Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic :: Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 8 "Unfinished" & 9 "The Great"

The Great Indeed

10/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd is absolutely necessary for anyone who wants a well-rounded cd collection. It is an impeccable recording (as are most Bernstein Century recordings) of two excellent pieces. The low strings have a unity that is entirely impressive, and the brass simply adds a flavor to the music that enthralls the listener. I obviously give this recording the highest recommendation."

Magnificent! Who would have thought?

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though critics never mention them, these readings of the Schubert 'Unfinished' and Sym. #9 could be anybody's first choice. I own a hundred Bernstein CDs and yet had passed this one over, thinking that the performances would be romantically exaggerated and out of style. In fact they are wonderful: propulsive, lyrical, and really focused on the musicality of Schubert rather than Bernstein's own personality. Good, clear recordings in the big NY Phil. style of those days, and except for a punchy ending to the first movement of the Ninth, I was carried along by the buoyancy and joy of Bernstein's approach in every bar.



P.S. _ Only later did I hear LB's remake of both works on DG with the Concertgebouw. There, I think the magic is gone, although they are nice engouh readings in their straightforward way."

Outstanding Schubert!...

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 03/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

".

Usually I prefer Bohm and the BPO with Schubert: they bring a Brucknerian reading.



But I've just gotta say that Lenny and the NYP really had some chemistry going on with the realization of Schubert's two great symphonies: one might say they bring a Mahlerian reading to the scores.



Really good.

."