Karajan's cool, impersonal Schubert doesn't feel right
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 01/16/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I am mystified by Karajan's unsatisfactory DG account of the Schubert "Unfinished" from 1964, which manages to sound impeccable in execution and soulless emotionally. Almost none of his Schubert over the years has sounded right to me -- for one thing, it's overblown. The massive scale of this reading ignores the fact that Schubert's instrumentation is Haydnesque. Wind solos in the second movement are also efficient and impersonal here, belying the simplicity and warmth so essential to Schubert's music. Karajan went on in the Seventies to record a complete Schubert cycle for EMI that suffers from the same faults to an even greater degree. I had hoped that this earlier version of the Eighth and Ninth (newly remastered and in better sound than on a former mid-price release in the Galleria line) would seem more humane.
In fact, the Ninth, though a bit too coolly proficient, comes off better -- the symphony is built on a larger scale, which helps. An overall timing of 45+ min. indicates how brisk Karajan's pace is (Klemperer takes 53 min. and doesn't sound too slow). Sometimes the speed is invigorating, but there's not much room for affectionate lingering and tender phrasing. Clearly Karajan was after neither. The opening fanfare in the finale sounds hectic and blatty, despite the BPO's virtuosity. Unless you know in advance that you admire these performances, I'd pass this CD up. For Karajan's best "Unfinished," go to an EMI budget release from 1955, an obscure early stereo account with the Philharmonia that avoids almost all the flaws mentioned above. It's coupled with a great Brahms Second from the same time period."
THE FINEST RECORDING OF THE SCHUBERT "UNFINISHED" SYMPHONY!
Dub Taylor | Paris, France | 03/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of all the recordings of the Schubert Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished" I have listened to over the years (and there have been many), this is the most magical one I have ever heard. I am not an unquestioning fan of Karajan, but he got it right this time. The underlying tension, the melancholy and polished playing by the Berlin Philharmonic: It's all here! There are other recordings by Karajan of this masterpiece (too bad Franz didn't finish it) but this DG 1965 verson is THE ONE. I'm happy to see it available again. It was previously issued on CD coupled with the Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 "Italian". Now it has been remastered and put with the Symphony No. 9 "The Great" (which makes much more sense). One of those desert island discs!"
Solid version of these two Schubert symphonies
Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 11/09/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"These two symphonies are among the best known compositions of Franz Schubert, who died far too young. Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic play well in performing these two pieces.
First, Symphony # 8, "The Unfinished Symphony." The first movement begins softly and then moves to a much fuller sound. There is a bit of melancholia and a brooding sense to this movement. There are differing dynamics in this movement. This movement closes out elegiacally. The second movement begins quietly and reflectively. It builds nicely and closes out, again, elegiacally. I am not sure that this represents von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic at their best, but it is an effective version, quite contemplative.
Symphony # 9? I have heard some refer to this as Beethoven's 10th Symphony, and, indeed, to my untutored ears, there are hints here and there--especially in the 4th movement. The first movement begins with horns playing elegantly. Indeed, elegant is an appropriate term to characterize the entire movement. After the horns, the strings set things off nicely. Well done movement.
Rather than going from movement to movement and taking too much space, let's move to the fourth movement. If the 9th of Schubert can be termed Beethoven's 10th, this is where it might be most apparent. The underlying them is almost reminiscent of the Ode to Joy theme in Beethoven (I wouldn't make too much of this, but I can at least understand the equation). On its own merits, of course, this movement is terrific. Von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic provide dynamics and tension in the music as things develop. The finale is glorious, with much power.
So, I understand that von Karajan draws much criticism, but I think that this is a good version of these two redoubtable symphonies. Worth listening to. . . .
"
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1