Schubert: Symphonies 3 & 5

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 3 in D major, D. 200
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Howard Shelley

2. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D. 485
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Howard Shelley

Tracks:

Rigaudon - Empire Brass
Sinfonia - Michael Murray
Toccata - Michael Murray
Wedding March - Michael Murray
The Prince Of Denmark's March - Michael Murray
Trumpet Tune In D Major - Michael Murray
Te Deum - Michael Murray
Ave Maria - Michael Murray
Canon In D Major - Yolanda Kondonassis
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Yolanda Kondonassis
Prelude No. 1 In C Major - Yolanda Kondonassis
Entrance Of The Queen Of Sheba - Keith Clark
Air - Orchestra Of St. Luke's
Hornpipe - Orchestra Of St. Luke's
Rondeau - Empire Brass
Unchained Melody - Erich Kunzel
Through The Eyes Of Love - William Tritt
Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet - William Tritt
The Wedding Song (There Is Love - Danny Donnelly
Dodi Li - Shira Kammen

Tracks:

Rondeau - Michael Murray
Sheep May Safely Graze - Michael Murray
Ave Maria - Michael Murray
Gymnopedie No. 1 - Michael Chertock
Clair De Lune - Michael Chertock
Adagio Sostenuto - Michael Chertock
Largo - Angel Romero
Largo - Larry Cooperman
Largo - Keith Clark
Allegro - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Adagio In G Minor For Strings - Keith Clark
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Leonard Slatkin
Adagio For Strings - Erich Kunzel
'Treulich Gefuart,' Bridal Chorus - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Wedding March - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

GORGEOUS!.......2007-06-13

I wish this CD had been around when I was planning my wedding as it would have been great for helping the bride to select music! Still, it's wonderful to listen to now.

Wonderful intro To MEHDl ..........2006-06-08

I've always enjoyed Great Wedding music and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this site I discovered a group by the name of MEHDl (pronounced medie). After an online search I found their site (S00THINGMUSIC,C0M) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to these CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still a Tomaso Albinoni fan of, I find MEHDl to be a great addition to this CD. I had them both in my multi-disc CD player during the wedding and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.

great.......2006-02-19

Highly recommended. Even has suggestions for pre-ceremony, processional, ceremony, and recessional inside. 2 different versions of Midsummer Night's Dream march included - one with trumpet and organ and one with a full orchestra. Lots of great selections, well recorded.

The Complete Wedding Album.......2005-08-05

This album has a lot of great wedding music. It had all of the songs I was looking for. There also is great background music for the ceremony. Glad I purchased it

Almost the compete wedding album.......2004-05-07

I used this cd to help me plan which songs I wanted to use for each part of the wedding. This cd helps you suggest the placement for the prelude, processional, ceremony and recessional. The cd mainly has classical songs, but it does have a few of "today's" songs. There could have been a few more songs they could have added. But overall, its a good cd.

Average customer rating:

Overall- A very good value
Excellent Schubert from Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic
Average Sound Quality but Great Packaging and Great Value for Money!!
Great performances
Beautiful, but a bit heavy at times

Schubert: 8 Symphonies

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Schumann: The 4 Symphonies
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Dvorák: The Symphonies
Mahler: The Complete Symphonies

ASIN: B00005KK4P
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 1. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 2. Andante
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 4. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 1. Largo - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 2. Andante - Vars I-V
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace - Trio
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 4. Presto Vivace

Tracks:

Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 1. Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 2. Allegretto
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 3. Menuetto. Vivace
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 4. Presto Vivace
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 1. Adagio Molto - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 2. Andante
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace - Trio
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 4. Allegro

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 1. Allegro
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 3. Menuetto. Allegro Molto - Trio
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 4. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 1. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 2. Andante
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 3. Scherzo. Presto - Piu Lento
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 4. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': 1. Allegro Moderato
Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 1. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 4. Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Overall- A very good value.......2007-04-07

There is no way for me to make my review short and sweet, so instead I will point out EVERYTHING I can about these CD's, and then you can decide if this product is right for you. I have always been a big fan of Mozart and Beethoven, and only recently have learned to appreciate the genius of Schubert. I have listened to over four versions of the 4th, 8th, and 9th symphonies, and I would put these versions somewhere in the middle of the pack. In my opinion they are better that The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields's version (Which is TOO FAST) but not as good as Claudio Abbado and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Abbado's versions are BEAUTIFUL recordings, but that set costs over $150. Let's face it, you get what you pay for. (FYI -I have never heard Muti's versions). Now, as far as the actual fidelity/ sound quality of the recordings, they are just a notch below the rest. I did notice this when I played several versions back-to-back with this one. (Once again- you get what you pay for). If you are a casual listener of classical music, or you are looking for an economical way to get exposure to all of Schubert's symphonies, then this is probably the right set for you. (How can you beat the price ??) If you are a real die- hard classical listener, I want to point out one other thing: These versions do not repeat the exposition in the first movements. They play it once and then go right to the development section. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about- ignore this- never mind, and think about the other things that I said. I hope that I have been helpful. I will finish by saying that I'm amazed by the genius of Schubert and his music, and I encourage anyone who loves classical music to listen to these symphonies (esp 4,8, and 9) regardless of which version you buy.

Excellent Schubert from Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic.......2007-03-23

Karl Bohm's recordings of the Schubert Symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic were made in 1963 (Symphonies 8 and 9), 1966 (Symphonies 5 and 6), and 1972 (Symphonies 1,2,3, and 4) and still stand up well today.
Bohm has a superb command of each symphony's architecture, and DG's recorded sound in all one could ask for: much better than Karajan's 1980s Berlin recordings for DG.

