Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Felix [1] Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann :: Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann: Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon [Box Set]

Some Of Bernstein's Most Memorable Deutsche Grammophon Recor

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 05/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fans of Leonard Bernstein's conducting have much to enjoy in this fine commemorative box set which includes all of his recordings of several Schubert, Mendelssohn and Schumann orchestral works for Deutsche Grammophon in the 1980s. More importantly, this set contains some of his best recordings. Among my favorites are his Schubert symphony recordings made with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Of these, his electrifying, swift account of the Schubert 9th Symphony remains among the finest recorded, blessed by superlative playing from the Concertgebouw Orchestra, especially its winds and strings. Bernstein doesn't seek emotional pyrotechnics from the orchestra, relying instead on swift tempi. His recordings of the Schubert 5th and 8th symphonies are also highly recommended, featuring exceptional playing from the Concertgebouw Orchestra. In stark contrast, his celebrated Schumann symphony cycle with the Wiener Philharmoniker (which has been available separately as a two CD set) is replete with emotion, and what could be charitably described as Bernstein's unique, quite mannered interpretations of these scores. Without question, this box set is yet another reason showing Bernstein's excellence as one of the great conductors of the 20th Century, and one which should be popular with his fans and others interested in his legendary career."

A mixed bag, with a scarcity of great performances

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 12/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It was good of DG to reissue all of Bernstein's recordings in several multi-disc box sets at bargain price, but this one devoted to Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Schumann is one of the less desirable. To my mind, only the four Schumann symphonies with the Vienna Phil. count as great performances, and they have long been available as a budget two-fer. The sonics remain a bit scrappy, however. It's not company policy to remaster old material when it's reissued at a lower price, except for the "Originals' series, so far as I can tell.



The weakest items are the three Mendelssohn symphonies with the Israel Phil., who simply sound second-rate, and Bernstein himself is not in best form, either. Comparison with his great 'Scotch' Sym. on Sony with the NY Phil. reveals a different conductor from the relaxed, fairly inattentive one he is here. Also to be recommended is the 'Italian' Sym. from New York, an early recording made soon after Bernstein took over the orchestra; it's full of life, if a trifle short of the glory of the 'Scotch.' An earlier 'Reformation' Sym. isn't so successful, being on the coarse side, but the remake from Israel is no great shakes, either.



Better than good are the three Schubert symphonies, but again no match for Bernstein's earlier and very impressive Sym. #8 and #9 from New York. Still, these later accounts are far ahead of the Israel Phil. for execution. The Concertgebouw, playing in concert from 1987, are genial and golden sounding. Bernstein approaches even the monumentality of the Ninth in a relaxed mood. All three Schubert recordings are exemplay and won praise at the time, but frankly, I don't listen to Bernstein for relaxed geniality.



Which leaves the two items I had never heard before, the Schumann piano and cello concertos. Bernstein was rarely at his strongest as an accompanist, with some notablee exceptions (such as his galvanizing Beethoven concertos with Rudolf Serkin), and these two readings feel middle-of-the-road. Mischa Maisky is soft-grained and lyrical in the cello concerto, a work which really needs something extra, either Rostropovich's heroic attack or du Pre's intense emotional commitment. Justus Franz is proficient and rather faceless in the piano cncerto, content to stay on the civilized side rather than making a real statement a la Pollini or Richter.



Overall assessment? At his best, Bernstein was one of the greatest conductors of Schumann, so the symphonies aren't to be missed, either in these Vienna performances or the earlier cycle from New York (neither set is in excellent sound, sadly). Otherwise, one is better off seeking out the previous recordings on Sony and skipping the two Schumann concertos altogether."

Beautiful Recording

musical chemist | Houston, TX | 09/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bernstein never fails to make great music. There is definite expression and phrasing, and the recording quality is superb. I purchased this recording over others because I felt as though Bernstein really brought life to the music."