Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1 in D major, D. 82
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Failoni Orchestra
Conducted by Michael Halasz

2. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, D. 125
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Failoni Orchestra
Conducted by Michael Halasz

Tracks:

Stuck In The Saddle Again (Light Cavalry March, Suppe)
Sing Verdi Very Loud (La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi)
Its The Same Every Verse (In The Hall of The Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg)
Musical Bs (Hungarian Dance #5, Brahms)
Dont Play That Violin (Violin Concerto #2, Paganini)
Schuberts Trout (Trout Quintet, Schubert)
Dvorak The Czechoslovak (Humoresque #7, Dvorak)
A Fan of Chopin (Prelude 7, Op. 28, Chopin)
Please Do Not Tease The Viennese (Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss)
Its Spring! (Spring, from The Four Seasons, Vivaldi)
Wow What a Wedding Cake (Wedding March, from A Midsummer Nights Dream,. Mendelssohn)
Instrumental Performances:
Light Cavalry March, Suppe
La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, Verdi (with vocals)
In The Hall of The Mountain King, from Peer Gynt Suite, Grieg
Hungarian Dance #5, Brahms
Violin Concerto #2, Paganini
Trout Quintet, Schubert
Humoresque #7, Dvorak
Prelude 7, Op. 28, Chopin
Blue Danube Waltz, Strauss
Spring, from The Four Seasons, Vivaldi

Amazon.com

From a pure-pleasure standpoint, the first Beethoven's Wig was nothing to flip over, and the second disc in the series follows suit. However, that is not to say that this is not a valuable and possibly ingenious record. Those unfamiliar with the premise will quickly get the picture: Producer/writer/lead singer/chief clever guy Richard Perlmutter gathers a bundle of important classical works (Paganini's "Violin Concerto #2," Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz") and makes up silly, catchy lyrics to lay over them, informing the listener about the piece or its composer. Standing out for their offbeat brilliance this time are "Dvorak the Czechoslovak" ("Humoresque #7," Dvorak) and "Wow What a Wedding Cake" (Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mendelssohn). Few stabs at mixing education with entertainment succeed so well. As a bonus, the second half of the CD repeats the symphonies straight up, presenting a neat opportunity to quiz kids 5-12 on what and who they've just heard. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Greatest baby gift ever.......2007-03-15

Both of my grandchildren (and their parents and grandparents) are hooked on this CD and all of the silliness and beauty it brings into our lives. We sing to it, dance to it, and find ourselves thinking about it at odd times. Who can't love singing Verdi VERY LOUD? I've now started giving this as a simple baby gift, especially to those with older siblings. They are already equipped with clothing and nursery gear, and Beethoven's Wig invites the whole family to gather round...even if it is just on short car rides.

Great for the whole family.......2007-01-04

My husband, 18 month old daughter and I all love this CD. It's a staple in the car. One caveat- these lyrics will get stuck in your head and I now find myself singing the "words" to these songs when I hear them in a store or commercial! I'm hoping this means my daughter will recognize these songs as she gets older.

More Great Fun.......2006-03-13

Like the first volume, this CD encourages young children to enjoy classical music. The silly lyrics sometimes impart factual information on the composer or the piece. There are 11 sing-along symphonies and then the 11 symphonies are replayed without the lyrics--total of 22 tracks. Booklet with lyrics and trivia is included. All our children (aged 2-12) enjoy this CD, as do we.

One is better but this is still awesome!! Gotta have it!.......2006-01-10

My children loved Beethovens Wig 1. I checked this one out at the library. Then, we decided we had to have this one too.
Yes, one is the best but 2 is still wonderful.
Save yourself the shipping and order both at the same time.
We all thoroughly enjoy it. My 4 yr old can name these classicals when he hears them elsewhere and he can hum these beautiful songs. Much better than kiddie rhymes and Disney jingles. Culture your children the funniest way!!

Absolute joy, and endless fun!.......2005-11-15

The tunes and word stay with you and before you know it, you are signing them along. My two kids (ages 9 and 7) ask me to put the CD on as soon as we get into the car. What a wonderful and fun way to get them to love classical music!

Average customer rating:

For Your Wedding

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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For After Hours
For Guilty Pleasures
Just For Fun
For Evening Passions (Dig)
For an Autumn Afternoon (Dig)

ASIN: B00008RV1T
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

Air On A G String - Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach
Canon In D - Johann Pachelbel
Trumpet Voluntary - Jeremiah Clarke
Bridal Chorus From Lohengrin - Richard Wagner
Trumpet Tune And Air - Henry Purcell
Allegro From Suite - John Stanley
Prelude From Te Deum - Marc Antoine Charpentier
Allegro From Sonata - Henry Purcell
Rondeau (Masterpiece Theatre Theme) - Jean-Joseph Mourey
Ave Maria - Bach
Sleepers Awake - Johann Sebastian Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze - Johann Sebastian Bach
Ave Maria, D 839 - Franz Schubert
Wedding March From Midsummer Nights Dream - Felix Mendelssohn
Hornpipe In D From Water Music Suite - Georg Frideric Handel
La Rejouissance From Music For The Royal Fireworks - Georg Frideric Handel
Wedding Day At Troldhaugen From Lyric Pieces - Edvard Grieg

Average customer rating:

A mellifluous Schubert cycle, but lacking in adventure

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-6, 8 & 9

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphonies; Overtures; Concertos
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Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: The String Symphonies

ASIN: B0001TSWPK
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Adagio; Allegro Vivace
Andante
Allegro
Allegro Vivace
Adagio Maestoso; Allegro Con Brio
Allegretto
Menuetto Vivace; Trio
Presto Vivace
Allegro Moderato
Andante Con Moto

