Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'

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This rather small-scale performance of Beethoven's masterpiece is given stature by Boyd's approach, fierily dynamic rather than monumental, and some splendid choral singing. — BBC Music Magazine, June 2012, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 6th Feb 2012
Catalogue No: AV2245
Label: Avie
Series: Douglas Boyd Beethoven Symphony Cycle
Length: 64 minutes

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Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'

Work length1:04:56

Album only

Rebecca von Lipinski, Anna Grevelius, Peter Wedd, Roderick Williams
Manchester Camerata
Douglas Boyd

I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso

Track length14:45

$2.00

$2.80

II. Molto vivace - Presto

Track length13:29

$2.00

$2.80

III. Adagio molto e cantabile

Track length13:19

$2.00

$2.80

IV. Presto - Allegro molto assai (Alla marcia) - Andante maestoso - Allegro energico, sempre ben marcato

Track length23:23

Album only

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Manchester Camerata and Douglas Boyd conclude their critically acclaimed Beethoven cycle with a vivid live recording of the Symphony No 9 ‘Choral’.

Manchester Camerata concludes its acclaimed Beethoven cycle, appropriately with the composer’s final Symphony, the glorious Ninth. Like the previous releases in this cycle these live recordings capture the spirit and freshness of these remarkable, genre-busting works, as well as the excitement, atmosphere and energy of the chamber orchestra under Douglas Boyd, the ensemble’s Music Director for 10 years.

Manchester Camerata has become one of the finest, most innovative chamber orchestras in the UK, and Douglas Boyd has proven to be an eminent Beethovenian. Conducting the composer’s Fidelio at the 2009 Garsington Opera Festival, The Times noted “his grasp of Beethovenian idiom” and “pungent underlining of orchestral detail”, praising the musical performance as “sublime and exultant”.

Reviews

June 2012

This rather small-scale performance of Beethoven's masterpiece is given stature by Boyd's approach, fierily dynamic rather than monumental, and some splendid choral singing.

May 2012

Boyd balances the instruments with care and trusts Beethoven's metronome marking...[his] conducting reflects an awareness of magnitude. He doesn't plane jagged edges or reduce vehemence (the finale's recitatives, played as required, explicitly foretell the narrative), yet finds space for the flexibility to express feeling where necessary...Here, then, is a cohesive, powerful but unpretentious interpretation of the Ninth from a musician of high promise.

26th February 2012

The main advantage [of the small string section] is that, instead of an obfuscating wall of string sound, there’s a more open landscape...[Boyd's] tempos tend towards the brisk, removing, in the opening movement, a measure of gravitas, but replacing that with other qualities. He makes the most of the big moments and the chorus is tumultuously joyful.

25th February 2012

Its chief quality is its massive sense of energy. Beefy without being bloated, Boyd’s interpretation is particularly good at sustaining momentum in fast movements. Weaknesses? The chorus sounds slightly anaemic in places and the solo singers have harsh moments. But a credit to all — and further evidence that Boyd has serious credentials on the podium.

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'

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