I believe Bohm's Schubert recordings are better than the more recent DG's of Abbado/Chamber Orchestra of Europe, which strike me as rather light and chamber like by comparison. Since I like big orchestra Schubert, I prefer Bohm.

Karl Bohm lived 1894-1981, and began making recordings with the Dresden State Orchestra in 1934. I highly recommend Bohm's Schubert cycle, and also his Mozart Symphonies (DG, also with the Berlin Philharmonic) and Beethoven Symphonies (DG, 1970-72, in three different Doubles releases, with the Vienna Philharmonic), essential to any collection of great music.

Average Sound Quality but Great Packaging and Great Value for Money!!.......2006-06-18

You'd be hard pressed to find a better performance of all Schubert's 8 Symphonies than the ones in this very well designed and packaged box set by Karl Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic. The only knock on this collection is that the sound quality, although listed at ADD standard isn't the best. This can be attributed to the analog master and the age of the recordings but I have heard worse like disc 2 of the similar Mendelssohn package. Still, this is overall a worthwhile package to get for all Schubert fans. Recommended.

Great performances.......2005-03-28

This set is absolutely wonderful. Karl Bohm delivers a great performance for each and every symphony. The interpretations of these beautiful works are great, and this is a very enjoyable complete set. I did not find this set to be "a bit heavy at times," but just right. The sound quality is excellent. Highly recommended.

Beautiful, but a bit heavy at times.......2004-07-04

I agree with one of the reviewers here: sometimes Bohm's tempi are a bit slow, especially in the first movement of the 'Unfinished'. The sound of the strings is overall excellent but heavy for Schubert. Otherwise, the performances display a great vitality and impecable phrasing. Great value!

Average customer rating:

A perfect blend of music !
Beautiful
Beautiful Music
Very Pleased!
VERY VERY GOOD

Jane Austen Companion

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music
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Pride and Prejudice: The Original Soundtrack from the A&E Special Presentation
Jane Austen's Songbook
English Country Dances
Emma: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture
Sense and Sensibility: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1995 Film)

ASIN: B0000037IK
Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

String Symphony No. 4: Andante
Symphony In F Major: Andante
Concerto In E Major For Trumpet, Oboe d'amore, Violin, Strings And Continuo: Affettuoso
Overture No. 5 In E Major: Andante
Violin Concerto In C Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 6 In F Major: Larghetto
Cello Concerto In C Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major: I Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major: II Moderato e dolce
Symphony No. 3 In C Major: Andante
Symphony No. 94 in G Major: Menuet & Trio
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major: Andante con moto
Symphony No. 2 In A Major: Vivace
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat Major: Andante
Symphony No.1 in D Major: Andante

Amazon.com

If the people at Nimbus are smart, they'll do a whole collection of discs on this theme. The literary-musical connection is, when done tastefully, as it is here, irresistible. As the intelligent and interesting notes maintain, "London at the time of Jane Austen was one of the most exciting centers in all of Europe for music," and this was an era of great fertility of composers in general. Lucky Jane! Imagine publishing your second novel the same year that Beethoven's Seventh Symphony receives its premiere. Or offering your fourth novel to the public near the time of the first performance of Schubert's Fifth Symphony. The program highlights popular music from Austen's time by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Fasch, J.C. Bach, Boyce, Schubert and others. I find the exclusion of chamber music a little odd here, though, since chamber music was the rage among the sort of gentlemen and women of the country about whom Austen wrote so well. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

A perfect blend of music ! .......2006-11-23

I decided to try this cd based on the good reviews it got and I'm certainly glad I did ! The music is just perfect for relaxing and filling the house with all the old classical masterpieces. A good buy that that's well worth the money!

Beautiful.......2006-11-20

The more I listen to this cd, the more I love it!! It is very beautiful.

Beautiful Music.......2006-10-02

A great price for such a beautiful CD.
This CD is a must have if you love Jane Austen.
Buy this CD, you will not be disappointed!

Very Pleased!.......2005-09-28

If you like slow beautiful music, this is for you.
Austen has a great taste for harmonic melodies.
I've listen to this CD over and over again.
I still enjoy the beautiful music!

VERY VERY GOOD.......2004-03-07

If you love classical music while reading, relaxing or having a bit of tea, you won't regret getting this album. I personally love it to bits, worth every penny!

Schubert: Symphonies 3 & 8 / Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmoniker

Average customer rating:

Tough, sinewy Schubert played relentlessly
5 stars, but this is for Carlos Kleiber's fans: more about Kleiber than Schubert
As usual, Kleiber does not disappoint.
Another Kleiber recording for the ages
Intelligence and sensibility

Schubert: Symphonies 3 & 8 / Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmoniker

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Carlos Kleiber / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Dvorak: Piano Concerto; Schubert: 'Wanderer' Fantasy / Richter, Kleiber
Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

ASIN: B000001GXE
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In D Major: 1. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con brio
Symphony No.3 In D Major: 2. Allegretto
Symphony No.3 In D Major: 3. Menuetto. Vivace
Symphony No.3 In D Major: 4. Presto vivace
Symphony No.8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': 1. Allegro moderato
Symphony No.8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': 2. Andante con moto

Amazon.com

Carlos Kleiber's recordings are rare events, almost invariably worth the wait. This performance of the Unfinished is typical: direct, unfussy, superbly played, and unflaggingly intense. It certainly doesn't hurt to have the Vienna Philharmonic as an eager participant in the process, contributing their customary warmth and inbred sense of style. The delightful Third Symphony gets taken out for a charming workout, with the second movement zipping along at a controversially fast speed. At midprice, this reissue offers excellent value, and it's particularly nice to have the Unfinished featured as the major work. As Kleiber shows, it deserves the attention. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Tough, sinewy Schubert played relentlessly.......2007-02-16

I've put the key words in the headline: this is tough-guy Schubert played relentlessly. The great Carlos Kleiber apes Toscanini here, giving us a reading of undeniable quality while making the journey so rough that it's hard to say whether it was enjoyable. Certain movements, like the seond in Sym. #3, are rushed to the point of eccentricity, yet the playing from the Vienna Phil. is never less than perfect. As with Toscanini, a listener may be won over by the performance's intensity while knowing that this isn't how Schubert should go. It's fashionable to view this most lovable of composers as moody, dark, and death-haunted, so Kleiber may be trying to make that point here. The same relentless quality applies to the "Unfinished" as well; the brass outbursts in the first movement are especially brutal.

