Beethoven: Missa Solemnis London Philharmonic Orchestra & Christoph Eschenbach

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123:
• 1 Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123: I. Kyrie 10:00
• 2 Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123: II. Gloria 17:08
• 3 Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123: III. Credo 19:45
• 4 Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123: IV. Sanctus 16:56
• 5 Missa solemnis in D Major, Op. 123: V. Agnus Dei 16:29
• Total Runtime 01:20:18

Info for Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

Beethoven had little liking for organised religion, but he was deeply spiritual, believing in God as an all-powerful, loving Father. The awesome, sublime Missa Solemnis is one of his supreme achievements, which he headed ‘From the heart – may it in turn go to the heart!’ In this live concert recording, the fervour of Beethoven’s vision is powerfully realised by conductor Christoph Eschenbach with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir.

Christoph Eschenbach has a longstanding association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and this release adds to critically acclaimed recording of Bruckner Symphony No. 6 (LPO0049) released in 2011.

A prolific recording artist over five decades, Christoph Eschenbach has recorded as both a conductor and a pianist on labels including Deutsche Grammophon, Sony/BMG, Decca, Ondine, Warner and Koch. His Ondine recording of the music of Kaija Saariaho with the Orchestre de Paris and soprano Karita Mattila won the 2009 MIDEM Classical Award for Contemporary Music.

The stellar quartet of soloists includes the great lyric soprano Anne Schwanewilms, who enjoys an unparalleled reputation for her performances of Strauss and Wagner, and tenor Nikolai Schukoff who is destined to become a leading voice of his generation.

"This may not be the finest performance of Beethoven's most forbidding work on disc, but it certainly ranks with the best...Eschenbach is his own man. In his hands, the work is more questioning than devout, though it has passages of unbridled jubilation...The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir are on top form...And the soloists - not all familiar names - make a great team." (BBC Music)

"Eschenbach scores with the finely shaped phrasing of his violas and cellos in the introduction to the 'Gratias agimus' and the delicate woodwind entry lead-in to 'Qui tollis' (Gramophone Magazine)

"Eschenbach delivers some old school Beethoven here...Eschenbach has a long-standing relationship with the LPO. The orchestra is able to deliver exactly what he asks of them. He likes big, round sounds from the strings and woodwinds, which is exactly what the players produce...It's good, but I suspect the live experience was more fulfilling." (MusicWeb International)

"the performance has [Eschenbach's] trademark fondness for sonic beauty. Surprisingly, for a conductor often associated with slowish speeds, it's also uptempo and volatile. There's real elation in the outer sections of Gloria and Credo and the Agnus Dei...There's fire and commitment in the choral singing and playing, and apart from Annette Jahns's occasionally plummy alto, the soloists are superb." (The Guardian)

Anne Schwanewilms, soprano
Dietrich Henschel, bass
Nikolai Schukoff, tenor
Annette Jahns, mezzo-soprano
London Philharmonic Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Beethoven: Missa Solemnis