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

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

18:04

II. Molto Vivace

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

10:44

III. Adagio Molto E Cantabile

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

20:14

IV. Presto - Allegro Assai

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

28:57