Octo_Russ

Beethoven - Symphony 9 [Marriner-The Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields]

Another disc that makes it's first outing in my player, i bought this on Ebay, and i've never seen this disc before, or since, it's amazing that within the Philips catalogue there's many desirable discs that i don't even know exist, so it's good to snap these up while i have the chance, who knows if they'll ever appear again, it was good to hear this symphony again today, i like late Beethoven, but mauch rather prefer mid Beethoven, i feel that was his prime.

Neville Marriner is now 87, an English Conductor, he recorded this work in 1989, the front cover booklet is excellent [photo by Richard Holt], a nice sharp picture of Marriner, a tan background, there's lots of interest from the bow tie to the hands, nice lighting too, showing light and shade.

On this listen the heavenly slow movement Adagio Molto E Cantabile was very moving, it slowly worked its magic on me, Marriner paces it really well, it lasts almost 15 minutes, it starts rather plainly and unassuming, but Beethoven builds it up in layers, in some ways it's like a bunch of subtle variations, where the beginning and end of each is fused in, the same tune is played over and over again, about halfway through there's a slight lull which leads to a short horn solo [8:04+], and from there the second half seems to take off, the strings play with real lyrical power and feeling [8:21+], and that's where Beethoven builds up its intensity, it's gentle, not forceful, but like the warm rays of the sun, it makes you bask in its splendour, there's a slight angry episode [10:38-10:55], and it comes back a little later, but it's only a slight ripple on the calm waters, towards the end there's some nice dialogue between the strings and the woodwinds [12:54-13:31], right at the end the strings have a rhythmic chug [14:03+] slowing things down, very captivating, maybe Marriner plays the movement slightly fast, and if he milked it even more, some extra beauty would have been found, but i loved this today.

Here's Gustavo Dudamel conducting the third movement Adagio on YouTube.