Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 & Piano Concerto No. 2 / Abbado, Pletnev, Berlin Philharmonic

Starring:Claudio Abbado, Mikhail Pletnev, Berlin Philharmonic
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Moving.......2007-04-17

The occasion of this concert was momentous, and what better way to celebrate than with Beethoven's magnificent Ninth Symphony and its customized "Ode to Freedom". I grew up on Bernstein's "Young People's Concerts" and have had a special place in my heart for him ever since. It was startling for me to see him looking sickly at this concert. But in spite of his obvious physical discomfort, he threw himself into the music with full passion, sometimes conducting with his whole body - dancing and jumping at times - and pulled off a heroic performance.

The best interpretation of the Ninth Symphony I have ever seen........2007-03-21

Indeed, as it should have been interpreted, as a "Hymn to freedom" in stead of a "Hymn to joy". It is clear that Leonard Bernstein imposes his majesty and the solemnity in this masterpiece from the first bars of the symphony. It is important to point out that all Orchestra is integrated for the best soloist of the main orchestras in the world, such as London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, etc...., it means the compromise of the main countries involved strongly in the second world war, now are joined in a great communion of spirituality.

The recitative of the soloist Jan Hendrik Rootering as a bass, is really spectacular at the middle of the recitative in the fourth movement, and also the voice of the soprano, specially in the passage of the highest note assigned to this tessitura in the score.
The performance of the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks and the Rundfunkchor Berlin are also spectacular in tempo and interpretation. The addition of the Kinderchor der Philharmonie Dresden (boys Chorus) plays an important roll not only in the enrichment of the soprano voices but also philosophically in the fraternity of the humanity as Beethoven would have wanted it.

Despite that Bernstein has his years above, the expressiveness of his conduction is unique and can be noted in the entire symphony, especially in the strength of the second movement and the spiritual beauty of the third one.
The sound is very good, but it seems to me that the recording is a very little low and little saturated in the bass registers. In any case it is an extraordinary living performance in homage to Beethoven, to the "freedom of the human rights", and to the greatest conductor of the twenty century. Do not hesitate in buying it.

Grand, Exuberant Paean to Freedom... Fine Multi-Region DVD from EuroArts.......2006-11-26

I concur with the sentiments of the previous reviewers. This is a fine performance and an historic one that should have a proud place in anyone's musical collection. This celebratory Christmas Day Concert (1989) marked the fall of the Berlin Wall and the symbolic end of the Cold War. It was an eminently festive and joyous occasion that befits Beethoven's beloved work. It was broadcast live across the world and was recorded for posterity on both audio and video. In its spirit of brotherhood, the concert comprised performers culled from both sides of the once-divided city and from the four former occupying powers, all gathered together and led by that most inspirational of musicians, Leonard Bernstein. Even though he is in his 70s, the performance is bursting with energy and exuberance and the finale is a real paean to joy. Most people will know this as the Beethoven Ninth where Bernstein substituted the original word "Freude" (Joy) with "Freiheit" (Freedom), turning the famous choral finale into an "Ode to Freedom" (An die Freiheit). Seeing him here brimming with joy, passion and life, it's hard to believe that in less than a year, he would be gone.

I'd like to correct a few mistakes on Amazon's webpage. I got my disc through Amazon. It is a EuroArts Region 0 disc (playable worldwide), not Region 2. (All the EuroArts DVDs I receive from Amazon US are Region 0). It is presented in its original 1.33:1 aspect (Full screen), not 1.77:1 or 16:9 widescreen as Amazon and the DVD's own backcover states. Picture quality is good, considering that it was recorded on video for a live TV-broadcast. Images are fairly sharp. Colors are strong and natural. It doesn't come up to the quality of the Bernstein-Mahler set but it is very good nonetheless. Sound is excellent and is available in PCM Stereo, DTS and DD 5.1.

At last!.......2006-11-10

I have waited many years to get a better copy of this historical and moving
performance of the Ninth than the one I downloaded from television at the
time of the telecast. Sad to see Lenny so sick, but politically pleased
that he, a Jew, could do this in the heart of Berlin!