Normally I would give this CD 3 stars for being so hard to listen to, but Kleiber always deserves respect, even when he's wrong-headed.

5 stars, but this is for Carlos Kleiber's fans: more about Kleiber than Schubert.......2005-12-17

I gave Carlos Kleiber's 1978 recording of Schubert's "Unfinished" and 3rd (D Major) Symphonies 5 stars, but this is definitely for Kleiber's fans: and more about Kleiber than Schubert. Carlos Kleiber has become a cult figure with almost pop star following among music lovers the world over, largely because of his very small discography and frequent cancellations of live performances the last 20 years of his life. There is a certain mystery about Kleiber, and more is pondered about what he DIDN'T DO, as what he DID, both in recordings and live performances.

Carlos Kleiber (1930-2004) recorded these Schubert Symphonies 3 and 8 with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1978 for DG. The recorded sound is excellent, and the Vienna musicians play like angels. But be warned: in Symphony 3, the allegros are really FAST, and sound rather hasty after awhile. The Allegro section of I and IV sounds almost brutal, and as though Kleiber wanted to get through it as fast as possible. II is also the quickest I have ever heard, and is over with in just over 2 minutes. III, the Minuet, is also very fast: not for those who like Beecham and Bohm, with a slower, more stately minuet.

Symphony 8 is more in the mainstream, but lacks the intensity of Bruno Walter (Sony), Solti/Vienna (Decca), Bohm/Berlin (DG) or Bernstein/Concertgebouw (DG). Even though there is nothing wrong with Kleiber's interpretation, somehow this seems lacking compared with the above greater recordings.

So, if you are a Carlos Kleiber fan and want all his recordings (and there aren't alot of them) this is for you. If you are more interested in the best recordings of Schubert, go for Bohm/Berlin (DG), Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (EMI), Halasz/Failoni Orchestra (Naxos) for Symphony 3; or Walter/New York (Sony) or Bernstein/Concertgebouw (DG) for Symphony 8.

As usual, Kleiber does not disappoint........2005-09-24

This is the most energetic interpretation of these works I have heard. I can't say I was ever a huge fan of Schubert's 3rd symphony, but Kleiber gives the entire work a new life.
But you aren't buying this disc for the 3rd. You are buying it for die Unvolledete-Sinfonie, and he does not disappoint, as he gives the entire piece an electric charge from start to finish.
Kleiber's recordings tend to be legendary (see Brahm's 4th, Beethoven's 5th and 7th), and this is no exception. It's worth the $10.00.

Another Kleiber recording for the ages.......2005-04-22

In the liner notes for his magnificent Schubert album on the Austrian Lotus Records label Alfons Kontarsky reminisces how one of his uncles once mourned the fact that the great composer's 8th Symphony remained unfinished as he "died with the quill in his hand". While Alfons humorously debunks this myth, it remains striking how Schubert's untimely passing has given generations the license to hear the voice of an pending death in such works as the late piano sonatas, the string quintet, the Winterreise, and the eight symphony. Yet, one often forgets that all of these works are the works of a young guy, who according to eye witness accounts could by no means be considered to be an over-sentimental whiner.

Growing up with the classics Cantelli recording of the "Unfinished" and getting the excellent Sinopoli version in the early digital days, these Kleiber recordings stayed under the radar for a long time. Although I had encountered critiques like the one from a frustrated Maestro below (No rooms available in Tuscany!), who claims that Kleiber is wrong since he himself directs this work differently, a couple of professional critics' "definitive performance" label fortunately swayed me.

While the young, dynamic and vigorous 3rd gets a top notch performance I will focus here on the 8th. Helped by a well recorded Vienna Philharmonic playing on the edge of its seat Kleiber, indeed, delivers again at his non-plus-ultra level. Debunking the whole mausoleum/requiem atmosphere it is striking what kind of work emerges after stripping away the bad habits of tradition. While the work is normally interpreted as pre-Bruckner, Kleiber shows like no other how much CPE Bach's Sturm und Drang pervades this work. In addition, and in a way that is similar to the Kontarsky brothers' monumental recording of Schubert's f-minor Fantasy, Kleiber makes no attempt to smooth over the "rough" edges of Schubert at times abrupt thematic transitions. Add to that Kleiber's tell tale photographic precision and a classical pulse and you get, what I consider, the unfinished symphony for the ages. While I can understand that Kleiber's approach can give some people the feeling that his version of the second movement lacks the sense of closure that other interpreters have added, I strongly advise them to read the aforementioned liner notes by the wise Alphons for a striking character study of the young mister Schubert.

Intelligence and sensibility.......2003-05-23

Carlos Kleiber is a great musician. Schubert is a great composer. The result is a wonderfully alive Symphony no. 3 and a profound 8th!

Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Symphonies nos. 3, 5, & 6 / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Charming Performances
UNALLOYED PLEASURE
Beecham perfectly caught the spirit of early Schubert
Pass the crumpets
One of the great recordings of the stereo era: no doubt about it!

