Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 / Herreweghe, Orchestre Des Champs Elysees, et al

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ("Choral") Op. 125
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Champs Elysees Orchestra with Dietrich Henschel, Petra Lang, Endrik Wottrich
Conducted by Philippe Herreweghe

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is a handsomely played period-instruments version of the Ninth, joyous from the outset, with little italicizing or exaggeration. The articulation of the brass and woodwind is spotless and crisp without being what is occasionally (and derogatorily) called "Germanic." The second movement dances and the third is beautiful and songful, if decidedly without the gorgeous introspection one wants in it. The big melody of the 4th movement is flowing and rich and the light soloists (the bass is almost tenorish in timbre) are in keeping with the overall conception--and it's nice to be able to hear every thread of the vocal texture. What's wrong? Well, it all seems a bit bloodless--this is a work filled with mystery and cosmic implications, and you'd never guess it from hearing this. It's a beauty, to be sure, and musicians and those already familiar (and in love with) the Ninth will want to hear it for its cool, unexaggerated charm, but most will find it too clinical and just a bit shallow. --Robert Levine

Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 / Herreweghe, Orchestre Des Champs Elysees, et al, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Ludwig van Beethoven, Philippe Herreweghe, Petra Lang, Champs Elysees Orchestra, Melanie Diener, Endrik Wottrich, Philippe Herreweghe, Melanie Diener, Petra Lang, Endrik Wottrich, Dietrich Henschel, La Chapelle Royale, Collegium Vocale, Orchestre Des Champs Elysees, Classical, Classical Music, Orchestral & Symphonic, Romantic Symphony, Symphonic

Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 / Herreweghe, Orchestre Des Champs Elysees, et al
Average customer rating:

Without a chorus, Herreweghe is not playing in home ground.

Best 9th symphony ever

Herreweghe Interprets All Composers Nicely

Clean and fresh period instrument rendition ...

very good

Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 / Herreweghe, Orchestre Des Champs Elysees, et al
Philippe Herreweghe , Melanie Diener , Petra Lang , Endrik Wottrich , Dietrich Henschel , La Chapelle Royale , Collegium Vocale , and Orchestre Des Champs Elysees
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Missa Solemnis /Mannion * Remmert * Taylor * Hauptmann * La Chapelle Royale * Orchestre des Champs Elysees * Herreweghe

Bach: Mass In B Minor

ASIN: B00000IXTC
Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

Symphonie No. 9 Op.125: I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
Symphonie No. 9 Op.125: II. Molto vivace
Symphonie No. 9 Op.125: III. Adagio molto e cantabile
Symphonie No. 9 Op.125: IV. Finale. Presto

Amazon.com

This is a handsomely played period-instruments version of the Ninth, joyous from the outset, with little italicizing or exaggeration. The articulation of the brass and woodwind is spotless and crisp without being what is occasionally (and derogatorily) called "Germanic." The second movement dances and the third is beautiful and songful, if decidedly without the gorgeous introspection one wants in it. The big melody of the 4th movement is flowing and rich and the light soloists (the bass is almost tenorish in timbre) are in keeping with the overall conception--and it's nice to be able to hear every thread of the vocal texture. What's wrong? Well, it all seems a bit bloodless--this is a work filled with mystery and cosmic implications, and you'd never guess it from hearing this. It's a beauty, to be sure, and musicians and those already familiar (and in love with) the Ninth will want to hear it for its cool, unexaggerated charm, but most will find it too clinical and just a bit shallow. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Without a chorus, Herreweghe is not playing in home ground........2006-12-12

I absolutely adore Herreweghe's work. His Mass in B minor (both versions), Matthaus-Passion, and Missa Solemnis are amongst my favorite recordings.
This, however, is travesty. Without a chorus to support his brisk orchestra, he fails completely in conveying the sense of catharsis that should be integral to a performance of the Ninth.
Compare this with the wartime recording conducted by Furtwangler, or the famous Bayreuth festival account by the same conductor. From the opening bars, you'll notice what Herreweghe is missing out on. The opening measures of the ninth, to Furtwangler, are metaphors for cosmic creation. To Herreweghe, they seem to be some Mozartian harmony.
Which is not at all that bad. There are just so many better recordings of a work that deserves so much better.

Best 9th symphony ever.......2006-07-25

I just received this CD and it is absolutely wonderful! I have heard many 9th interpretations : Harnoncourt, Solti, Karajan, even the great Berstein in Berlin, but this one is my favorite.

