Michael Tilson Thomas and the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony release an all-new recording of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony.
Tilson Thomas lingers at certain points, emphasising the ‘modern’ feel of the music as he does elsewhere, somehow managing to do this without seeming mannered or artificial.
- Dominy Clements, Music-Web International
From its stormy opening to the towering fourth movement, Beethoven’s final and perhaps greatest symphony is also one of the most universally loved. The album features the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus, bass-baritone Nathan Berg, tenor William Burden, mezzo-soprano Kendall Gladen, and soprano Erin Wall. Beethoven’s Ninth is the latest addition to the San Francisco Symphony’s Beethoven recordings, and is presented in premium audio Hybrid SACD.
This album continues MTT and the San Francisco Symphony’s ongoing exploration of the music of Beethoven. Previously SFS Media released Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3 and Symphony No. 7 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Piano Concerto No. 4 with Emanuel Ax. MTT also led a journey through Beethoven’s music in Keeping Score: Beethoven’s Eroica.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Erin Wall, soprano
William Burden, tenor
Kendall Gladen, mezzo-soprano
Nathan Berg, bass-baritone
San Francisco Symphony Chorus
Ragnar Bohlin, director
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 1:10:41
I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 16:23
II. Molto vivace 11:45
III. Adagio molto e cantabile – Andante moderato 16:27
IV. Finale: Ode, “To Joy” 26:08
Recorded live in PCM 96 kHz/24-bit audio June 27-30, 2012 at Davies Symphony Hall — a venue of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, City and County of San Francisco.