Great Recordings Of The Century - Schubert: Symphonies nos. 3, 5, & 6 / Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Sir Thomas Beecham Conducts Schubert
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Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy
EMI Great Recordings of Century - Brahms: Symphonies Nos. 1-4/Klemperer

ASIN: B00000IOC2
Release Date: 1999-05-04

Tracks:

I: Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Brio
II: Allegretto
III: Menuetto (Vivace) & Trio
IV: Presto Vivace
I: Allegro
II: Andante Con Moto
III: Menuetto (Allegro Molto) & Trio
IV: Allegro Vivace
I: Adagio - Allegro
II: Andante
III: Scherzo (Presto) & Trio
IV: Allegro Moderato

Amazon.com

Time has somewhat tarnished these once highly regarded recordings. EMI's early stereo engineering was hit and miss, and not even these new remasterings can fully tame the strident string tone and hollow-sounding tuttis. Yet the performances have many virtues, including rhythmic élan, well-chosen tempos, and winsomely characterized solo playing. Above all else is Beecham's flair for shaping and projecting melodies with a cute little accent here, a dynamic surge there, and enough felicitous turns of phrase to keep the listener smiling. It's true that other conductors have elicited leaner, tauter ensemble work from their musicians (Carlos Kleiber's Third with the Vienna Philharmonic, for instance, and Fritz Reiner's neatly regimented Fifth with the Chicago Symphony). However, if you desire this uplifting group of works on one well-filled disc (and who wouldn't?), Beecham has the field to himself. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Charming Performances .......2007-04-24

Beecham was always at his best where lyricism and light touch were needed.
In these works his ability to impart such qualitites to an entire orchestra is readily apparent. Schubert's music sparkles and dances under Beecham's leadership. I have several excellent modern versions, but these under Beecham remain my favorites, especially the performance of the 6th symphony.
Note: Mr. Distler, a reviewer frequently cited by Amazon, always seems to feel it necessary to bring in other performers by way of comparison. And he never writes a review without flip-floping, going back and forth. He's always writing "on the one hand" and then writing "then again, on the other hand...". In this review he starts out attacking the sound, then he compliments the conductor, then he knocks the conductor's hold on ensemble by praising two of music's most notorious martinets, then ends by saying it's a wonderful performance. Good grief. Just once I wish he would stick to the recording at hand, say yeah or nay, and be done with it.

UNALLOYED PLEASURE.......2007-03-14

Some recordings are just hors concours. It's not necessarily that they are the `best' version available - that's far too absolute and arrogant a judgement to pass. It's rather that there will never be anything quite like them again. Yes, they are superlative performances - by definition. But there's something more, something perhaps indefinable, but instantly recognisable. We will not see their like again - though we may see something else equally as impressive. The first Callas Tosca is probably one; Furtwangler's Tristan another. I'd include Beecham's Boheme and perhaps his Carmen, too. Toscanini's Otello, definitely; Giulini's Verdi Requiem and Britten's own War Requiem, yes; Solti's Ring possibly. And so on. Readers will have other additions of their own, no doubt. But chances are they will tend to be large-scale works.

Here's a very strong candidate for that honour roll which is on a smaller scale. These are perfect gems of performances of these early Schubert symphonies, all three. Beecham brings to bear all his renowned wit, subtlety, rhythmic élan and inimitable melodic phrasing to lift them way above their usual allotted position as minor works in the Schubert canon. I defy you to restrain a smile of unalloyed pleasure from spreading across your face as you listen to this disc as Sir Thomas exercises the magic to which, at times like this, one believes only he holds the key. These days there are many other estimable performances of these symphonies, many of them far more authentic, but not one of them is quite in Beecham's `class'.

A Great Recording of the Century? Most definitely.

Beecham perfectly caught the spirit of early Schubert.......2006-02-20

The special allure of these performances is that they keep a smile on the listener's face. Beecham was rough and ready technically, and the sonics are showing their age--though not badly at all in this excellent new remastering--yet none of that matters. Beecham elicits such naturalness and good humor in these performances, you realize that behind the simplicty Beecham has lived with Schubert for many years.

Go back to the Sym. #5 and 6 he recorded on 78s in 1938 and 1944 (they are available in terrific transfers on Dutton) and you'll hear the same elan, the same deft touch with melody. Beecham connoisseurs prefer those earlier versions for their extra dash of dramatic contrast, but these sunnier recordings in stereo are exemplary in their own right--they bring the kind of joy one never hears, alas, in even the best modern readings.

P.S.--Making the original LPs used up many recording dates, odd considering how spontaneous eveyrthing sounds. Sym. #3 and 5 come from several sessions in Paris and London across a year's span in 1958-59, while Sym. #6 took two separate London sessions in 1955.

Pass the crumpets.......2006-01-27

Sir Thomas was known for his ribald sense of humor, but all is decorum here. This could easily pass for 19th century salon playing of the proper, but tepid, order; except for a couple of moments in the 5th symphony, there's nothing to ruffle the doilies here. Beecham could do wonderful things (I think his 'Carmen' is still the best), but this isn't one of them. This is the kind of conducting that sends me running for Szell, Reiner, or Kubelik.

One of the great recordings of the stereo era: no doubt about it!.......2005-12-06

Sir Thomas Beecham's recordings of Schubert's Symphonies 3, 5, and 6 is one of the great recordings of the stereo era: no doubt about it! Recorded in the late 1950s with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in warm, glowing stereo sound, this has already earned a place and will go down in history as one of the great recordings, and should be in every Classical music lover's collection. Sir Thomas had the qualities which really match Schubert's soul: warmth, grace, wit, and a natural unfolding which is never eccentric or harsh. Beecham's Schubert is the best recording of these three works, along with Bohm/Berlin (DG), Barenboim/Berlin (CBS), and Walter/Columbia (Sony, Sym. 5 only).

