MusicWeb International One of the most grown-up review sites around 2023
Approaching 60,000 reviews
and more.. and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here Acte Prealable Polish CDs
 

Presto Music CD retailer
 
Founder: Len Mullenger                                    Editor in Chief:John Quinn             

Some items
to consider

new MWI
Current reviews

old MWI
pre-2023 reviews

paid for
advertisements

 

Forgotten Recordings
Forgotten Recordings
All Forgotten Records Reviews

 


Songs to Harp from
the Old and New World


all Nimbus reviews

 


Follow us on Twitter


Editorial Board
MusicWeb International
Founding Editor
   
Rob Barnett
Editor in Chief
John Quinn
Contributing Editor
Ralph Moore
Webmaster
   David Barker
Postmaster
Jonathan Woolf
MusicWeb Founder
   Len Mullenger


Support us financially by purchasing this from

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op 125 ‘Choral’
Twyla Robinson (soprano), Karen Cargill (mezzo-soprano), John MacMaster (tenor), Gerald Finley (bass), London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra / Bernard Haitink
rec. live April 2006, Barbican Hall, London
ALTO ALC1387 [68:05]

In the mid-2000s Bernard Haitink conducted a Beethoven symphony cycle with the LSO and the performances were subsequently issued on the orchestra’s own label. I reviewed two of the instalments: Symphonies 2 and 6 and Symphony 7 coupled with the Triple Concerto. On the strength of having enjoyed those releases I acquired the couplings of the Fourth and Eighth symphonies and of the First and Fifth, as well as Haitink’s traversal of the ‘Eroica’. For some reason, though, his version of the Ninth has eluded me until now. Though the remainder of his cycle remains available on LSO Live, the label has licenced this performance of the ‘Choral’ to Alto.

Haitink leads a fine performance. The first movement, over which he has a clear-eyed structural grip, is delivered with drive and energy, the LSO on top of their game. I particularly admired the trenchant urgency in the development section. The playing of the LSO timpanist is very dynamic and though it’s exciting I did wonder if the volume was not a bit excessive at times.

The timpanist also makes an incisive contribution to the Scherzo but here the drums are completely in scale. The Scherzo is crisply articulated while in the Trio there’s just the right degree of relaxation. For me, the slow movement is the pinnacle of the Ninth and Haitink does not disappoint. On the back of the jewel case Alto quote from a Sunday Times review, which refers either to the concert performance itself or the subsequent LSO Live release. The reviewer comments that “the slow movement….moves along at a pace few conductors would have employed fifty years ago. Yet it never sounds hurried….” I agree, especially with that last element. Haitink achieves an excellent flow and, supported by burnished playing from the LSO, he brings out the lyrical vein in the music in a most satisfying way.

His reading of the finale is excellent, with tempi finely judged. As has been the case in the preceding movements, the LSO plays marvellously for him and their colleagues in the London Symphony Chorus are on equally fine form, offering singing of great accomplishment and commitment. Haitink has a very good solo quartet at his disposal. All sing well, but the pick of them is Gerald Finley who is splendidly authoritative in his opening solo; the sheer quality of his vocal production gives great pleasure. His fellow Canadian, the tenor John MacMaster makes a good job of his challenging solo.

Haitink brings the symphony to a blazing conclusion and I wondered how on earth the people responsible for the recording – Classic Sound – managed to edit out the ovation which I’m sure followed. They were successful in that, however, and also in providing good sound which has plenty of presence. James Murray’s booklet note is very useful.

I’m very pleased that at last I’ve caught up with this excellent Beethoven Ninth from Bernard Haitink. It sets the seal on a cycle from LSO Live that I’ve found very rewarding.

John Quinn




Gerard Hoffnung CDs

Advertising on
Musicweb



Donate and get a free CD

 

New Releases

Naxos Classical


Nimbus Podcast


Obtain 10% discount


Special offer 50% off

Musicweb sells the following labels
Acte Préalable
(THE Polish label)
Altus 10% off
Atoll 10% off
CRD 10% off
Hallé 10% off
Lyrita 10% off
Nimbus 10% off
Nimbus Alliance
Prima voce 10% off
Red Priest 10% off
Retrospective 10% off
Saydisc 10% off
Sterling 10% off


Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe to our free weekly review listing
sample

Sample: See what you will get

Editorial Board
MusicWeb International
Founding Editor
   
Rob Barnett
Senior Editor
John Quinn
Seen & Heard
Editor Emeritus
   Bill Kenny
Editor in Chief
   Vacant
MusicWeb Webmaster
   David Barker
MusicWeb Founder
   Len Mullenger