Ode to Freedom - Bernstein in Berlin: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 "Choral"

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra

1990

Just six weeks after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989, Leonard Bernstein arrived in the city to conduct a special Christmas Day performance of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony complete with an “Ode to Joy” metamorphosed to an “Ode to Freedom” (“Freiheit”) for the occasion. Bernstein was at his best when making the grand gesture, and this is grand indeed. A specially assembled international orchestra and choruses from both East and West play with overwhelming commitment. There may be tidier accounts, but few that speak so powerfully of universal brother- and sisterhood. A timely return to circulation for a glorious one-off.

I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo, Un Poco Maestoso

Members of the Orchestre de Paris, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, New York Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Members of the Kirov Orchestra, Leningrad, Leonard Bernstein, London Symphony Orchestra

18:04

II. Molto Vivace

New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein, Members of the Orchestre de Paris, London Symphony Orchestra, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Members of the Kirov Orchestra, Leningrad, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

10:44

III. Adagio Molto E Cantabile

New York Philharmonic, Members of the Kirov Orchestra, Leningrad, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, London Symphony Orchestra, Members of the Orchestre de Paris

20:14

IV. Presto - Allegro Assai

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Members of the Kirov Orchestra, Leningrad, Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Members of Berlin Radio Chorus, Members of the Orchestre de Paris, June Anderson, New York Philharmonic, Dresden Philharmonic Childrens Chorus, Klaus König, London Symphony Orchestra, Sarah Walker

28:57