Beethoven: Symphony no.9

My disc is from Deutsche Grammophon's "entrée" collection, whereas the one I present is from DG's Numerique. Both are exactly the same May 1986 live recording with Claudio Abbado conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Abbado's version of Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 is quite controlled and precise. It seems dragging in time, at moments, but the sound clarity is great... a lot of detail and warm, full sounds. I am not sure to recommend it, in general, but it sounds quite well, with a fabulous dynamic range.
Gabriela Beňačková - soprano; Marjana Lipovšek - contralto; Gösta Winbergh - tenor; Hermann Prey - baritone; Konzertvereingung Wiener Staatsopernchor

Beethoven: Symphony no.9, Dm, op.125



1. allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso (17'14)


2. molto vivace (14'21)


3. adagio molto e cantabile


4. presto - "o freunde, nicht diese töne!" - allegro assai (final chorus from Schiller's ode "An die Freude")