The April issue of BBC Music Magazine features a Five-Star Review for the Pittsburgh Symphony and Manfred Honeck’s recording of Beethoven Symphony No. 9:
“an impressive account of this huge work that seems bent on marking itself as the unassailable definition of ‘monumental’. In terms of sound and precision, the performance is meticulous, immaculate and even. That’s not to say that Honeck doesn’t occasionally play a little loose. … Honeck choreographs the gradual build of intensity in the first movement with skill, the Pittsburgh musicians energetically responsive. The Scherzo ranges between ebullient buoyancy and absolutely furious attack, whilst the Finale hammers along at very brisk pace once the brass have come in with a truly joyous ‘Ode to Joy’. … Everything about this performance has heft, from the orchestra to the soloists, with precision sculpting from Honeck… beset with moments of transcendent, expressive beauty.”
—Sarah Urwin Jones, BBC Music Magazine
See the full review in BBC Music Magazine