Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer: Shige Yano, Marga Höffgen, Fritz Wunderlich, Theo Adam, Chor des Hessischen Rundfunks, Chor des Süddeutschen Rundfunks
Orchestra: Sinfonie-Orchester des Hessischen Rundfunks
Conductor: Dean Dixon
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Audite
Catalogue: AUDITE95620
Release: 2012
Size: 206 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 ‘Choral’
01. I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
02. II. Molto vivace
03. III. Adagio molto e cantabile – Andante moderato
04. IV. Finale: Presto – Allegro assai
Fritz Wunderlich frequently sang the tenor part in Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on Schiller’s “Ode to joy”, but he never recorded it on LP. His contribution makes this live recording of a 1962 concert at the Hessischer Rundfunk a rarity and closes a gap in the discographic legacy of the singer who died so prematurely. Wunderlich’s cantabile performance style ennobles the tenor solo in the “alla Marcia“ style, and he smoothly blends into the excellent line-up of soloists: Shige Yano (soprano), Marga Höffgen (alto) and Theo Adam (bass-baritone). The conductor is Dean Dixon, the first Afro-American to hold the post of chief conductor (1961-1974) of a German Radio Symphony Orchestra.