Search - Schubert, Norrington, Camerata Salzburg :: Schubert: Symphonies No. 3 & 8 and Overture in the Italian Style No. 1

Excellent Live Recordings of Schubert Symphonic Works Courte

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 07/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eminent British conductor Sir Roger Norrington led the Camerata Salzburg in these riveting, period instrument-informed, performances of Schubert's Overture in the Italian Style no. 1, D major D590, Symphony no. 3 in D major D200, and Symphony no. 8 in B minor D759 "Unfinished" back in the Spring of 2002. This is a rather unadorned live recording, which - as the liner notes observe - may remind listeners of the sound quality of early stereo recordings, since only two mikes were used, giving listeners the experience of hearing the orchestra from the front row seats of the Mozarteum Salzburg's Great Hall. It also emphasizes Norrington's reliance on pure tone, as opposed to vibrato, even with modern instruments like those used by the Camerata Salzburg; a chamber music ensemble that consists of slightly more than thirty musicians. To sum it up, Norrington obtains virtuoso playing from his ensemble, rich in precise intonation. As an interpreter, Norrington opts for brisk tempi and lean textures, which, especially, can be heard in his riveting interpretation of the Schubert "Unfinished" Symphony. While traditionalists may dislike Norrington's reliance on period instrument practice, there is still ample artistic merit in the performances of each of these Schubert works that ought to delight most fans of Schubert's beloved oeuvre. As for me, this has to be one of the most exciting live performance concert recordings of Schubert's music that I've heard, and one I recommend highly, without any hesitation.

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