Beecham also recorded Schubert Symphonies 1 and 2 with the Royal Philharmonic in mono, but very good sound in the early 1950s, now available on Sony UK. This should also be in every Schubert lover's collection, as these are superb performances with the same qualities as this EMI recording.

Schubert: Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9; Rosamunde Overture

Average customer rating:

Is it real?
Karajan marches on
Sterling 9th
Unconvincing big-band performances without charm
Karajan's Schubert Cycle Reissued for Cheap!

Schubert: Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9; Rosamunde Overture

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-98
Haydn: Symphonies #99-104; Sir Thomas Beecham; Royal Philharmonic
Schumann: The Four Symphonies
Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3 & 4 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B0002XV2YS
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Rosamunde Overture, D644
I. Allegro
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro Molto
IV. Allegro Vivace
I. Adagio - Allegretto
II. Andante
III. Scherzo: Presto - Trio: Piu Lento
IV. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante Con Moto
I. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Scherzo E Trio: Allegro Vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Is it real?.......2007-03-20

When I saw this CD here at Amazon and noticed such a low price the first thing that came to my mind is how "Such a superb Art", how "Such fine piece of Music ever" composed by one of the "Greatest Masters" ever has such a low price while you can see mediocre people buying things like madonna and beyonce paying more than twice this price by CD. I have all this works separately in imported vinyl but I'm going to buy this one in order of listening in my car during the path to work in the morning. I love the "Symphony number Five" but the best works here are the "Number Eight", "Unfinished Symphony" and the "Great Symphony Number Nine", talking about number eight unfinished symphony I prefer to the Sinopoli's interpretation conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra from Europe It is much more passionate, One intelligent man can't die without listening to this Masterpiece, why Franz Peter Schubert wrote only two perfect movements and stopped as if he had abondoned the symphony suddenly? I don't believe in this faith, I believe he finished this masterpiece but unfortunately the others two movements were lost forever, but these two that survived are perfect as we have known and listened to them for long time. About Symphony Number Nine this interpretation of genius Herbert Von Karajan is in my opinion "definitive" mainly in the first movement, it's incisive and coherent, and strong in a way that only Karajan could do with the help of the most important musical institution of the world "Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra". Great combination "Masterpiece plus best price possible". Perfect.

Karajan marches on.......2007-02-01

It is interesting to read the comments about Karajan. Those in the Beethoven section often loose sight that he did record stuff other than Beethoven's symphonies. Or they think he slighted the piano concertos when after all he did make several runs at those including mono recordings from the 50s. Or there will be comments about the sound he gets, too pure, too pretty. "I just can't like it, it sounds too good."

Karajan recorded just about everything from the Baroque Masters to Richard Strauss. He also headed up numerous music festivals and operas. To see what I mean, do a search either here or at Ebay on Karajan and opera. He was one busy productive dude. And he delighted millions both in live performances and all those vinyl gems he left us now bing ported over to cd.

I have these recordings that were issued on vinyl by Angel records in association with the book of the month club from way back when.

Karajan's recordings span from the 1930s to the late 1980s. Kinda like the Duke and all them westerns. He led the best orchestras in Europe (Vienna, Berlin, the Philharmonia to name three) and made records with them year end and year out for over 50 years. He also pushed the technology envelope and took advantage of digital when it first came out and video. Often the arguements about Karajan have to do with which version of such and such is best! "They all sound good, but I like his mono version with the Philharmonia best."

All this activity in conducting and recording over so many years paid major dividends. Like Bohm, I have seldom heard one of Karajan's lps and thought that he laid an egg! The reason why he is soooo popular is that he consistenly put out top notch work. You may find better individual performances but chances are you will not get an ear infection from listening to his recordings.

This inexpensive set is a good way to test the non Beethoven Karajan waters if you have not done so already. Or, you may give his great Schumann or Tchaikovsky Symphony recordings a try.

Sterling 9th.......2006-06-15

You know, maybe there is just something to a composers Symphony No. 9. Beethoven, Bruckner and Schubert all had amazing 9th Symphonies, but I digress. This CD is worth the money (which isn't very much) just to hear "The Great" C Major Symphony. I haven't found a better recording of it anywhere. Once again, Karajan turns out a gem.

Unconvincing big-band performances without charm.......2005-10-07

Amazon is being pdeantic to call the Schubert 8th, the Unfinished, his Sym. #7. All four symphonies here are great ones, and Karajan runs through them with a big orchestra and a good deal of impact. But one misses any easiness, charm, or melancholy, all qualities that belong to the real Schubert. This is more Karajan than Schubert, only worthwhile if you love the Berlin Phil's massive sound and want to hear every piece run through it.

I should say that the competing sets from Abbado with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (DG) and Colin Davis with the Dresden Staatskapelle (RCA) sound timid and dull respectively. I would hold out for the new Harnoncourt--his single performances have been excellent so far--or seek the many great performances that exist out there of each symphony.

Karajan's Schubert Cycle Reissued for Cheap!.......2005-03-14

EMI's new "Gemini" series is a breath of fresh air amidst all the smoke being put forth recently by the major classical labels. While Sony is deleting most of their classical budget discs, BMG is raising theirs to mid-price and UNI is convinced that 3CDs are always better than one, EMI decides to start a two-fer line that sells for significantly less than the competition, not to mention their own "Double Forte" series. It might not be as cheap as the old "Seraphim" series, but they could certainly be charging more for quality recordings such as these.

