App Review: Beethoven's 9th Symphony

What if I told you that for $7.99, you can have 4 complete recordings of Beethoven's 9th symphony from 4 different conductors and have the score? All of this is possible with the IOS app Beethoven's 9th Symphony. 

This app, one of two collaborations between Touch Press and Deutsche Grammophon, lets you choose from 4 different conductors leading the famed final symphony; Ferenc Fricsay, Herbert Von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein (also in video), and Eliot Gardner. You can easily switch between the 4 as you listen to one of the 4 movements. 

When you first download the app, you get a 2 minute sample of the second movement. You still have all the functionality to explore option.

Score Mode: scrolls as it plays, note by note.

Animated Mode: animates the music as made popular by YouTube user Smalin.

Beatmap: shows which parts of the orchestra and chorus are active.

Commentary mode: David Owen Norris gives his description of how the work progresses (Text-Only). Plus, libretto on the 4th movement.

Video mode: Leonard Bernstein conducts the Weiner Philharmoniker in a video recording from 1979.

All the music is crisp and brilliant as these are highly praised recordings. Everything runs smoothly, and you can continue to listen to each movement after you go back to home screen. It's a free download but $7.99 on iTunes to upgrade. Absolutely worth it. 

Disclaimer: This is a review of the IOS iPhone/iPod Touch version. If you know of a good review for the iPad version of this app or the other Touch Press/ Grammopohon app The Orchestra, please feel free to leave it in the comments below.