Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Sir Thomas Beecham Conducts Schubert

Great performance, problematic sound issues

Martin Selbrede | The Woodlands, Texas | 01/16/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It IS possible to get a clean mono sound onto a CD. The Karel Ancerl Gold series proves that it can be done -- sound so well remastered and de-hissed, so vividly captured and richly detailed, you hardly notice it's mono you're listening to.



This is NOT the case here. There is moderately strong hiss and background noise throughout. The music is well-captured (remarkably so), but it's held back in having its full effect by the distractions in which it's embedded. It becomes a strain trying to appreciate Beecham's achievement. I think it's worth the strain and effort, but prospective buyers should be mindful of this circumstance.



In all other particulars the previous reviewer's opinion is essentially on the mark, particularly in regards to the earlier symphonies. It's remarkable to learn that those two works were very, very new in Beecham's repertoire at the time of recording (ca. 1952-53). His natural gifts simply abounded to Schubert's benefit.



I compared Beecham's 8th to several modern stereo versions (Sinopoli, Sawallisch and Abbado) and an LP mono version (Keilberth). I own (but have yet to listen to) the Muti, Marriner, and Kubelik full Schubert box sets, so this verdict is provisional, but it seems to me that Beecham does indeed stand toe-to-toe, interpretationally, with other versions of this work. Unless my unopened box sets reveal something earth-shattering, I'd have to agree with the previous reviewer once again.



Conclusion: buy this with your eyes open, but for those who can appreciate historic achievements despite the deficiencies of historic recording techniques and less-than-ideal modern processing and re-mastering, this can be recommended."

Essential!

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a wonderful Schubertian Beecham was! For me, these performances of the first two symphonies are simply unmatched by anything recorded before or since. They are the only versions you will want or need. The "Unfinished" is, of course, a more competitive field - but even here, this Beecham belongs among the very finest ever: Furtwangler, Mengelberg, Abendroth, and Fritz Lehmann (the latter has not yet made it to CD). And in the 2nd movement, no one has matched the hypnotic lyricism mined by Beecham. This is an indispensable disc!My only complaint: why on earth has Sony not released this in the United States? But then, even the premium price of this import is worth it in exchange for such vital artistry."

Great performances - an essential disc

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 03/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sir Thomas Beecham's Schubert recordings demonstrate his superb understanding of this music. On this disc, we hear his very fine performances of symphonies nos. 1, 2 and 8. The interpretations of two first symphonies are probably the best available. The "Unfinished", however, is better served elsewhere (e.g., Abendroth, Furtwängler, Munch, Szell), but Beecham's understanding is again very illuminating and moving as well.



The mono sound is excellent - don't let the previous review prevent you from grabbing this disc for technical reasons. The sound is full-bodied, reasonably clear and detailed.

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