Taped at a live performance in June 1955, this recording of
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with
Herbert von Karajan leading the Wiener Symphoniker preceded by a month the same conductor's studio recording of the work with the
Philharmonia Orchestra of London. Discounting his skillfully conducted but interpretively neutral 1947 recording with the
Wiener Philharmoniker, these two Ninths define
Karajan's approach to the work at the first crest of his international fame. This live performance is perhaps the better of the two. The older
Karajan's pursuit for perfect sonic beauty is not altogether missing here -- the smooth strings and blended woodwinds of the Adagio molto e cantabile fairly radiates lyricism -- but more to the fore is the younger
Karajan's quest for musical excitement. With supreme control, he mercilessly drives the opening Allegro ma non troppo, pulling back at the start of the coda only to lunge ahead in the closing bars. Though the listener may sometimes feel manipulated -- do
Karajan's abrupt tempo shifts in the Finale ultimately add or detract from the piece's structure? -- there's no doubt the result is thrilling. The four soloists are excellent, although
Otto Edelmann's stalwart take on the recitative introducing the "Joy" theme is especially excellent, and the choral contribution of the Orchester der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde matches the finest ever recorded. Listeners who don't already know
Karajan's way with the Ninth are urged to try his classic 1963 studio recording: Deutsche Grammophon's stereo sound is richer and warmer than this thin and dry live recording, and
Karajan's interpretation is more balanced and more mature. But for listeners who already know
Karajan's later recordings of the Ninth, this earlier live account will be mandatory.