The nine Beethoven Symphonies are considered to be one of the greatest musical testaments of all time and are a key staple in every conductor’s repertoire. Simon Rattle performed the complete cycle with the Wiener Philharmoniker in live concerts, recorded for EMI between 29 April and 17 May 2002 at the historic Musikverein in Vienna.

‘In the finale of the Ninth Rattle scores palpably with one of the finest quartets of soloists assembled for many years, and the decision to bring over the CBSO chorus is triumphantly justified, with incandescent choral sound.’ – GRAMOPHONE

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN 1770–1827
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral”

SIDE A I. Allegro non troppo, un poco maestoso
SIDE B II. Molto vivace – Presto
SIDE C III. Adagio molto e cantabile – Andante moderato – Tempo I – Andante moderato – Adagio – Lo stesso tempo
SIDE D IV. Presto – Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo – Allegro assai – Allegro assai vivace (alla marcia) – Andante maestoso – Adagio ma non troppo ma divoto – Allegro energico e sempre ben marcato – Allegro ma non tanto – Presto – Maestoso – Prestissimo

Barbara Bonney soprano • Birgit Remmert contralto
Kurt Streit tenor • Thomas Hampson baritone
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
chorus director Simon Halsey

Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle

Live recording: 12.V.2002, Großer Musikvereinssaal, Wien
Producer: Stephen Johns
Balance Engineer: Mike Clements
Technical Engineers: Graham Kirkby & Andy Beer
Bärenreiter Urtext Edition (ed. Jonathan Del Mar)
Original cover photo
Total timing: 70 minutes
A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2003 & © 2024 Parlophone Records Limited
 

Disc 1

Track name

Artist

1.I. Allegro Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso

Wiener Philharmoniker/City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus

2.II. Molto Vivace - Presto

Wiener Philharmoniker/City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus

Disc 2

Track name

Artist

1.III. Adagio Molto E Cantabile - Andante Moderato

Wiener Philharmoniker/City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus

2.IV. Presto - Allegro Assai - Presto

Wiener Philharmoniker/City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus

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