UK original His Master's Voice ALP. 2 LP. Wilhelm Furtwängler conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of the 1951 Bayreuth Festival in Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Solists among orthers are Elisabeth Schwartzkopf and Otto Edelmann.
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Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" – HMV UK Original ALP 1286/1287 (2LP Set) Featuring Wilhelm Furtwängler and the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra

The HMV UK original ALP 1286/1287 is a historic 2-LP set featuring Wilhelm Furtwängler conducting Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, commonly known as the "Choral" Symphony. Recorded live at the Bayreuth Festival in 1951, this performance is one of the most legendary interpretations of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony. Furtwängler’s deeply emotional and expansive reading of this work, combined with the historic significance of the Bayreuth Festival’s reopening after World War II, makes this recording one of the most revered in classical music history. The original HMV ALP pressings are highly prized by collectors and audiophiles alike for their rarity, historical significance, and superb sound quality.

About Wilhelm Furtwängler

Wilhelm Furtwängler (1886–1954) was one of the greatest and most influential conductors of the 20th century. Known for his deeply philosophical approach to music, Furtwängler brought a unique blend of spontaneity, depth, and grandeur to his interpretations of the great symphonic and operatic works. His recordings of Beethoven, Brahms, and Wagner remain legendary, and his live performances, particularly those captured during the post-war period, are often considered definitive. Furtwängler’s conducting style was characterized by his ability to shape long musical phrases and create a profound emotional connection with the music, qualities that are fully evident in this recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

The LP and Its Significance

Label and Pressing: Released by His Master’s Voice (HMV) in the UK, the ALP 1286/1287 set is part of the prestigious ALP series, which featured high-quality mono recordings of major classical works. This original pressing is highly collectible, particularly because of its historical importance and Furtwängler’s iconic interpretation. Early ALP pressings, especially those in excellent condition, are valued for their superior sound quality, with rich tonal depth and clarity that capture the intensity and emotional weight of Furtwängler’s performance.

Sound Quality: Despite being a mono recording, the sound quality of ALP 1286/1287 is exceptional, particularly for a live performance from the early 1950s. The engineers managed to capture the grandeur of the orchestra, the warmth of the vocal soloists, and the power of the chorus with remarkable clarity. The acoustics of the Bayreuth Festival Hall add a unique resonance to the recording, enhancing the depth and atmosphere of the performance. Collectors and audiophiles appreciate this pressing for its ability to convey the emotional intensity of Furtwängler’s interpretation with great fidelity.

Collectibility: As an original HMV ALP pressing, ALP 1286/1287 is one of the most sought-after recordings in the classical vinyl market. The combination of Furtwängler’s legendary performance, the historical significance of the 1951 Bayreuth Festival, and the rarity of early pressings makes this 2LP set highly desirable for collectors. Well-preserved copies, especially in near-mint condition, can command significant prices due to their historical and musical importance.

About Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 "Choral"

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, composed between 1822 and 1824, is one of the most iconic and revolutionary works in the history of Western classical music. The symphony is famous for its final movement, which introduces a chorus and vocal soloists—a radical departure from the purely instrumental tradition of the symphony. The text for the choral finale is based on Friedrich Schiller’s "Ode to Joy," a celebration of universal brotherhood and the triumph of the human spirit.

The symphony is structured in four movements:

Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso: The first movement is grand and dramatic, setting the stage for the monumental work that follows. Its thematic development and orchestral power create a sense of struggle and tension, which Furtwängler emphasizes with his expansive pacing and dynamic contrasts.

Molto vivace: The second movement is a lively and rhythmically intricate scherzo, filled with energy and rhythmic drive. The contrasting trio section provides a moment of lyrical respite before the return of the scherzo’s relentless momentum.

Adagio molto e cantabile: The third movement is one of Beethoven’s most sublime slow movements, characterized by lyrical, flowing melodies and serene orchestration. Furtwängler’s interpretation brings out the profound emotional depth of this movement, with the strings and winds playing with warmth and expressiveness.

