 1999, he was appointed as successor to Claudio Abbado as the orchestra's principal conductor. Since it's first performance, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony has been consumed by political ideology and social usage in a way which is unique in the annals of western music. Discussion of the symphony's 'meaning' and wider social and philosophical significance began more or less immediately. The Ninth Symphony offers a consummation of both his method and his vision. EMI MASTERS celebrates the full glory of the greatest performances from the world's greatest catalogue of recorded music. Digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios direct from the original master tapes, these classic recordings emerge with unparalleled immediacy. You will be left in no doubt that you are in the presence of legendary musicians and ageless interpretations.