The wait is finally over..........2006-08-13

For those who have been dying to own a video-recording of Leonard Bernstein conducting Beethoven's Ninth Symphony commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall, the wait - and all this torture and frustration we had in the past - is finally over...

For the first time on DVD, we can watch this legendary and moving concert at our own homes. We no longer have the excuse of not being able to relive this event because of limited production of video tapes and worse yet, laser disks. We may have seen snippets of it in documentaries and such, but say goodbye to that too!

For those who don't know, this is a DVD worth watching. It's a piece of history in itself. The performance was held on Christmas Day, 1989, about a month and a half after the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Celebrating the reunion of Germany and the rest of the world, Leonard Bernstein, a prolific American conductor and composer (including the musical "West Side Story") led a combined force of musicians from East and West Germany, as the United States, Britain, France, and Russia. A youth chorus was also invited for even more diversity. In the final movement of the symphony, he changes the word "freude" (joy) to "freiheit" (freedom), perhaps to give more emphasis that people are free from Communism, not to mention a possible fact that Schiller initially titled his poem "Ode to Freedom". Whatever the changes made, indeed "all men become brothers" in the concert... for the moment at least...

Bernstein, having less than a year to live, conducted the internationally combined orchestra rather slowly, much slower than what he did in his two previous recordings - not exactly preferable to my taste; I'm most used to the relatively fast-paced recordings of Herbert von Karajan, Eugene Ormandy, and Claudio Abbado. Nevertheless, Lenny, the four soloists from respective countries, the choruses, and the orchestra sang from their innermost heart and soul. Some of the parts were done much better than what other conductors have done. The jubilant coda in the last movement in particular is performed with top-notch speed and almost inexplainable ecstacy, as if Lenny was storing his passion and power for that defining moment. The ovation was also a moving moment; it seem to never stop as the audience showed their gratitude and appreciation to the performers.

For those who do know this, never hesitate to buy if, even if you own the audio-only version. Time to use both your eyes and ears to witness this historic and moving occasion.

(Just to let you know, the performance - excluding the "breaks" between movements and the applause - lasted more than 80 minutes. In the CD recording it lasted roughly 78 minutes. That is because it omitted the repeat in the "A" section of the second movement, to avoid using two disks, as each CD fits 80 minutes worth of music... although newer CDs are able to fit a little more than 80 minutes...)

Orff - Carmina Burana: Battle, Allen, Lopardo, Ozawa, Berlin / Beethoven - Symphony No. 9: Schwanewilms, Groves, Dever, Hawlata, Ozawa, Saito Kinen Orchestra

Average customer rating:

CARMINA BURANA
Lyrics only of Carmina Burana
Dejar de lado la electrónica
Great Choral, Great Orchestra and the GREAT Ozawa.. WOW
This is a great DVD performance

Orff - Carmina Burana: Battle, Allen, Lopardo, Ozawa, Berlin / Beethoven - Symphony No. 9: Schwanewilms, Groves, Dever, Hawlata, Ozawa, Saito Kinen Orchestra
Starring: Orff , Kathleen Battle , Thomas Allen , Frank Lopardo , and Seiji Ozawa
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001Z65PS
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Customer Reviews:

CARMINA BURANA.......2007-06-27

THE JAPANESE CHOIR DO AN EXCELLENT JOB WITH THE LATIN AND LOW GERMAN.

THE SOLOISTS ARE ALSO EXCELLENT .

ONLY REASON I DID NOT GUVE 5 STARS IS BECAUSE NO SUBTITLES WERE AVAILABLE.

JASCONS

Lyrics only of Carmina Burana.......2007-01-04

The Carmina Burana piece is chorus only, no dancers. Carmina Burana is almost meaningless without the Dancers who tell the story. Who can fault Beethoven's Ninth?