Herbert von Karajan's Schubert Symphony Cycle, made between 1975-78 for EMI with the Berlin Philharmonic, has been available previously on CD in the "Karajan Edition." However, those discs, released as four single titles with two Symphonies each, were twice the price of these new reissues. These performances of Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9 plus the Rosamunde Overture are certainly solid, but Karajan was never celebrated as a conductor of Schubert. One wonders if that is why DG had a young Lorin Maazel record the Schubert Symphonies with the Berliners instead of Herbie at the dawn of the stereo age, and that ultimately EMI had him record this Cycle because it was something he hadn't yet done for DG. In any event, I would certainly recommend the Bohm boxed set on DG or the Kertesz on London/Decca (see my review of the latter) ahead of these performances. But considering how cheap these two double discs are, maybe picking up an extra Schubert Cycle is worth it after all.

Average customer rating:

Feels like a "pig-pile" on the bottom-most review
Great
Great Italian Schubert!
a massive disappointment

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005MIZU
Release Date: 2005-07-13

Tracks:

Rosamunde: The Magic Harp: Ov, D.644
Incidental Music, D.797: No.2 Ballet Music I in b (Allegro Moderato -
Incidental Music, D.797: Andante Un Poco Assai)
Incidental Music, D.797: No.9: Ballet Music II in G (Andantino)
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: I. Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: II. Allegretto
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: III. Menuetto (Vivace) & Trio
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: IV. Presto Vivace
Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': I. Allegro Moderato
Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': II. Andante Con Moto

Tracks:

Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: I. Largo - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: II. Andante - Vars I-V
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: III. Allegro Vivace - Trio
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: IV. Presto
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': I. Adagio Molto - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': II. Andante
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': III. Menuetto (Allegro Vivace) & Trio
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in D, D.82: I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: II. Andante
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: III. Menuetto (Allegretto) & Trio
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: IV. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: I. Allegro
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: II. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: III. Menuetto (Allegro Molto) & Trio
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: IV. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': I. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': II. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': III. Scherzo (Allegro Vivace) & Trio
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': IV. Finale (Allegro Vivace)
Sym No.6 in C, D.589: I. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': II. Andante
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': III. Scherzo (Presto) & Trio (Piu Lento)
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': IV. Allegro Moderato

Customer Reviews:

Feels like a "pig-pile" on the bottom-most review.......2006-08-26

Not too often I hear something on NPR that makes me pull over and listen hard but that happened a short while back with the recording of Symphony #2 in this set. Picked the entire box set up and wowser. These are fast, exciting, absolutely buoyant performances. The orchestra plays miraculously. Couldn't be happier and at this price!!

For those that don't know the earlier Schubert symphonies--well, for the cost of one top-dollar CD you can hear them and you'll be amazed these aren't heard more often. Boy Schubert (many of these were written in his teens) may not have been the world's greatest symphonic crafts-person back then (he was merely very good with rough edges) but his full melodic genius was present when he was probably two years old. Here I am playing, and REALLY enjoying a symphony by a sixteen-year-old.

Beethoven allegedly saw a score of Schubert's before he died (Beethoven, not Schubert)and was quoted as saying, "HOLY MACKEREL! This kid's got the chops!" Beethoven talked like that sometimes.

Great.......2006-04-10

Ricardo Mutti takes the Wiener Philharmoniker to the best performance of Schubert's Symphonies. They are the best.

Great Italian Schubert!.......2005-10-28

I certainly disagree with the last review. Maybe for some people Muti's Schubert is at the first glance not 'deep' enough. But I have never heard the symphonies in such a joyful manner, with fast tempi all the way. And the Wiener Philharmoniker here clearly show why they are regarded as one of the finest orchestras of the world: their performance is close to perfection. -- Highly recommended!

a massive disappointment.......2005-08-04

this box-set is reasonably cheap but even its low cost has not been a consolation for my disappointment. Given my tastes, this is "cold" Schubert. To me the worst experience has come with the "Unfinished" symphony. One of the most tragic statement in music history is transformed in a lifeless, boring, scholastic exercise.
Please give me back Furtwangler, Klemperer and Bruno Walter!!!

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Elegant early Schubert
Rushed tempos and no competition for Bohm, Beecham, or Walter
Average
Sawallisch's Schubert : Passion and style par excellence !

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies, Vol. 2
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Beethoven: Complete Overtures
Méhul: The Complete Symphonies
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra

ASIN: B0000041CW
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 1. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 2. Andante
Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 3. Allegro
Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 4. Allegro vivace
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 1. Largo - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 2. Andante
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 3. Menuetto. Allegro vivace
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 4. Presto
Overtures In The Italian Style: No.1 In D, D.590
Overtures In The Italian Style: No.2 In C, D.591

Tracks:

Overture In E Minor, D.648
Overture In B Flat, D.470
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 1. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con brio
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 2. Allegretto
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 3. Menuetto. Vivace
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 4. Presto. Vivace
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 1. Adagio molto - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 2. Andante
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 3. Menuetto. Allegro vivace
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 4. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Elegant early Schubert.......2005-12-20

This first volume of the Schubert symphonies offers classy, gorgeously played accounts by the Dresden Staatskapelle with Wolfgang Sawallisch. Other reviewers mention Walter, Beecham and Bohm and rather than dispute the merits of those magnificent conductors I would simply say that Sawallisch at his best, as he is here, is of the same standing. The sound on this disc is crisp but warm late sixties analog with plenty of ringing presence to highlight the spectacular ensemble playing of one of the great "Eastern Bloc" orchestras of the Cold War.

