DVD + Blu-Ray:
Beethoven 9 | Gewandhausorchester, Blomstedt

Herbert Blomstedt, the Gewandhausorchester, and the outstanding quartet of soloists achieve a gripping interpretation of this monumental work.

Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the musical city of Leipzig are closely intertwined with each other: Felix Mendelssohn, Kapellmeister of the Gewandhausorchester, made the work an indispensable part of the concert hall repertoire and Arthur Nikisch, one of his successors, established in 1918 the worldwide tradition of performing this groundbreaking and pioneering work at the end of the year. The phenomenal Herbert Blomstedt, Gewandhauskapellmeister from 1998 to 2005, once again conducted Beethoven's Ninth in Leipzig for the 2016 New Year celebrations. With his former orchestra, of which he has been Conductor Laureate since 2005 and with whom he enjoys a close friendship, he achieves a gripping interpretation of this monumental work.

Blomstedt and his musicians allow the vision of the fourth movement, headed by the magnificent voice of Christian Gerhaher, to grow to an overwhelming size. The worries and fears of our day seem pathetically small in contrast and, ashamed, one wishes for courage and strength for such utopias and truly great thoughts. It is no doubt that the message is aimed directly at us, here and now. The Ninth seems to be appropriate wherever it is performed. Perhaps it is in this timelessness and limitlessness that the "mystery of mysteries" lies in this great symphony.

DVD (ACC20381) and Blu-ray (ACC10381) will be available in October (worldwide except North America) and November (North America).

Director Ute Feudel
Recording location Gewandhaus zu Leipzig
Production Company MDR
Co-Production Company Accentus Music
Duration 74:13'
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven
English title of music work Symphony No. 9 "Choral"
Choir MDR Rundfunkchor, GewandhausChor, GewandhausKinderchor
Soloist Simona Šaturová, Mihoko Fujimura, Christian Elsner, Christian Gerhaher
Orchestra / Band Gewandhausorchester Leipzig