Dejar de lado la electrónica.......2006-11-04

La interpretación de la 9ª Sinfonía pudo haber estado mejor en lo auditivo porque el uso del micrófono en el auditorio mezcló la calidad sonora de las voces. Éstas son buenas, pero creo que la acústica natural del recinto pudo haber ayudado a escuchar mejor la interpretación. Podemos tener como referencia la interpretación del Georgian SIMI Festival Orchestra, bajo la batuta del Nodar Tsatishvill, buenísima la acústica, impecables los solistas entre los cuales, la contralto llega a arrebatar totalmente. En esta interpretación de Ozawa, el bajo Franz Hawlata y el tenor Paul Groves estuvieron muy buenos. La soprano Anne Schwanewilms le quita protagonismo a la contralto Barbara Dever, cuya voz es hermosa y carismática pero algo vedada por la soprano, justamente, por la ubicación del micrófono. Se notaba que no se auto-escuchaba y que quería arrebatar al final de la primera presentación de la melodía del cuarteto. El simple uso de lo electrónico impide que comparemos esta interpretación con las memorables de Karajan dirigiendo la Filarmónica de Berlín (con Elizabeth Swarkopf, Marga Höffgen, Ernst Haefliger y Otto Edelmann) y de Karl Böhm, dirigiendo la Sinfónica de Viena (con Teresa Stich Randall, Hildegard Rössl Majdan, Anton Dermota y Paul Schöffler). Carmina Burana es interpretada por un coro increíble. Kathleen Battle se lució con una espléndida y potente voz. Thomas Allen algo apagado y Frank Lopardo con agujeros en el cambio de registro, que no era necesario para una verdadera voz de tenor alto. La orquesta: más que sublime. En pocas palabras, muy buena interpretación.

Great Choral, Great Orchestra and the GREAT Ozawa.. WOW.......2006-01-19

For my nearly 80 years of age,I have a rather large DVD collection and even a larger VHS collection that goes back more than 40 years.

I am not a too emotional person, but this particular DVD had me crying real tears of aesthetic emotion, as I listen and viewed both,Carmina Burana and Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 of this particular DVD.

I have no musical background and I guess I wouldn't know what might be considered a great interpretation of a perfect musical
rendition. But I have over my many years, have attended and heard and seen many of the "Greats" of Classical musical performance. This paricular DVD is by far the most inspiring and most (emotional) moving (musical) experience of all my life. OZAWA is near my age now and is no longer conducting. Because of THIS particular DVD, I have since ordered as many DVD recordings of OZAWA's conducting, as I can afford.

Of all the (thousands) DVD's and VHS that I own, THIS particular DVD is my most treasured visual and audio experience.

J. Levin

This is a great DVD performance.......2005-09-30

The Carmina Burana by Orff is astounding. Ozawa does an amzing job with this work!! Kathleen Battle's voice is so radiant and wonderful for this soprano solo. Frank Lopardo is also wonderful in this extremely taxing solo for tenor (repeated high "D's") that's a scary thought. My personal favorite is Thomas Allen!!! This baritone has such a dark, velvety tone...his "In taberna" solo is glorious!!! It's a baritone solo with repeated high "A's". Wow!! The Beethoven Symphony No. 9 is also breathtaking! Ozawa leads an amazing performance with the Saito Kinen Orchestra. The soloists for this performance are also great, especially tenor Paul Groves!! Great DVD performance!!!

Herbert Von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video - Beethoven Symphony No. 9

Average customer rating:

These reviews are insane
Is it really live show?
This DVD is only for Karajan fan.
The fault of SONY........
Terrible camera work

Herbert Von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video - Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Starring: The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra , and Herbert von Karajan
Director: Herbert von Karajan , and Ernst Wild
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
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Herbert Von Karajan - His Legacy for Home Video: Antonin Dvorak - Symphony # 9 "From the New World"

ASIN: 1573301329
Release Date: 1998-12-08

Customer Reviews:

These reviews are insane.......2007-06-27

I have heard all of the great recordings of the 9th, and this is the best. The soloists are perfectly controlled, they make other recordings sound bombastic. If you are into camera work, well, who knows, but this is the best musical performance. After hearing this, I don't even like the 1962 recording anymore.

Is it really live show?.......2005-08-13

I doubt if it is really a live performance recording. It is quite impossible to have those angles taken if it is really a live performance... If it is the case, it won't be difficult to understand why we cannot see the whole orchestra and audience. It is totally unacceptable to buy a dvd without the chance to see the whole orchestra.