Rushed tempos and no competition for Bohm, Beecham, or Walter.......2005-11-29

I'm sorry to write this, but Wolfgang Sawallisch's Schubert Symphonies strike me as having rushed tempos and are no competition for comparable recordings by Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (DG), Sir Thomas Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (EMI, Symphonies 3,5,6); or Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony (Sym. 5,9) or Walter/New York Philharmonic (Sym. 8) (all Sony "Bruno Walter edition"). Although the Dresden Staatskapelle plays at a very high standard, the tempos Sawallisch sets seem fast and breezy, and many musical details are lost in the haste. I expected more from this set than it delivered: Sawallisch is known as a sort of heir to Karl Bohm's musical legacy, at least with many performances at the Bavarian State Opera, and the excellence of his Mozart MAGIC FLUTE (Philips DVD or VHS) unfortuneatly does not apply here.

I would recommmend listeners go with Bohm/Berlin (DG, budget priced); Beecham/RPO (EMI, mid price); or the Walter releases (Sony, mid-price). There are also some fine recordings of Schubert 1,2,3,4, and 6 by Michael Halasz/Failoni Orchestra (Naxos), and Ormandy/Philadelphia in Schubert 4 (Sony "Essential Classics") is also very fine. There are other options, which I would recommend over this release.

Average.......2004-10-17

Sorry to say, I cannot agree with the other reviewer on the overall excellence of this recording. I find Sawallich tends to overdo the music in its dramatic moments, a sin he commits most blatantly in the opening movement of the "Tragic" Symphony No.4. The sobriquet "tragic" seems to Sawallich to mean "fast and dramatic". To others, it indicates something much different.

There is little in anything on the second CD of this set that compares with what I've heard of the better Schubert sets by Karajan, Bohm and Abbado. The first CD is better, however. In particular, Sawallich and his Dresden forces find a youthful sweep and majesty in the Symphony No. 1 and repeat some of that flight of fancy in the Symphony No. 2.

The four overtures on this CD conducted by Raymond Leppard reinforce his reputation as a specialist in Renaissance and Baroque music and his shortcomings in early Romantic repertoire. All told, I find no lasting enjoyment value in this set and am very disappointed with it. I hoped for better than this.

Sawallisch's Schubert : Passion and style par excellence !.......2002-10-05

These are extremely fine accounts of early Schubert, played with grace and style. I find myself in agreement with a reviewer (see his comments on volume two) who wondered how in the world Sawallisch has not been given more of the kind of praise other well known outstanding conductors have. As fine as his Schubert set is, Karl Bohm does not match the kind of flair which typifies the style of play offered here by Sawallisch and the Staatskapelle. Additionally, the sound of the Philips discs enhances the sense of fun and pleasure exuded by these youthful gems. One repeatedly gets the sense that this is the way Schubert should be played and enjoyed. In the overtures, Raymond Leppard does not really convey the kind of charm and spirit Sawallisch does in the symphonies. It might also be that the London Philharmonic does not have this music in their blood the way the Staatskapelle does. Sawallisch easily gets five stars. Leppard, if rated separately, would get three. Bravo the Sawallisch/Staatskapelle Schubert !

Average customer rating:

A Magnificent Set
Wonderful Performances
Learning to hear Schubert afresh
Definitive readings now, blueprints for the future
A perfect set!

Schubert: The Symphonies

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Dvorák: The Symphonies
Piano Trio in E Flat
Grieg: Complete Music with Orchestra

ASIN: B000000SK6
Release Date: 1993-10-05

Tracks:

Adagio. Allegro Vivace
Andante
Menuetto: Allegretto
Allegro Vivace
Adagio Molto/Allegro Vivace
Andante
Menuetto: Allegro vivace
Allegro

Tracks:

Largo. Allegro Vivace
Andante
Menuetto: Allegro Vivace
Presto Vivace
Adagio. Allegro
Andante
Presto. Piu lento
Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Adagio Maestoso; Allegro con brio
Allegretto
Menuetto: Vivace; Trio
Presto vivace
Allegro
Andante con moto
Menuetto: Allegro Molto
Allegro vivace
Allegro Moderato
Andante Con Moto

Tracks:

Andante Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Andante Con Moto
Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Allegro Vivace

Amazon.com

Everything that Nikolaus Harnoncourt does is interesting, and sometimes inspired. Even at his weirdest, he usually has a reason for doing what he does, and fortunately there's no need at all to make excuses for his marvelous Schubert symphonies. Of course, he has the Concertgebouw at his beck and call, which adds no small dimension to the success of these performances, but for the most part it's all Harnoncourt's show. Fresh, exciting, provocative, you will never hear Schubert the same way again. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A Magnificent Set .......2007-03-24

This set of the symphonies of Franz Schubert is arguably equal to the set of Claudio Abbado that won a Gramophone award. Like the Abbado set, Nicholas Harnoncourt has compared the published symphonies with the autograph scores and included several changes in these performances that are documented (at least in part) in the booklet. The numbering of the symphonies is based on the new Schubert Edition that leaves out the fragmentary Symphony No. 7.

The First Symphony, from 1813, blends together influence from Haydn (particularly in the Adagio beginning of the first movement) and Mozart, yet there also is the unmistakable voice of Schubert. The first movement is a pleasant Allegro that is well written for a teenager. The Andante has a fresh and beautiful melody followed by an energetic Minuetto and the Vivace finale picks up where the first movement left off, bringing the symphony to a sunny conclusion.

The Second Symphony begins with a brass introduction that reminds one of Beethoven that breaks into an energetic Vivace section which determines the character of the rest of the movement. The slow movement is a sweet and lyrical slow movement with a dance-like middle section and the Menuetto that follows is like a rustic country dance. The finale is boisterous in the manner of Beethoven with quieter passages for the winds and strings between.

