Beethoven: Symphony #9
The Ninth Symphony is Beethoven’s major symphonic achievement and one of the greatest symphonic masterworks in Western classical music. Its glorious last movement climaxes with four vocal soloists and full chorus singing German poet and playwright Johann Friedrich von Schiller’s ‘Ode to Joy’, celebrating the universal brotherhood of man.
Like so many of us in later generations, Beethoven, too, saw the ravages of war around him during his lifetime, and his work creates the hope for better understanding and tolerance among people.
This masterpiece is performed by the Russian National Orchestra, conducted by Mikhail Pletnev, with Angela Denoke as soloist
The individual movements are as follows:
- 1. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 1. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
- 2. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 2. Molto vivace
- 3. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 3. Adagio molto e cantabile
- 4. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 4. Presto –
- 5. Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 – “Choral” – 4. Presto – “O Freunde” – Allegro assai
The cover of this CD says it in a visual way: “Alle Menschen Werden Brueder” (All mankind will become brothers)
This recording is an amazing, strong, dramatic version of the Ninth. I have enjoyed Pletnev’s Tchaikosvky, Rachmaninov, and other Russian composers. His performance of the Beethoven Ninth is magnificent!
Here is the Beethoven Symphony No. 9 Finale (conclusion), with the Russian National orchestra, Conductor Mikhail Pletnev, and the Moscow State Academic Chamber Choir, Mass Choir
And now the second part of the Finale:
Tags: Beethoven, Symphony #9, Russian National orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev, Moscow State Academic Chamber Choir, Mass Choir