This DVD is only for Karajan fan........2004-03-11

If you're a serious Karajan fan, this DVD maybe for you. It's just another Karajan's conducting show. But if you're a regular classical listener/watcher, you'll be very disppointed as I am. You can see at most 15 players/singers only. But hey, this is Choral Symphony! There're 200+ people on stage. The sound quality is also so-so. I would suggest the DVD Kurt Masur conducting Gewandhaus Orchestra. This DVD is much better for your ears and eyes. And you'll get idea why Choral is so splendid before you go to a concert.

The fault of SONY...............2004-01-21

First of all, i must said that i rate this disc because of the poor dvd quality of SONY, not Kanajan's performance.
After playback of the whole disc, i found that this dvd is totally unacceptable:
1. Audio quality is BAD! I m not saying Kanajan is bad. But the sound quality....it can never made me feel of the orchestra. Very flat.....maybe i usually listen to DG's CD version of 1962 and 1984.
2. What a damn camera angle! I bought this dvd because i want to see live performance of Kanajan, but the film producer seems thinking that he is making the film 'Face-OFF'.....how come a live orchestra performance will take such kind of camera angle? Those sudden shot make me feel very confusing.....as like some previous review here, the film producer seems thinking that he/she even know no.9 more better than Kanajan.......
Anyway, if you want to have Kanajan's no.9 of 1984, pls go buy the DG CD version, this one should never come.....Hoping SONY will re-issue a normal camera version.

Terrible camera work.......2003-07-07

I did not have any problems with the sound although I have CDs with better sound tracks. But I was very disappointed with the video. The camera work was atrocious even by 1983 standards. No wonder I have never seen this broadcast on TV or cable.

Neither the orchestra or the choir are shown in their entirety. There are only side shots, no direct shots. It appears that only two cameras were used and all that changed was the zoom of the cameras which was not very much.

Amazon.com

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (1827) went so far beyond anything in music at that time--in length (over an hour), in use of soloists and chorus in its last movement, in its profusion of musical ideas--that its effects are still being felt today. (Any composer embarking on his own Symphony No. 9 can't help but be aware of the giant shadow hanging over him.) But since it is also one of the most familiar works in the repertory, it takes a special performance to overcome a nagging feeling of "again?"

Unfortunately, this 1991 concert is not such a special event. While conductor Kurt Masur is certainly in his element leading the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Chorus and the Leipzig Radio Chorus, and the four able soloists--soprano Venceslava Hruba-Freiberger, mezzo Doris Soffel, tenor James Wagner, and bass Gwynne Howell--hit their marks perfectly, this is not a transcendent Ninth. Every note, every emotion, every movement is smoothly articulated, but perhaps too smoothly. Maestro Masur seems content to ride over the rough edges of this sprawling, epic, once-revolutionary symphony, and the result is a sightseeing trip to a place the listener has been many times before. --Kevin Filipski

Description

This live recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 (The Choral Symphony) from the Gewandhaus concert hall in Leipzig, Germany, features Kurt Masur conducting the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Chorus with soloists Venceslava Hruba-Freiberger (soprano), Doris Soffel (mezzo), James Wagner (tenor) and Gwynne Howell (bass). Written in 1824, Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" was his last major work, and it is not only the final step in his symphonic developement, but also a glorification that sums up all that went before. 72 minutes.

Customer Reviews:

a very good proformance.......2001-03-09

The Gewandhaus Orchestra conducted by Kurt Masur give a great proformance of Beethoven's 9th symphony. The recording of the DVD is very clear and features Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, which makes you think that you are watching the proformance live. The DVD uses many different camera angles, which focus on the dominate instruments. The soloists are not the best, but the chior gives a great proformance.

