Bernstein conducts Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

In the late 1970s, Leonard Bernstein undertook a Beethoven cycle where the concertos were recorded in their entirety and, along with the Mahler interpretations, stand in the centre of his conducting legacy. The symphonies were written with the Wiener Philharmoniker, but Bernstein chose the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra for the "Missa solemnis" to which he returns for this occasion for the first time since his debut in 1950. Bernstein identified with no composer as strongly as with Beethoven, who in turn considered the "Missa solemnis" his most important piece. The performance succeeds symbiotically: "It sounded as if [Bernstein] were improvising the entire work at the moment of performance." (Classicstoday.com)

Soloists: 

Bernard Bartelink (Organ), René Kollo (Tenor), Kurt Moll (Bass), Edda Moser (Soprano), Hanna Schwarz (Contralto)

Ensembles: 

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra , Netherlands Radio Choir

Conductor: 

Leonard Bernstein