Schubert symphonies
Sun, Jul 10 2011, 8:37PM
I`ve been neglecting Schubert symphonies for a long time, except for 5, 8 and 9. Now I find myself appreciating them a lot. What recordings do you recommend in this music? I am currently listening to Abbado and find them wonderful, but would like to have some alternatives.
Sun, Jul 10 2011, 10:39PM
#2
RE: Schubert symphonies
Yes, the Harnoncourt I am very interested in. Listened the other day to his recording of the Haydn 93 and was very, very impressed. So the London symphonies with Harnoncourt is also on my wishlist.
Mon, Jul 11 2011, 3:49PM
#3
RE: Schubert symphonies
For the 5th Beecham and Bohm.
For the 8th C. Kleiber, Norrington and Cluytens.
For the 9th Furtwangler, Bohm, Norrington, Rattle and Wand (BPO) and loads of others who have committed this to disc.
Thu, Jul 14 2011, 12:36AM
#4
RE: Schubert symphonies
My favourite Schubert orchestral piece is the 5th symphony and Beecham's recording is exquisite showing the master at his very best and beautifully recorded, although I marginally prefer the sound on the original issue LP to the current GROC CD transfer. For the 8th & 9th the Pritchard/LPO issue on a CfP CD deserves to be better known: very good performances indeed with more or less all the repeats, as good as anything else I have heard. For the 9th, Boult too and Krips/LSO which gets a Penguin Guide Rosette and the comment it is arguably Krips's best recording. For the complete set I have an old boxed set of LPs with Peter Maag with the Philharmonia Hungarica. Maag was a good conductor of the old school whose performances usually strike a chord with me.
Fri, Jul 15 2011, 6:28AM
#5
RE: Schubert symphonies
I can't believe that no one have mentioned Gunter Wand. He did really great job on Schubert symphony no.8!!
Fri, Jul 15 2011, 1:03PM
#6
RE: Schubert symphonies
I'd like to single out for special praise Solti's rendition of Symphony No. 9 with the VPO from the early 80's. It's a lacerating performance, in my opinion one of the best orchestral recordings the Hungarian conductor ever made.
Mon, Jul 18 2011, 12:20AM
#7
RE: Schubert symphonies
I can't believe that no one have mentioned Gunter Wand. He did really great job on Schubert symphony no.8!!
I just did!
Mon, Jul 18 2011, 10:02PM
#8
RE: Schubert symphonies
I find it amusing that so many people hold Harnoncourt in awe. I think he is mannered and self serving and because of the current climate in reviewing beyond criticism. Abbado 's Schubert with the bland, characterless Chamber orchestra of Europe offers little charm, despite my admiration for him.
Beecham in 3, 5 and 6 has all the style and charm you could wish for and the complete set that Blomstedt made in Dresden is sublime and exquisitely played and beautifully recorded.
John Grant
Tue, Sep 6 2011, 2:51AM
#9
RE: Schubert symphonies
Does anybody like the Abbado/COE cycle? Recently re-issued as a bargain box from DG!
Fri, Sep 23 2011, 12:52PM
#10
RE: Schubert symphonies
What do you think of Muti's version with the VPO, available at super-bargain price?
Fri, Sep 23 2011, 2:50PM
#11
RE: Schubert symphonies
Not bad at all! Muti is always a safe choice, even in Schubert. However, I prefer the much more expensive Nott version in Tudor, in a very clear and impressive SACD sound and in formidable performances, but with an inferior orchestra (Bamberg).
The Abbado version is a very good and solid version. I hope the cheaper reissue is still fine and sounds as the original.
Parla
Sat, Oct 1 2011, 8:26AM
#12
RE: Schubert symphonies
You mention the Haydn London Sympohonies...I highly recommend the latest Jochum set on DG with the London Philharmonic. These are absolutely outstanding performances with great sound. They have been the catalogue for years and for good reason. You may wish to try Bernstein with the N.Y. Philharmonic as well. I also have some Harnoncourt Haydn. His are period informed performances with the Concertgebouw...hardly a group you'd associate with his kind of sound. Although I don't like 'em all, I did keep Symphonies 98 & 99. However I cannot recommend Harnoncourt's Haydn Paris Symphonies enough...just excellent.
A few recommendations for Schubert...Wand's Berlin reconding of the 9th on RCA with Berlin is very good and has a equally stunning performance of the 8th. Josef Krips rendition of the 9th with the London Symphony has been around for a long time and seems to be the standard for many. I love the Toscanini recording (circa 1949) he plays the "trio" like no other. Abbado is good & uses a somewaht modified edition and this makes this recording rare and interesting and different from all the others. Finally everyone should hear Furtwangler's 9th as well...it is a completely different piece of music when this master conducts.
For a complete set I'd recommend Neville Marriner's Philips set. Included are some great reconstructions of the 7th and 10th symphonies (these aren't in the mainstream) and other unknown (to most) fragments that are very charming. Another possibility for the Symphonies 1-6 & 8 are the Maazel recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic on DG...they are older 1960 era recordings and are also terrific readings with really good sound.
In any case you'll enjoy the music whoever the performers are.
Harnoncourt's cycle of Schubert symphonies is excellent. It has a far more dark character as compared to Abbado's cycle but is an equally valid view. For the unfinished and the 9th I would recommend Gunter Wand. The new Ivan Fischer recording of the 9th is brilliant both sonically and as an interpretation. Regards Anand