The first movement is at a great tempi, this is a 9th start with no pendantic feeling. The second movement is more like the other versions, quite perfect. The third movement has something magical with the soft and rich sound of the authentic timbal. It ends so gracefully you even feel rushed by the beginning of the 4th movement. This last movement is something you don't want to miss. Although the first 5 minutes are nothing new, when you hear the first call of the baryton "O Freunde", you know you are in something entirely new and completely beautiful. The best part is definitely the great finale, especially the last two minutes. The march tempo is so well rendered, with perfect accents on the right notes, with the Picolo rising above all, you can hear the army fanfare walking in the city singing the joy of the liberty.

Herreweghe Interprets All Composers Nicely.......2006-05-14

Harmonia Mundi has a real knack for taking old, oft-recorded classics and breathing new life into them. This is largely thanks not only to HM's marvelous sound quality, but to the artists who the people at HM employ on the label's roster. For HM, Rene Jacobs has interpreted old-favorite Mozart operas with unmatched vitality, Konrad Junghanel has done it with Bach cantatas, Andrew Manze with Mozart's instrumental works, and Phillipe Herreweghe with the larger scale choral works of Bach.

But what Herreweghe has done here with Beethoven prooves that he is capable of interpreting for any period, just like (if not better than) John Eliot Gardiner.

Just like many other music students/enthusiasts, I have many recordings of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, but none other has attracted my ear more than Herreweghe's, not even the classic Karajan on DG or the new Zinman on Arte Nova. Yes, Herreweghe uses period instruments, but the Orchestre Des Champs d'Elysees packs just as much punch as any full size symphony orchestra.

Mr. Herreweghe really does keep things moving too, and takes full advantage of the orchestra's dynamics. While conductors like Zinman (who's interpretation I love nontheless) will utilize sheer speed to convey drama, Herreweghe really brings out the passion from each of his players.

What I love most about Herreweghe's Ninth Symphony is the "Turkish" themed march in the middle of the fourth movement. The conductor's use of dynamics is excellent here, as the simple beat of cymbals and bass drums swells from pianissimo to forte, and becomes "high art" with full strings and chorus. Herreweghe thusly cannot be merely portrayed as an excellent conductor of sacred works, but as a real dramatist.

Each vocal soloist is excellent and Herreweghe's choir remains my all-time favorite (they are just so uniform, and they sing from the heart, and not to be showy... "vom Herzen," as Beethoven often said). I am especially impressed with the tenor. I am so used to tenors singing the "Froh, wie seinen Sonne (etc..)" during the Turkish tinged march sounding the same and uninspired with each recording. But not here. Listen to it, and you'll see what I mean.

Beethoven's score is beyond words, and Herreweghe's conducting really does it justice. Listen for yourself.

Clean and fresh period instrument rendition ..........2006-02-06

The recording is immaculate and clear, only enhancing the timbres and colours of the period instruments, which is good. The speeds seem to be correct, as indicated by Beethoven's own metronome markings, which is also refreshing. The 'gravitas' many may have come to expect from this music - enhanced by the bigger modern orchestra, more powerful modern instruments and (more so) by the style of conducting - is missing here, the result of the 'leaner' character of the period instruments used, and the (often notably) faster speeds than those which have been the norm for many decades. But when one considers all this, one has to admit that the playing here is full of power and replete with character.
As the general aim of using period instruments is to recreate the vitality of the original performances, this recording should convey this. To me at least, it does. For many other people, I can imagine it may all just take a while to get used to (or maybe never?), but when one is prepared to listen to this performance with an open mind, one has to admit that this view is at least as legitimate as any other, especially because it stays true to the source material, even if one may ultimately be missing the extra 'oomph' or even 'gravitas' given by a rendition with modern orchestras (here I would like to bring to your attention Jaap van Zweden and the Residentie Orchestra The Hague, who have recorded a wonderfully crisp, fresh and urgent Beethoven Cycle with a 'normal' modern orchestra).

very good.......2003-09-10

3 stars average?
And the guy before me gave it only one star.
?
This is without a doubt the best Beethoven 9, in my opinion ofcourse.
This recording is breathtaking.
My favorite piece of this symphony: the opening movement is at last given the right speed, drive and rhythm.
I do not exaggerate when I claim that this is very likely the best possible way to perform this piece.
Brilliant.
Needless to say that the singing is excellent, what you'd expect from Herreweghe.

Please do me a favour and listen to this disc, don't believe those editor remarks: the spirit and mystery is greatly served by Herreweghe.

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