Search - Schubert, Roy Goodman, Hanover Band :: Schubert: Symphonies / Hanover Band

Schubert Symphonies

Stephen E. Assey | Saratoga Springs, New York USA | 02/03/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Schubert's first 6 symphonies were written for either student or amatuer orchestras. To me, they have never sounded quite right when played by full symphonic orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, etc. These performances by the Handover Band, on period instruments, are played with great sparkle and energy. The later symphonies are excellant as well, with the 8th & 9th receiving performances of depth & substance.
The recordings are problematic as the winds sound very hazy & distant. For those who have equallizers, a 2db increase at 2K hz will bring the winds forward and therefore much easier to follow the lovely woodwind melodies. Buyers beware, there is no booklet or program notes of any kind. Still these performances comprise an excellant Schubert cycle and a great value."

Schubert + Hanover Band = Dreamy Goodness!

John | New York, NY USA | 01/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why no one has written a review about the Hanover Band's Schubert cycle just
blows me away. And there's all these folks that are just flabbergasted by the cycles
from Bohm or Abbado. Though they are very good indeed.
A lot of critical attention has been drawn to the reverberating acoustics in which these performances were taped. I applauded the 'natural' balance and perspective. The reverb may not be to everybody's taste, but it does mean that the brass can blare out without overriding the rest of the orchestra and gives the string tone a nice warmth.
While the woodwinds may at times be kind of ghostly this is really splitting hairs.
As for the performances, I personally find them far preferable to many other versions; there's a dream like quality about them. Overall these are played with great energy and charm, two qualities Schubert would have surely admired. It is a good back up set for those of you who already have a favorite set.
To sum it up the Hanover Band under Roy Goodman present some very good performances of Schubert`s symphonies. It's like hearing this music in a whole new light."

Measured and satisfying

Garry Feeney | Sydney. Australia | 03/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is set is more than worth the money.



The only other "set" of these symphonies I have owned was the old set with Karl Bohm. That is something of a benchmark, especially if you are looking for "Viennese Flavour". If you love the New Year's televised concert by the VPO, you'll love the Bohm set.



Frankly, Bohm is just a little sweetly cloying, but I love it in symphonies like No. 2, even though, like candy, I know it's bad for me. Bad, at least, for my musical sensibilities.



Goodman is VERY musical but never cloying. This effect is enhanceced but the ambient "natural" sounding recording. This Nimbus recording recesses the winds and the brass and stops them from sounding like they are playing right in your ear. (Some people like that.)



The overall effect returns us to the music, to Schubert, I believe. That's as it should be."