Oh friends! These tones!

With this recording succeed Mariss Jansons and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra a masterpiece restrained intensity rarely heard details and nuances. The symphonic process is perfectly balanced and increases up to a stunning, complex final movement, also thanks to the flawless soloists Krasimira Stoyanova, Lioba Braun, Michael Schade and Michael Volle and the magnificent choir of the BR. Jansons' interpretation is carefully and intellectually - in the best sense "modern" (as opposed to other contemporary conductors who imprecise by conducting the Ninth with incomprehensible high speed and sound).

The Vatican, in which the live recording in 2007 was held in honor of the Pope, the acoustic comparison with ideal concert venues can not withstand really. The results presented here falls partly thanks to a sensitive sound equipment from exceptionally accurate, detailed and voluminous.

With this recording in my opinion, there is a new reference of the Ninth, which rejects any "pomp" and superfluous embellishments and instead a previously seldom heard, startling clarity and instrumental differentiation of this work offers. In particular, the chorale finale avoids the trap of superficial interpretation "orgy of exultation," but here is an electrifying, dramatic ideal nuanced climax that can generate goose bumps.

Jansons' version, I would in a list of "Non-Plus-Ultra-Ninth" next to the legendary recording of Ferenc Fricsay and 1962, conducted by Karajan sorting at the top.

The CD cover (Gerhard Richter's work "Snow White") emphasizes, moreover, the "modernity" of this all-round successful SACD.