A star-studded performance!
Now considered to be Beethoven's greatest work, it is hard to believe that it was written off early on as inferior to his previous eight symphonies, famously by his contemporary, Louis Spohr. Culminating in the dazzling Ode To Joy, this performance of the Ninth Symphony features a talented cast of singers that includes soprano Kiera Duffy, mezzo-soprano Sara Couden, tenor Nicholas Phan and bass-baritone Andrew Foster-Williams. This engagement is conducted by veteran maestro Herbert Blomstedt.
Noted for its pioneering combination of chorus, vocals and orchestra, the Ninth was an avant-garde experiment when it premiered in 1824 in Vienna, with the composer himself standing next to conductor Michael Umlauf, to help guide the changing tempos. Still a divisive piece among classical purists, hear for yourself why this most-famous work by the deaf composer still invites discussion.