Beethoven - Choral Fantasy - Serkin / Boston / Munch

Ludwig van Beethoven

Choral Fantasy op.80

Rudolf Serkin
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Charles Munch
Live recording, Tanglewood, 7.VIII.1959

[petermusliner]

During his tenure at the Marlboro (VT) Musical Festival, which he helped to create, Rudolf Serkin performed this piece at the end of each summer season. Nothing quite compares to the experience of listening to this master and his enthusiastic students and colleagues in the rustic kitchen that served as concert hall many years ago. Like so much classical music, it provides a lasting echo that accompanies me throughout the span of my life. A reminder during bleak moments that we humans are capable of both creating and deriving pleasure from beauty.

[normanhall]

My all-time favorite pianist. He plays this piece like the great work it is.

[Grazherz]

OMG! I was at this concert. I was blown away. It was part of an all-Beethoven weekend. THANKS for posting!!

[maxreger]

I love the freshness and lack of pomposity in this performance. Munch holds it tight and Serkin's great gifts as a chamber musician shine as he accompanies the singer's early entrances. This work, filled with Fidelio-esque moments and shooting for the future greatness of the 9th symphony is a true curiosity. Something of a mess which foreshadows eternity.

[notaire]

Anmutige live Interpretation dieser fein komponierten Fantasie mit warmherzigen Töne des Soloklaviers und gut harmonisierten Töne anderer Instrumente. Der unvergleichliche Dirigent leitet das ausgezeichnete Orchester im inspirierenden Tempo mit angenehmer Dynamik. Echt bewundernswert!

[jamesculvin]

Thank you so much. This was a Serkin signature piece. The live 1959 here is a welcome addition, I think, to YouTube. The vocal parts work better in the later Ozawa (perhaps just a mixing issue). Terrific, Thanks again.

[peterhelbich]

now you know where the final Chorus of the 9th symphony Comes from

[copleysq]

compare the several serkin performances on youtube.

[mmbmbmbmb]

Quite different from all the other renditions I have heard and liked so far. Certainly beautiful in it's own right. A bit hurried and sloppy for my taste. I probably have to get used to Mr. Serkin's style yet? Am just getting acquainted with his performances. And yes ~ I agree with "jim morris" ... the choral sounds a bit "thin" at times. Forgive my criticism. Merely felt the "need" to state my opinion ;o)

[matthewzisi]

Those first three minutes...so difficult to conduct!