montepilot wrote:

The angels must have smiled down upon them.

I am sure they did, the question is why. I have posted my negative feedback about the performance.

http://www.GoodSoundClub.com/TreeItem.aspx?PostID=11533

It was not the worst among them but it was still a Broadway-level corny mockery of the Beethoven IX where the external explicit “picturesqueness” was “pushed” as a virtue – do not like it.

The angels’ smile, that you referred to, was there but musically it was a reply from angels to the Ostap Bender’s celebrated call to angels’ to become a witness of his own “performance”.  Let me give you a point of reference in order you to understand what I meant. In US Ostap Bender will be probably an equivalent of O. Henry’s Andy Tucker with exception that very few nowadays in America read and know O. Henry,  however anybody read and know Ostap Bender in the country if his origin,  not to mention that the Ostap Bender’s is way more interesting character in my view.  So, Ostap Bender was a fictional con man with Marx Brothers like behavior that exhibit a lot of ridicules actions his scorning, highly satirical and sardonic deeds. In 1976 Russians made one of the numerous films about Ostap Bender, this time it was semi-musical, with almost operate-like presentation, not too far from what Michael Tilson Thomas did with Beethoven IX. However, if on the Russian musical it works brilliantly, at least highly entertaining, then in Beethoven IX it sound very cheap and this is why I do not like it.

To give illustrations take a look at the clip from the Russian film (below is a translations) .  In there Ostap Bender decided to marry an old widow in order to steal treasures that are hidden in a chair she owns. I found that the lyric of the Ostap Bender’s song and the fashion HOW it being presented in a film is a perfect illustration how BSO played today Beethoven IX, in fact how most of the today’s orchestras play the work.

Lyrics by U.Kim
Translation by Edward Latman
Sang by A. Mironov

“Echo of Success”

Nope, I’m not sobbing, not even crying.
On all the questions I am openly replying.
The life is just a play and who's at fault for that,
Then I am making such a heavy bet?
And why I have to seek excuses
To take an offer even someone refuses.
A why my talent, heat of heart should be ignored? -
They do deserve a valuable reward.

Let wind to be mad all around
At sea of a daily routine.
I’m sailing the planet alone and unbound
Amid of the ships made of steel.

Don’t you agree, folks, that only crackpot
Can get damn lucky so to hit the wanted jackpot?
An eagle gaze, light push, in circles artful route
Will let to catch a forbidden fruit.
Walks on the edge are such a pleasure.
Watch me, the angels, right away enjoy and treasure.
The sins of mine research, please, leave for other time.
Change view of me in seconds on a dime.

I’m not a robber or an apostle.
Sometimes I’m capable to go kind of postal.
It’s very possible as a result of stress
I might retire earlier than rest.
But I’m not sobbing, not even crying.
I am consistently the best, to say so, trying.
Alas, it’s probable the fortune won’t be kind,
And I will lose much more than I could find.

 (Alternative translation)

No, I'm not sobbing, nor even crying
For all the questions I'm sincerely replying
The life is just a play and who responds for that,
I have myself accepted detrimental bet?
And why I need to seek excuses
When others offer and I can't avoid to use this?
And why creative force and inner soul flame
Can't give me honoured valuable pay?

Let storm will be crazy and cruel
In mists of my everyday play
My sail is so white and my boat's so alone
When steel ships are crossing my way.

Don't you agree, folks, that I'm in favour
To hit a mark at once and be a lucky sailor.
I have the eagle eye and easy distict route 
To have in hands again forbidden fruit.
Oh, such a pleasure to join a venture 
And cry to Angel "stop" and look at my exchanging.
And leave my sins at all for future leisure day,
And try to change the views on brilliance of play! 

I'm not a robber, nor one of priests 
And it's not easy work  sometimes to get a balance.
May be result of life in such the risky way
Will turn my head to earlier grey.
No, I'm not sobbing, nor even crying
I couldn't mark the place, where I can get or lose thing.
At last, the destiny may be not so kind
And I will lose much more than I could find.