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Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 |
Author:
Published: 1977-01-01 |
List price: $24.99
Our price: $22.49
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As of: November 20th, 2008 06:08:45 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 A great orchestra and their conductor at their peak
Aside from featuring a superb performance of Beethoven's (and arguably music's) greatest symphony, this DVD also delivers an exciting and unintrusive visual experience thanks to the thoughtful direction of Sir Humphrey Burton. Unlike later video productions of the BPO that were directed by Karajan himself, this one does not attempt any fancy video effects or spend too much time focusing on the conductor. Instead the camera seems to instinctively know what we want to see, whether it is a particular instrumental or vocal soloist, the entire orchestra tearing into a climax, or the moment in the fourth movement when the chorus finally stands up after being seated for over an hour.
Since I grew up admiring Karajan's work and particularly have enjoyed his recordings from the 60's and 70's, this production provided a fantastic opportunity for me to watch him conduct a live concert when he was at the height of his fame. Remarkably, he stands before the orchestra with no podium and no score, and shows an economy of gesture that is perhaps the direct opposite of the more demonstrative style of his contemporary Leonard Bernstein.
Video and sound quality are both excellent, especially considering their 1970's vintage.
Joyous ode and hymn of thanks
Unbelievable performance! There are lots of available CDs and DVDs from Karajan and the BPO. With the Karajan centenary winding down in terms of releases, though AUDITE still has yet to release the Symp No 9 from a 1957 live recording, this DVD performance taken from a New Year's eve concert can only be described as an ode to joy culminating in a hymnlike performance of thanks.
The intensity of the opening movement and the weight of the playing (not weight to clog the sounds) is amazing. The timpanis in the 2nd movement
was right on cue. I was expecting them to burst open anytime! The 3rd movement is totally engaging and it was over even before i had time to take in a breath.
The 4th is a wonder of pure joy. While the Karajan we know from the many studio records with the smooth sound, here there is an excitement felt from the very first movement that something special was at hand. At the end, there was no doubt the audience felt that way. A standing ovation well deserved by all.
A quite superb performance!
A great watch & listen
This was the first time we had watched and listened to a symphony on the TV. The camera work was great, giving you a better option to see the various players as if you had a telescope. The music was wonderful. We intend to do this again. We enjoyed it with another music loving couple in the comfort of our den.
A must-have Ninth!
This is one of the best Ninths avaible in video, if not the best. Karajan at his peak gives us an astounding and inspired music. The soloists, Tomowa-Sintow, Baltsa, Kollo and Van Dam really knows how to sing this piece.
The camera's work is also wonderful. Even if this wasn't a so good performance, musically, it would still be a very fine video, as we are accostumed from Unitel. Indeed, a must-have Ninth!
One of the finest
A very compelling performance of Beethoven 9th. The camera work is much better than the other DG Beethoven films showing Karajan and BPO. There are many shots of the whole orchestra, Singers and players. You fill like sitting at Philharmonie hall and enjoying the music created by a great man. One of the best performances of Beethoven in 20th century
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