Tracks:

Largo; Allegro Vivace
Andante
Menuetto: Allegro Vivace; Trio
Presto Vivace
Adagio Molto; Allegro Vivace
Andante
Menuetto: Allegro Vivace; Trio
Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante Con Moto
Menuetto: Allegro Molto
Allegro Vivace
Adagio; Allegretto
Andante
Scherzo: Presto
Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Andante; Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Andante Con Moto
Scherzo: Allegro Vivace; Trio
Finale: Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

A mellifluous Schubert cycle, but lacking in adventure .......2006-05-20

Until fairly recently Schubert's symhonic output was largely unrecognized except for three works, the Mozartean #5, the passionate "Unfinished," and the sunny, expansive Ninth. Great conductors restricted themselves to thise three works, with the exception of Beecham, who championed Sym. #3, #4, and #6 with great effectiveness. Colin Davis is his successor in Britain as the acknowledged Grand Old Man of Music, but I'm not sure his Schubert is a real advance over the past.

All these readings are well played and recorded, and there are flashes of spirited interpretation, such as the opening movement of Sym. #3, which is forceful but without the toughness and edge that Carlos Kleiber brought to it. In general the best word for Davis's approach is poised, and the worst is meek. This is the mellifluous Schubert of old, the simple schoolteacher who hapened to be a melodic genius. One misses the brave thrust of Harnoncourt's readings with the Concertgebouw (Teldec), which inject a good deal of Beethoven into the mix.

If you are a traditionalist, Davis's cycle will be very satisfying--by comparison, Karajan's big-band approach with the Berlin Phil. (EMI) feels inflated and self-important. Too bad that Davis lets us down in the late masterpieces, the 'Unfinished' and the C major 'Great,' where his pleasant straightforwardness doesn't come close to doing justice to Schubert's genius. The rest of the symphonies come off sunny and bright without apology.

Average customer rating:

Fine sound from Naxos, and great playing from the Failoni Orchestra

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Schubert: Symphony No. 4, Symphony in C

ASIN: B000001449
Release Date: 1994-12-13

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In D Major, D. 82: Adago - Allegro Vivace
Symphony No. 1 In D Major, D. 82: Andante
Symphony No. 1 In D Major, D. 82: Menuetto: Allegretto
Symphony No. 1 In D Major, D. 82: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 2 In B Flat Major, D.125: Largo - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 2 In B Flat Major, D.125: Andante
Symphony No. 2 In B Flat Major, D.125: Menuetto: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 2 In B Flat Major, D.125: Presto vivace

Customer Reviews:

Fine sound from Naxos, and great playing from the Failoni Orchestra.......2005-12-08

Michael Halasz's recording of Schubert's Symphonies 1 and 2 offer the listeners great sound from Naxos, and excellent playing from the Failoni Orchestra. Don't let the budget price or lack of a big name conductor scare you away from this one.
Halasz's Schubert is a bargain, and if it lacks the last degree of elegance and grace of Beecham (EMI), or playing of Bohm's Berlin Philharmonic (DG), it is still very fine in it's own right.

The Failoni Orchestra, a Budapest ensemble, plays very well, and is well miked by Naxos' engineers. The Failoni Orchestra play modern instruments, but are a large chamber orchestra. Allegro tempos are quite fast, and repeats are taken liberally (not, however in the Da Capo of the Minuet movements, thankfully!). Some listeners may object to the fast tempo Minuets, taken in a fast 3, or slow 1 (subdivided into 3) meter.
Those used to Bohm or Beecham in these works may not like the faster minuets Halasz conducts. However, I can listen to these works either way, and Halasz is well recorded and played, so I recommend it.

Listeners wishing to get their money's worth can rest assured of doing so with Halasz's Schubert 1 and 2. I can recommend this definitely above Goodman/Hanover Band (Nimbus, with complete Schubert Symphonies) and on a par with Barenboim/Berlin (CBS), Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (Sony UK, MONO) and Bohm/Berlin (DG, with Symphonies 4-6,8 and 9).

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, & 8 - Vol. I

Average customer rating:

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, & 8 - Vol. I

Manufacturer: Musical Heritage Society
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000HW2VB2

Product Description

The Hanover Band on original instruments. Disc one tracks 1. - 4. are Symphony No. 1 in D Major, D.82. Disc one tracks 5. - 8. are Symphony No. 2 in B flat Major, D.125. Disc two tracks 1. - 2. are Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D .759. Disc two tracks 3. - 6. are Symphony No. 5 in B flat Major, D .485. Disc two tracks 7. - 10. are Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D .200

Franz Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 / Rosamunde (Günter Wand Edition)

Average customer rating:

Slow and Shallow

Franz Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 / Rosamunde (Günter Wand Edition)

Manufacturer: RCA Red Seal / BMG
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000063X8P
Release Date: 2002-10-07

Customer Reviews:

Slow and Shallow.......2005-10-20

I was not impressed at all with the symphonies in this collection. All of them were lackluster in some fashion and were usually too slow in their interpretation. I wouldn't recommend buying this set.

The 8th symphony was not only slow but seemed short on musicians and without much depth: it may have been the acoustics in which it was recorded as well. I didn't particularly find the 9th symphony intersting either as it had no strength but it was slightly better than the 8th. In some of the other symphonies some of the sections sound like they're almost out of tune.

I strongly regret having bought this performance and would have bought something different had I known of its deficiencies. This box set is therefore not really a good investment. You will probably get better choices on Naxos at a cheap price compared to these expensive cheap performances.