[Steve Cat]

Rate first for audio quality, then emotional content, and if possible choral quality

 

[bigshot]

My advice is to stop worrying about audio quality and start listening to the music. That's an even better recommendation than which 9th to buy (there are dozens of great ones...)

See ya
Steve

 

[Steve Cat]

Well, I know that.
My favorites tend to be older recordings with people coughing and making noise. I only put up with Glenn Gould doing that. My favorite is Beethoven: Symphony 9; Furtwangler in Berlin 1942, but the sound is awful, the rendition staggering. I was looking for something that I could listen to with my new SR60's just to see how good they can sound.

Anyone have any opinions on the SQ of Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" by Beethoven, Bernard Haitink, and London Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD - 2006)

 

[Davey]

I always thought the '62 Karajan sounded great, though I have the vinyl box set. Think it's out on SACD as well, no? In any case, I tend toward that golden age of recording from the late 50s to late 60s, so most of my favorite classical performances are of that era. But not much wrong with any aspect of that '62 Ninth, even the choral section is great.

 

[Dexon]

Quote:

Anyone have any opinions on the SQ of Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" by Beethoven, Bernard Haitink, and London Symphony Orchestra (Audio CD - 2006)

I'ts poor SQ to my ears, reather shut in, not enough resolution and not so impresive dynamics either. I'm addicted to teldec mastering, so my vote goes to Harnoncourt and COE.

 

[PSmith08]

It is simply impossible to do better than Furtwängler's 1942 Berlin 9th. The 1954 Luzern reading is, of course, not without its partisans - all of whom would make the exact same claim. The 1951 Bayreuth set, from the reopening of the Festspiele, might have the best sound of all - if that matters.

Another interpretatively brilliant set is Hermann Abendroth's 1950 Berlin set. It is as unique and committed as Furtwängler, though Abendroth makes some different decisions with different results. It is a shame, though given some of his choices, a shame of questionable size, that Abendroth is as obscure as he is.

An audiophile performance, and one that's interpretatively very good, is Osmo Vänskä's recent set on, if I recall, BIS.

 

[Agent Kang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSmith08 /img/forum/go_quote.gif An audiophile performance, and one that's interpretatively very good, is Osmo Vänskä's recent set on, if I recall, BIS.

Vanska's 9th has great SQ but I couldn't help feeling that the interpretation was slightly "restrained". Still enjoyable.

 

[mbhaub]

If sound quality is the primary goal, the Telarc with Dohnanyi is pretty darn good, and better than the newer Runnicles recording on that label. Choir work is superb and the performance very hot.

 

[DefectiveAudioComponent]

I am listening to the Vänskä recording now, and I think it sounds great and that the recording is fine too.

 

[DavidMahler]

Vanska's 9th is the most audiophile-istic of all Beethoven 9ths. Gunter Wand is also in good sound, but is a better interpretation

 

[zumaro]

Vanska leads the field right now for sound and interpretation - the best 9th for decades.

 

[Bunnyears]

If you want audiophile Beethoven, then Vänska's 9th is the only way to go. It's a tremendous performance (and that's not just my opinion) in pristeen modern sound (SACD/hybrid). It's big band Beethoven, not period instrument or modern chamber orchestra (à la Jarvi). Vänska has the Minnesota SO so well controlled that you wont believe the pianissimos he gets. I recently heard MTT and the SFSO doing the 9th in Carnegie Hall and he didn't get the dynamic range, nor the transparency that Vänska commands so effortlessly. Vänska's tempos are also very well considered, fast enough to give you the forward propulsion and emotional tension, and yet never rushed the way Zinman's and Norrington's 9ths seem. He has a wonderful way with the bass lines which move you inexorably forward while never, ever drowning out the reeds and woods.

I'd forgo the recent Haitink recording with the LSO. It's decent, competent Beethoven, but it's not in the same league as Vänska's. His 6th in this series is, however, another matter. That is well worth having.

Additionally, you should also consider getting Vänska's new recording of the 7th, which is, imho, one of the best 7ths recorded since Carlos Kleiber -- and with much better sound quality. What the heck, get all of them -- they are all superb.

 

[zumaro]

Now Vanska has completed his series, I think you can safely add it to the set of the greatest interpretations of the Beethoven symphonies - not a weak performance there. Bunnyears sums up the merits well - the precision and sheer togetherness of the orchestra is a joy in itself. And the recording is audiophile quality.

 

[DefectiveAudioComponent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd forgo the recent Haitink recording with the LSO. It's decent, competent Beethoven, but it's not in the same league as Vänska's.

I completely agree with that. The Haitink version is a bit bland I think, although I can not point at any fault with it.
EDIT: I had to listen again to the Haitink version, and I take it back. It just appeared bland when I was not listening carefully. Now when I take more time to enjoy it... the tempo changes results in a dramatic and varied performance.

 

[DefectiveAudioComponent]

Then there are also the Walter Carlos second and fourth movements, which are briliant and good sounding. Although bizarre.