Finale: Presto – Allegro assai – Allegro molto assai: The final movement is a choral tour de force, beginning with the famous "Ode to Joy" theme in the orchestra, followed by the entrance of the vocal soloists and chorus. The movement is a celebration of brotherhood, peace, and humanity, culminating in a powerful and triumphant conclusion.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is a testament to his visionary genius, combining symphonic structure with choral elements to create a work that transcends traditional musical forms. It is a symbol of unity, hope, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Furtwängler’s Interpretation

Profound Emotional Depth: Wilhelm Furtwängler’s interpretation of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is renowned for its profound emotional depth and philosophical insight. His pacing in the first and third movements is expansive, allowing the music to unfold with a sense of inevitability and gravitas. Furtwängler’s approach emphasizes the dramatic contrasts in the symphony, particularly in the first movement’s dark intensity and the choral finale’s triumphant joy.

Grand and Expansive Sound: Furtwängler’s conducting style, with its long, sweeping phrases and attention to orchestral balance, brings out the full grandeur of Beethoven’s score. The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra responds with a performance that is both powerful and deeply expressive. The chorus and soloists, including renowned singers like Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Elisabeth Höngen, Hans Hopf, and Otto Edelmann, deliver a rousing rendition of the "Ode to Joy" that captures the spirit of unity and celebration at the heart of the work.

Historic Performance: This recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was made during the reopening of the Bayreuth Festival in 1951, following its closure during World War II. The significance of this event, combined with Furtwängler’s stature as one of the leading conductors of the time, makes this performance one of the most historically important in the symphony’s recorded legacy. The emotional weight of the occasion, as well as the symbolic meaning of Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy" in post-war Europe, adds an additional layer of significance to this recording.

Why This Recording is Special

Legendary Performance: Furtwängler’s 1951 Bayreuth performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is considered one of the greatest interpretations of this work. His ability to convey the emotional and philosophical depth of Beethoven’s music, combined with the orchestra’s powerful playing and the chorus’s stirring rendition of the "Ode to Joy," makes this recording a benchmark for future performances.

HMV’s Audiophile Quality: Despite being a mono recording, the ALP series is known for its excellent sound quality, and ALP 1286/1287 is no exception. The warmth and richness of the recording, coupled with the natural acoustics of the Bayreuth Festival Hall, make this LP set a favorite among audiophiles.

Collector’s Appeal: As an original HMV ALP pressing, this 2LP set is highly valued by collectors for its rarity and historical significance. The combination of Furtwängler’s legendary performance, the significance of the 1951 Bayreuth Festival, and the exceptional sound quality makes this LP one of the most sought-after items in the classical vinyl market.

Conclusion

The HMV UK original ALP 1286/1287 2LP set, featuring Wilhelm Furtwängler conducting Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, is a landmark recording of one of the most important works in the classical repertoire. Furtwängler’s profound interpretation, combined with the historic significance of the 1951 Bayreuth Festival and the exceptional performances by the soloists and chorus, make this LP set a prized possession for collectors and classical music enthusiasts alike. Its historical importance, musical excellence, and collectible rarity ensure that this recording remains highly sought-after in the world of classical vinyl collecting.

Record Grading I use the following grades: M/M- Only for still sealed or certain unplayed records NM    Should look very close to unplayed EX+   With very few signs of use EX     Some light signs of use but nothing that should affect the    listening experience VG+   A really nice LP with some signs of use and the can be the odd light click, but nothing major at all VG    There are clear signs of use and there can be some recurring clicks and crackles, but not continously.  G       There are many marks and lines and you should expect that the listening experience will be hampered. But still playable. + and - are used for nuances. P/F    Very rarely used. Only very rare records will be listed in this condition
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I have many listings, most from one collection in great condition. Most are in top condition. Decca SXL and LXT, Columbia SAX and 33CX, HMV His Master's Voice ASD and ALP, Deutsche Grammophon DGG, Philips Hi-Fi Hifi, Westminster, Proprius, MFSL Mobile Fidelity, and many more.