Manchester Camerata concludes its acclaimed Beethoven cycle, appropriately with the composer’s final Symphony, the glorious Ninth. Like the previous releases in this cycle these live recordings capture the spirit and freshness of these remarkable, genre-busting works, as well as the excitement, atmosphere and energy of the chamber orchestra under Douglas Boyd, the ensemble’s Music Director for 10 years. Manchester Camerata has become one of the finest, most innovative chamber orchestras in the UK, and Douglas Boyd has proven to be an eminent Beethovenian. Conducting the composer’s Fidelio at the 2009 Garsington Opera Festival, The Times (London) noted “his grasp of Beethovenian idiom” and “pungent underlining of orchestral detail”, praising the musical performance as “sublime and exultant”.
"This rather small-scale performance of Beethoven’s masterpece is given stature by Boyd’s approach, fierily dynmic rather than monumental, ans some splendid choral singing." ****
Callum MacDonald - Gramophone magazine - June 2012
"...Boyd’s accomplished performance offers a gentler, more graceful side to a Symphony that is all too often played without either. It is also an excellent record of his successful ten-year partnership with the Manchester Camerata. David A. McConnell - www.musicweb-international.com - 19 April 2012
"...Orchestra, soloists and chorus seem to be empowered by their conductor, who also holds his forces in fine equilibrium. Here, then, is a cohesive, powerful but unpretentious interpretation of the Ninth from a musician of high promise."
Nalen Anthoni - Gramophone magazine - May 2012
IRR Outstanding
"...An outstanding release"
Mortimer H Frank - International Record Review - April 2012
