Today (or perhaps yesterday) marks the bicentennial of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. I made it a point to listen to the 2024 BPO's new album and, compared to recordings from fifty years ago, one can clearly perceive the advancements in recording technology. This is particularly evident in the delicate articulation of the lower-pitched instruments in vocal blends, as well as in the timpani rhythms during ensemble pieces. Here is the recording: https://music.apple.com/album/beethoven-symphony-no-9/1743975340