The Third Symphony differs from its predecessor with a slow introduction punctuated by tympani before the lyrical main theme is played. The elegant slow movement, minuette and the energetic finale are beautifully played and certainly the equal of the famous recording by Carlos Kleiber.

The Fourth Symphony (called the Tragic) begins dark and stormy introduction which becomes an agitated interplay between the strings, winds and brass which gives way to a peaceful slow movement followed by a dance-like Menuetto. The finale returns to the storm clouds of the first movement but are more lyrical than dark which brings the symphony to a more joyous conclusion rather than a [...]-beating despair. The finale is somewhat like Beethoven in the use of the brass but the voice is still Schubert's.

The elegant Fifth Symphony is more Classical, harkening back to Mozart in form and with the lack of brass players. Here, it receives a vigorous performance with a bit more storm ton the music. The Sixth Symphony, rather unfairly called the "Little" C-major, begins with and introduction of bold brass and tymphani chords then introduces a rustic dance melody that sets the tone for the rest of the movement. The slow movement is peaceful and lyrical after the energetic first movement and is followed by a dance-like Scherzo that is reminiscent of earlier Menuetto movements. The finale has a stately, slower tempo (a little too slow considering the Allegro moderato marking) that is particularly well played by the Concertgebouw with each note nicely articulated.
Schubert's first six symphonies were written over a period of five years, with the so-called unfinished Seventh (formerly the Eighth) we enter a different world reflecting Schubert's belief that his youth was gone. The brooding music is beautifully performed by the Concertgebouw, beautifully phrased and played without any sentimentality. The Eighth Symphony (The Great formerly the Ninth) receives a magnificent reading.

The notes by Peter Hartling relate his personal feelings for Franz Schubert rather than provide information about the symphonies. Mr. Hartling sees the symphonies as a novel with each symphony as a chapter. While this essay is interesting I would also have liked some hard information like the dates of the symphonies, their performance and what Schubert may have thought of the work. Although I have individual recordings of Schubert's symphonies the Harnoncourt set will be the performances that I will turn to more often than the others.

Wonderful Performances.......2007-03-06

I concur with all previous reviews recommending this wonderful set. If you don't mind purchasing the download, itunes is offering it for a mere $19.99, with two bonus overtures thrown in to boot. How can you resist?

Learning to hear Schubert afresh.......2006-03-10

All the praise given below is justified--these are fresh, spontaneous readings with a great deal more nuance and inner life than we hear in the cycles by Colin Davis, Gunter Wand, and von Karajan. Like those, it's not a period approach, which is strange given Harnoncourt's advocacy of historical style. But he is idiosyncratic enough to give us retrograde Schubert--it's with a full modern orchestra playing with Romatic vibrato and lots of expression (Gott sei dank).

As much as I agree with the reviewers below, no one has pointed out that the big advance here has to do with our conception of Schubert as a naive songful genius with little talent for larger structures. Like Chopin, he has been viewed as a miniaturist. Harnoncourt doesn't accept the evolution of the symphonies that's usually portrayed, from the early hesitant gropings of youth to ful maturity only in the Unfinished and C major symphonies.

Listen to his account of Sym. #1 and what you hear is a confident symphonist whose style is firm and decisive, and whose aspiration is heroic. By playing this music on a Beethovenian scale, Harnoncourt makes it sound bigger and better than anyone ever guessed in the past. Suddenly we hear even the earliest output as vital and dramatic, thanks to Harnoncourt's ability to project those qualities. This is a landmark cycle, and I'm deeply grateful to have discovered it.

Definitive readings now, blueprints for the future.......2004-08-08

It is so rare that any one conductor is good in all the symphonies of one composer--I can only think of Toscanini with Beethoven (though not all of his best performances were from the official NBC set) and Mackerras with Mozart--that one is startled to find Nikolaus Harnoncourt, a very phlegmatic and stylistically uneven conductor, produce such a magnificent, monumental set. There is not one moment in any movement of any symphony where one does not hear something new and different, not from the urtext score but from what one is used to from more "standard" performances using Brahms', and others', reorchestrations of Schubert. I remember the late Klaud Tennstedt telling me in impassioned tones, for instance, of the very clearly marked diminuendo over the final chord of the great C Major symphony. Harnoncourt does this here, as well as using cut time rather than "standard" 4/4 for the opening of that symphony's first movement. And on and on it goes. I could write 1,000 words describing all of the piquant moments and surprising "changes" one hears in these urtext editions of the Schubert symphonies, but let me summarize by saying that once you hear this set you will have a hard time accepting anyone else's interpretations except perhaps Bohm in the 9th (a gorgeous performance, often overlooked by collectors) and Toscanini in the 5th (a landmark performance, the first in the last century to use the stripped-down orchestra Schubert wrote it for).

One small caveat. Because neither the "Gastein" symphony nor the "Grand Duo" rescored for orchestra are included as No. 7, the "Unfinished" is numbered No. 7 and the Great C Major No. 8. I really do wish that Harnoncourt had given us the Gastein No. 7 as discovered about 20 years ago. But that is a small complaint in a set so full of glories. This is where you start with Schubert now....and you may never go any further because you don't have to.

A perfect set!.......2004-02-25

Each performance is very well thought out. Instrumentation and detailing are very good, tempi are very well chosen. The gem of this box is the C major, Great Symphony. The First movement is amazing, you'll hear things you've never heard before. The fourth movement is absolutely amazing. And the inner movements, second and third, are very very good. The fourth symphony is very clean. The fifth symphony is light and youthful and energetic. The unfinished symphony is very dramatic, with lush strings and great brass.