Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Michael Halasz, Failoni Orchestra :: Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6

Naxos provides a great budget recording of Schubert 3 and 6

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 12/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Naxos provides a great budget recording of Schubert Symphonies 3 and 6 with the Failoni Chamber Orchestra under Michael Halasz.

The recording job is warm, clear and natural, and strings and winds have nice impact when needed in these smaller scaled, more Classical works of Schubert.



There are other recordings of these works, especially Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (EMI), which are the best on disc, and unlikely to ever be surpassed. Halasz won't erase memories of Beecham, but he is very good and doesn't rush through important moments or passages, especially in the slow movements. The Failoni, a Budapest ensemble, are very fine, and serve Schubert's music very well.



The big difference between this and Beecham is the size of the orchestra: the Failoni are a large chamber orchestra, and smaller than Beecham's Royal Philharmonic. But Halasz takes more repeats, and his Minuets are faster paced than Beecham's. (Some listeners dislike this practice, to others it does not matter.) Halasz, however, is MUCH TO BE PREFERRED over Goodman/Hanover Band (Nimbus - period instruments) and Abbado/Chamber Orchestra of Europe (DG - modern instruments). You really cannot go wrong with Halasz, unless you MUST have Beecham; better yet: buy both discs!"

Delightful CD of Schubert Symphonies 3 and 6

JohnL | Alexander, NC United States | 04/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These certainly are not "dull", or "flat" renditions of two of Schubert's Symphonies, as suggested by the previous reviewer. I do agree that they are nicely played, however there is no lack of charm and emotion. Of course, especially in the Third Symphony, there is not a great deal of ingenuity and depth. But, after all, Franz was still only a teenager. It is a light, sparkling work in the sunny key of D Major. The strings play with grace, and the woodwind players provide delicate color. The resonant acoustic is not overly so, thus the result is attractive. Schubert's 'Little' C Major Symphony, No.6, was completed less than three years after his Third. Schubert was now about 20 years old. His previous Symphony, No.5, is considered a masterpiece of his early years, as he temporarily stopped emulating Beethoven, creating a very cheerful, happy work. But alas, by this time period Rossini was the rage across Europe, and Schubert went back to partially emulating the great Italian opera composer, and, once again, Beethoven. Some good forward strides were made though by Schubert in this Symphony. The result is a somewhat uneven work, but still with much to be enjoyed. In some ways hints of the greatness that he finally achieved in his "Unfinished" (numbered 8) and the aptly named "Great C Major", No.9, are found in this Sixth Symphony. Once again, there is no lack of freshness and life in the playing and performance of this work on this CD. The Penguin Guide gave this a 3-star review ("outstanding"), and this is arguably the best of the Schubert cycle on Naxos, conducted by Michael Halasz. Warmly recommended."