Search - Berlin Philharmonic, Daniel Barenboim :: Schubert: Symphony No. 3 In D Major, D. 200 & No. 5 In B-Flat Major, D. 485

Good, Clean Sound, But Not the Best Performances Available

Eugene G. Barnes | Dunn Loring, VA USA | 03/07/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Berliners are at home with this music, but seem to have responded better for their old Maestro, von Karajan (in analog sound) than they did for Barenboim (in this 1986 digital recording). The Third Symphony, unjustly neglected (as are all the early Schubert symphonies) is the better of the two offerings here. The first three movements are particularly well done, but the last movement seems to suffer from bad stick technique, as if the players aren't sure whether to play the downbeat or the grace note on the beat. This of course is barely perceptible, but a close listening catches it. Barenboim has taken a long time to become a good conductor.The Schubert Fifth is, of course, a well-known piece of music, and it must be difficult for professional orchestra musicians to keep from falling asleep playing the thrice-familiar riffs. The Berliners are fairly successful at that, but there is still a listlessness about it that is troubling. Some climaxes, particularly in the final movement, just don't climax the way you want them to. Why this holding back? Some sense that Schubert is too delicate to sustain a rip-roaring passage? Other conductors don't have that sense, and I think the music is better served in their interpretation.Having said all that, I still react relatively positively to these performances - Columbia has coaxed nice crisp sound out of this overly reverberant hall, and the musicianship is usually exemplary. This is a first class orchestra, and they don't have a problem letting everyone know that."

Ingratiating

David Saemann | 11/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When the Berlin Philharmonic became embroiled in controversy with Herbert von Karajan in the 1980's, one of the orchestra's demands was that they be allowed to record with Daniel Barenboim. I think this CD was their second recorded collaboration, and it certainly evinces much good will among the players toward their conductor. First of all, the sound engineering on this CD, even though it was released as long ago as 1986, is excellent. The sound of the orchestra is rich and full bodied, with a pleasing ambience. As for the performances, they are fully up to the standard of my previous favorites, Beecham's with the Royal Philharmonic. The sound of the Berliners is richer and more wood toned that Beecham's orchestra, with no loss of control or subtlety. The wind playing is especially notable. Perhaps the highlight of the album is the slow movement of the Fifth, in which Barenboim's moderate tempos and the sonority of the orchestra create an evanescent beauty. Not that there is any lack of vigor in the outer movements of these works, but control and dexterity is always in evidence. In sum, it would be almost impossible to surpass these performances."