James Gaffigan - Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 & Brahms: Nänie (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

The countdown is on for Beethoven's 250th birthday in 2020. The composer still stands for independence of mind, for revolutionary ideas, for music that reaches far beyond his own time. To celebrate, Sony Masterworks presents this outstanding interpretation of his famous 9th symphony from the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra under the baton of it's chief conductor James Gaffigan, following up their "Beethoven Project" (complete piano concertos) from autumn 2017. This release also features the orchestra's version of the famous "Prisoners' Chorus" from Fidelio, as well as "Nänie" by Johannes Brahms, an unjustly rarely performed masterwork. This highly original combination of one of Beethoven's best loved symphonies features the exquisite soloists Rachel Harnisch, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Mauro Peter and Hanno Müller-Brachmann.

Tracklist:
1. Fidelio, Op. 72: O welche Lust (Chor der Gefangenen), 05:59
2. Nänie, Op. 82 13:13
3. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: I. Allegro ma non troppo 15:02
4. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: II. Molto vivace 11:26
5. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: III. Adagio molto e cantabile 12:56
6. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: IV. Presto 09:50
7 Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: V. Allegro assai vivace alla marcia 13:37

Personnel:
Mauro Peter, tenor
Hanno Müller-Brachmann, bass baritone
Ekaterina Semenchuk, mezzo-soprano
Rachel Harnisch, soprano
Luzerner Sinfonieorchester
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
James Gaffigan, conductor