Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 Op. 125 1st Mov. (Ernest Ansermet)

[@scharnbergmax]

It may well be 50 years ago that I heard Ansermet's performance of Beethoven's 9th symphony for the first time. I love it more than any other performance I have listened to during the next half a century has impressed me more. I am a little dumfounded why there is so few comments here.

[@brighidclaire]

as am I.

[@scharnbergmax]

@@brighidclaire Dear Alice. There are some compositions for which I have an unambiguous favorite among all executions. I would say that the greatest difference between the second best and the utmost best is illustrated in J. S. Bach’s first concerto for violin. And the latter is the Polish execution by Krzystof Jakowicz (soloist) and Karol Teutsch (conductor). - One more example. I had never guessed how beautiful Verdi’s “Rigoletto” is until I heard the Romanian version by Jean Bobescu. - A third one among my absolute favorites is Beethoven’s fifth piano concerto as played by Wilhelm Kempff and Ferdinand Leitner. Many years ago, I wrote a not very short essay on Internet this version. I shall just mention one detail, bar 151-157 in the first movement, triolets by the piano together with pizzicato by violins and alto. In each bar they are silent on 1 and 3 but play on 2 and 4. These “semi-syncopes” are played stronger than in most other versions. And I think that this performance must the idea of one musician; unless the pianist played as Kempff does there would be little sense in marking the syncopes. I guess that it was Kempff’s idea and that he told Leitner that he would have it that way. - - Then there are some compositions which are performed so much better if the composer himself conducts the orchestra. Paul Hindemith: Symphony “Die Harmonie der Welt”; Arthur Honegger: “King David”; Hans Werner Henze: “The Rose Miracle”.

[@brighidclaire]

@@scharnbergmax Max - thank you for your thoughts and for your detailed descriptions of what you mean. I, too, have some very favorite recordings: Ferras - HvK - BPO LvB Violin concerto on DGG and Brahms 4th with Kubelik/VPO from the 1950's decca, to name a couple.

[@KEIGOTSUJINO]

I totally agree with you .Thank you .