Beethoven: Symphony No.9
Christina Landshamer (soprano), Jennifer Johnson Cano (mezzo-soprano), Werner Güra (tenor), Shenyang (bass-baritone), Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh
Manfred Honeck / Pittsburgh Symphony (Reference Recordings)
疫情之前，大家一說起美國樂團，通常會最想聽杜達美的洛杉磯愛樂或者尼澤塞甘的費城樂團，但我最愛又最想再聽多一次現場的，是漢尼克領導的匹茲堡交響樂團。不過疫情對美國樂團已構成空前大災難，到時會怎樣就不知了。
無論如何，這個2019年6月的錄音，是我這一年開始多聽唱片以來，聽過最好的一張貝九。第二樂章全部重覆都有奏，全曲也不超過63分鐘，雖可歸類為現代樂團的倣古演奏，但聲音非常有力及爆炸，我覺得最為突出、最能令你一聽愛上的，是銅管沒有黏在樂隊之中，甚至可以說是脫離了其餘聲部，表面上聲音尖嘶，其實是把句子吹得很滿，圓號左面，小號長號右面，左右夾攻。第一樂章是如假包換的過山車演奏，弦樂雖然沒有勉強倣古，但非常重視節奏及突強，同樣勁度十足。
大家最關心的第四樂章也令我喜出望外，未出歡樂頌旋律的「劇情回顧」，大提琴及低音大提琴已像一整隊樂團般飽滿。歡樂頌旋律去到全部樂器齊奏時，你更能體會到銅管脫離樂團的重要，小號吹得非常痛快。去到歌唱，沈洋開始的段落，一洗例行公事，充滿熱誠；合唱團不僅是大聲，更是表達出由衷的感受。這一切，是要用指揮有非凡視野及執行能力才做得出來。如果貝九對你那麼重要，這碟不只值得一試，更很值得收藏。
Before covid struck us, the US orchestras that received the most spotlight was Dudamel’s LA Phil and Nezet-Seguin’s Philadelphia Orchestra. But the one that I really love and long to see live again is Manfred Honeck’s Pittsburgh Symphony. Let’s see if they would get back on their feet after covid.
This June 2019 recording is the best Beethoven 9 I heard in this year of CD listening. With all the repeats intact the total duration is less than 63 minutes. You might call this a reading by a modern orchestra adopting HIP but the sound was unexpectedly massive and explosive. The most notable component is the separation of the brass from the orchestra, which truly showed an informed knowledge of HIP. The brass weren’t just piercing for its sake but they were playing their passages very articulately. The strings at most times didn’t go senza vibrato but the emphasis on rhythm and accents made the string sound very poignant.
The first movement is a real roller-coaster ride, but the fourth movement exceeded my wildest imagination. During the “movements recap” section the lower strings already played their heart out. When the Ode to Joy melody was being played by the full orchestra, the soaring trumpets were by themselves in ecstatic joy.
The singing was also exceptional. Shenyang’s entry was a true smash to the head, entirely free of routine and full of zest. The chorus weren’t just loud, their singing was truly passionate and the words did mean something to them. All these wouldn’t be possible without the proactive intervention of the conductor, and Honeck had the capability to achieve them. So if Beethoven 9 matters a lot to you, this disc should be in your collection.