Otto Klemperer: Beethoven Symphony No. 9

Average customer rating:

It's a Joy to See Great Masters at Work

Otto Klemperer: Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Starring: Beethoven , and Klemperer
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: DVD
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Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra: The Television Concerts, Vol. 1 - 1948-52
Carlos Kleiber - Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D, Mozart Symphony No. 36 in C, Vienna Philharmonic

ASIN: B00076YP3A
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Customer Reviews:

It's a Joy to See Great Masters at Work.......2006-11-21

The main feature of this DVD is, of course, Beethoven's Symphony No.9 performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Otto Klemperer. The soloists are Agnes Giebel(soprano), Marga Hoeffgen(mezzo-soprano), Ernst Haefliger(tenor), and Gustav Neidlinger(bass). It is a pity that the solo singings are in general not as good as in Klemperer's EMI recording, with the possible exception of Haefliger. Other than that, it is a memorable performance. But I'd have to take into consideration that it is a live performance made in 1964 (in black and white video). A Klemperer fan should not miss this DVD. However, if you want only one Choral Symphony DVD, maybe you should opt for Leonard Bernstein with Wiener Philharmoniker.
The bonus feature is Beethoven's Symphony No.7 by Orchestre Philharmonique de l'ORTF conducted by Ernest Ansermet.(Another black and white video presentation.) Although his Beethoven does not have a special character that Klemperer or Furtwaengler has, I enjoyed seeing his conducting. I just wonder why did it have to be a Beethoven. A Stravinsky would have been fabulous.

Beethoven Symphony No 9 & Wagner Siegfried Idyll / Leinsdorf, Boston Symphony

Average customer rating:

Leinsdorf/Boston/1965: Cool Perfection

Beethoven Symphony No 9 & Wagner Siegfried Idyll / Leinsdorf, Boston Symphony
Starring: Beethoven , Wagner , Bso , and Leinsdorf
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Charles Munch - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Strauss - Ariadne auf Naxos / Beverly Sills, Claire Watson, Robert Nagy, John Reardon, Erich Leinsdorf, Boston Symphony Orchestra
Carl Nielsen - The Complete Symphonies
Pierre Monteux/ Boston Symphony Orchestra
Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra: The Television Concerts, Vol. 4 - 1948-52,

ASIN: B000EMG94U
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Studio description

VAI DVD 4361 Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral," Wagner: Siegfried Idyll. Telecast of October 19, 1965, Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society, Elliot Forbes, conductor. New England Conservatory Chorus, Lorna Cooke DeVaron, conductor, Jane Marsh, soprano • Eunice Alberts, contralto •Richard Cassilly, tenor • Thomas Paul, bass. Wagner: Dawn & Siegfried's Rhine Journey Telecast of December 14, 1965 105 min., B&W, Region 0.

Customer Reviews:

Leinsdorf/Boston/1965: Cool Perfection .......2006-05-17

These 1965 performances, culled from "Evening at Symphony" broadcasts, reveal the strengths and weaknesses of Leinsdorf's tenure in Boston. What may be first apparent to viewers is Leinsdorf's astonishing technique: every semiquaver is in place, every fermata precisely judged, every instrumental entrance duly noted. Yet the effect of these immaculate performances on the listener's imagination or spirit is close to negligible. The Wagner excerpts are beautifully played but dead on the ears; the propulsive Beethoven Ninth is exciting at times, but like the Wagner, cleanness of execution and fidelity to the score replace emotional engagement.

Why then five stars? There's a sense of occasion here, a seriousness of purpose, and a depth of approach that is rare today in concert and in recording. You can see this intensity in the faces of the audience members, in the musicians, and in the conductor who are communally involved in making something significant of this moment. Leinsdorf and Boston in 1965: a musical event that nothing today comes close to.

Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 & Piano Concerto No. 2 / Abbado, Pletnev, Berlin Philharmonic

Average customer rating:

Best DVD version out there
Beethoven's 9th celebrated!
buy it for the piano concerto
No, no, Mr Abbado. This Ninth won't do!
Big disappointment.

Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 & Piano Concerto No. 2 / Abbado, Pletnev, Berlin Philharmonic
Starring: Claudio Abbado , Mikhail Pletnev , and Berlin Philharmonic
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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Beethoven - Choral Fantasy and Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello & Piano / Barenboim, Ma, Perlman
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto/ Piano Concerto No. 1
Beethoven, Mozart & Brahms Piano Concertos
Europa Konzert From Lisbon / Pierre Boulez, Maria Joao Pires, Berliner Philharmoniker

ASIN: B00005R5H9
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Description

Claudio Abbado conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in an evening of Beethoven. The program opens with soloist Mikhail Pletnev's performance of "Concerto No. 2 for Piano" and continues with Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony." Recorded during the Philharmonic's tenth European Concert, this live performance features guest artists from around the globe, including Karita Mattila, Violeta Urmana, Thomas Moser and Eike-Wilm Schulte.

