Beethoven For All: Music Of Power - DANIEL BARENBOIM, WEST-EASTERN DIVAN ORCHESTRA (2 CDS)

“I think the Beethoven symphonies with the Divan orchestra is different in the sense that there is a terrific amount of energy because of the youth of the people – but there is just as much rigour. The combination of rigour with youthful energy is very strong” (Daniel Barenboim, speaking in the TV documentary on this project).

The Symphonies were recorded in August 2011 in Cologne, the glorious (final) instalment of a worldwide tour that began in August 2010 at the legendary Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and will cover four continents by 2012. The orchestra’s 2012 engagements include a European tour culminating in the performance of all Nine Symphonies at the BBC Proms.

CD 1

1        Symphony No.5 - I Allegro Con Brio    8:14
2        Symphony No.3 - III Scherzo:Allegro Vivave    6:13
3        Piano Concerto No.5 "Emperor" - III Adagio Un Poco Mosso    8:12
4        Piano Concerto No.1 - III Rondo:Allegro Scherzando    9:10
5        Piano Sonata No.23 "Appassionata" - I Allegro Assai – Più Allegro    10:32
6        Symphony No.6 "Pastoral" - | Allegro Ma Non Troppo    10:40
7        Piano Concerto No.3 - III Rondo:Allegro    9:31
8        Piano Concerto No.4 - III Rondo:Vivace    10:44

CD 2
1        Piano Sonata No.14 "Moonlight" - I Adagio Sostenuto    6:38
2        Symphony No.8 - II Allegretto Scherzando    3:55
3        Piano Sonata No.8 "Pathétique" - V Adagio Cantabile    5:30
4        Symphony No.6 "Pastoral" - II Allegretto    9:25
5        Piano Concerto No.3 - III Largo    9:56
6        Symphony No.7 - II Allegretto    9:00
7        Symphony No.9 - IV Presto
Bass Vocals – Wolfgang Koch (3)
Choir – Vokalensemble Kölner Dom
Mezzo-soprano Vocals – Waltraud Meier
Soprano Vocals – Anna Samuil
Tenor Vocals – Peter Seiffert
25:38