I've always treasured Menuhin's early violin recordings, and I'd try to avoid his later post-war ones which in fact might just tarnish his image as a wonderful musician. His work as a conductor in his late years fared much better. Just imagine the wealth of musical experience he has got since his first appearances as a child prodigy, and coupled with the humanitarian stance he took and you have a musician of the highest order of integrity and musicianship.
At the beginning of the liner notes that were written by him, he stated, "For me the orchestral works of Beethoven represent one of humanity's most sacred Temples. Not only a temple as a place -- as most temples -- one location of a given performance -- but a temple in music's own, unbounded dimensions of time and space."
His commitment to Beethoven's symphonies shines through in this Ninth. Feel the energy, vitality and dedication, and you'll be in the heaven of true musicality. With this kind of musical experience, any flaws in this recording will become negligible, and in fact form an integral and human part of this document in music and life.
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