Search - Schubert, Harnoncourt, Royal Concertgebouw Orch :: Schubert: Sym Nos 1-9

Wonderful Schubert Cycle

Prescott Cunningham Moore | 09/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are plenty of wonderful Schubert cycles currently on the market, from Bohm, Kertesz, Wand, and Bruggen. But Harnoncourt's cycle with the Concertgebouw stands out in this glutted field as one of the best. As with any Harnoncourt performance, there are certainly some unique moments, unearthed details, and a dose a hearty dose of Harnoncourt's own brand of quirky energy. Indeed, I will never warm to Harnoncourt's all-too-literal observance of the allegretto marking in the finale of the Sixth or his general decision to apply a diminuendo to the final chords of several of the performances. However, as with his Mozart and Haydn, Harnoncourt's interpretations completely serve the music like a hand-in-glove and the level of energy, excitement, vigor, and brio breaths life into these lyric masterpieces.



There are literally no weak points in this set. Just listen to the arresting opening of the Fourth Symphony, Harnoncourt setting the stage for a thrilling performance, even at Harnoncourt's somewhat deliberate pace. Compare that to the allegro of the Fifth Symphony, which dances from the speakers with youthful charm. Harnoncourt's crisp attention to rhythm saves the first movement of the Third from sounding repetitive while the andante of the Eighth is as lovingly phrased as any of the other magnificent performances of the Unfinished. Harnoncourt observes the first movement repeat in the Great Symphony, but the performance never sounds long, Harnoncourt delivering one magnificent performances of Schubert's greatest symphonic masterpiece.



Of course, Harnoncourt has the very-responsive Concertgebouw at his fingertips, with stunning strings, mellifluous winds, and big, burnished brass playing to the hilt. But this is still Harnoncourt's show. The recorded sound is clear, the orchestra is realistically placed in the center of aural landscapes with the bloom of the Concertgebouw registering perfectly.



There are many wonderful performances of these symphonies, and everyone will have their favorite Unfinished and Great Symphony, but as a cycle as a whole, this set is so well played and conducted, its practically self-recommending."