Customer Reviews:

Best DVD version out there.......2005-05-26

I'm not a big enough fan of classical music to really write a review that will do any justice, but...this DVD did not dissapoint. Especially the piano concerto. Very good, excellent recording, and camera shots caught about everything I wanted to see. Very talented orchestra and conductor, I have been to only a few concerts that were better than the one on this DVD. If you must stay at home instead of going to the concert hall, then buy this DVD to tide you over until the next concert.

Beethoven's 9th celebrated!.......2002-12-28

What an outstanding piece of work. If you have a surround sound
system, you'll love it. Simply marvelous. Sit back, Crank it up,and enjoy!

buy it for the piano concerto.......2002-11-26

This interpretation of Beethoven's 9th left me hoping for more and a bit disappointed, knowing that Abbado can do better and has done better on this piece (the recording that is included in his complete Beethoven cycle with the BPO is much superior). Having said that: Abbado and the BPO are never really BAD, by all means, and what really makes this DVD worthwhile is the absolutely out-of-this world, stellar, mega-rendition of Beethoven's second piano concerto. Pletnev is in a league of his own and confers a lightness of touch to this piece that I have seldom heard. He is in perfect touch with the orchestra and the BPO once again shines as maybe the worlds greatest orchestra, absolutely phantastic.

No, no, Mr Abbado. This Ninth won't do!.......2002-02-18

If there is a point to agree with Fritz, it is damn true;in Beethoven's Ninth, there is no Berliner Philharmoniker. Abbado handles the orchestra in Beethoven's Ninth like a student orchestra. Not that there is technical flaws there, you can't get bummer "chicken notes" from a clarinet or a "farthing" horn in such an orchestra of class like Berliner Philharmoniker, but any Berliner devotee will tell you it simply isn't their sound. There is numb, empty display of majestic strength, they simply sound like a chamber orchestra. Or was it simply Abbado's fault? Well it is unevitable since the start of the fourth movement shocked me; the rushing of flute and piccolo istead of thundering blasts from trumpets, how Beethoven would be infuriated by his trumpets playing such a secondary role in this recording.

No doubt, the delicate attention to nuances and phrasing is there, but there must be an excuse for people like me to give Abbado a thumbs down, or ask any anti-Abbado. The pastoral movement is simply too fast to a degree of absuridity and the Berliners ignored the "non troppo" instruction. There's simply no Beethoven even to say, and like any Abbado recording I've heard, it is always "Claudio Abbado" spirit instead of vice-versa. Of course, that statement above is simply sarcasm as Abbado proved me wrong with his handling of Concerto no 2. Probably means why this DVD got three-stars, but it is only TWO, if not for a bonus package of Berliner's ensamble demonstration which no hardcore classical fan should miss. Another warning worth mention is if you dare to risk your hard-earned money on this DVD, be prepared for bear Mr Eike's "O, Freunde..." and so on and so on.

"THIS MAN, MUST PLAY AGAIN..."

Pray tell dear Sir, have you listen to Furtwangler's?

Big disappointment........2001-12-18

Not being a professional concert critic, I feel, I have sufficient music education to write this review. If this concert would have been performed by any other orchestras I would not bother to write a review of this performance. I was born in Berlin and was indeed fortunate to be able to listen to this fantastic orchestra for a long time. In the 1920th under Bruno Walter, Hans Knappertsbusch and Otto Klemperer, in th 1930th under Eugen Jochum, Erich Kleiber and of course Wilhelm Furtwaengler and after the war In the Titania Palace under their new chef, Sergiu Celibidache. And no matter who conducted, the sound was always the same, the sound of the berliner Philharmoniker. Unfortunately today in my humble opinion the sound was not there. And when finally Mr. Eike Wilm Schulte stood up to sing "O Freunde, nicht diese Toene! sondern lasst uns angenehmere anstimmen und freudenvollere" I know atleast for me, this was a sad music experience. But not all was lost. I thoroughly anjoyned an exceptional great performance of Beethovens second piano concert by Mikhail Pletnev.

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