December 1996

Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Choral" (1822-4) - Jane Eaglen (soprano); Waltraud Meier (mezzo-soprano); Ben Heppner (tenor); Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone); Swedish Radio Choir; Eric Ericson Chamber Choir; Berlin Philharmonic/Claudio Abbado - Sony SK 62634 - 66:00 DDD

I have the greatest respect for Claudio Abbado's musical integrity, but I am rarely bowled over by his performances. Surely a Beethoven Ninth has to bowl one over. This one is scrupulously balanced, sensibly paced, neatly phrased. It would be quite wrong to call it routine, but it is tame.

It is always a bad sign when the scherzo gives the impression of carrying on where the first movement left off. Abbado's opening Allegro is sleek and athletic, its lyrical moments elegant, but it contains neither mystery nor terror. The lack of exposition repeat further undermines its stature.

Fortunately the finale, once the voices enter, is more involving. Bryn Terfel makes a meal of his recitative, but his force of personality provides exactly what has been lacking.

The entire vocal quartet is superb, as are the combined choirs. Reasonably well recorded in Salzburg (though the timps sound locked out in the corridor, and there is too much of a gratingly bleating first oboe) this is a safe buy but not an inspiring experience.

- Brian Hunt