Beethoven - The Revolutionary: Symphony IX / Shaw, Atlanta Symphony [ECD] [Enhanced]

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 9 in D minor ("Choral") Op. 125
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Atlanta Symphony Orchestra / Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus with John Cheek, Jerry Hadley, Florence Kopleff, Benita Valente
Conducted by Robert Shaw

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125, 'Choral': Movement One - Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125, 'Choral': Movement Two - Molto Vivace
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125, 'Choral': Movement Three - Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato

Tracks:

Movement Four - Presto - Alegro ma non troppo - Vivace - Adagio - cantabile - Allegro - Allegro moderato - Allegro - Allegro assai - Presto - Allegro assai - Allegro assai vivace, Alla Marcia - Andante maestoso - Adagio ma non troppo, ma divoto - Alleg...

Customer Reviews:

Rock On Shaw!.......2007-01-30

I bought this CD because of the enthusiasm of the reviewer below. However, I have not listened to it yet, because it was a sort of birthday present from my mom. I will post another review once my birthday comes around (in about a month) and tell what I think of the recording. Knowing Shaw, it will be terrific as usual. I have never been disappointed in any Shaw recording (I have approximately 45). On the contrary, I love them all! I am sure this will be no different.

Buy it . . . if you can find it!.......2002-08-03

Anyone who's anyone has at some time performed Beethoven's grandiose Symphony Number Nine. After all, there's a reason every composer has attempted to write a bigger (or louder) work. And Mahler even came close with his 8th symphony that calls for a 500+ member chorus, a string section the size of New York, and a pipe organ towering above them all. But Beethoven stays atop the leader board...

This recording of the Choral Symphony is one of the most allusive CDs in the world as even the Atlanta Symphony itself no longer has copies available. In this recording, Robert Shaw directs a remarkably well prepared orchestra and a seamless (and loud!) chorus accompanied by four leading American opera and oratorio soloists to record one of the best (if not THE best) versions of the Beethoven's Ninth in the world.

Although New York, London, and Chicago have all tried, you will not find a better recording of this work...that is, if you can find it at all! The CD was never formally released as Telark (Robert Shaw's primary label) already had a version with Cincinnati. So, the only CDs available are left over from the Atlanta Symphony gift shop at the time of the performance. (The gift shop, by the way, has long since been sold out) If you can find a copy, buy it and hang onto it! Otherwise, join the waiting list of hundreds across the country.

Oh, and the bonus Robert Shaw/Beethoven interactive encyclopedia excerpts are a nice plus, too!)

Music Review: