Search - Schubert, Leonard Bernstein, Concertgebouworkest Amsterdam :: Schubert: Symphony No. 9 Great in C Major, D 944

This is Bernstein's Schubert 9 from the Concertgebouw, Amste

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 11/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Schubert's Symphony 9 in C Major, "The Great" is actually the Deutsche Grammophon (DG) recording by the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam (Netherlands), NOT the New York Philharmonic recording, available from Sony Classical, an earlier recording. Bernstein's Concertgebouw recording was made in 1987, and is in digital sound. It is very fine digital sound: warm, atmospheric, and rich in every register. Some DG recordings, especially those of Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic made in the 1980s tend to have weak bass frequencies, but this recording does not. Actually, in the words of one reviewer in "American Record Guide", "This recording has it all," and having listened to it, I can say, "It does."



The performance is every bit as fine as the recording. Bernstein chose sensible tempos when this was recorded, and the Allegros really sizzle with life and forward motion when needed. II is not overly slow or profound, and IV does not have the exposition repeat with Georg Solti takes in his Decca recording with the Vienna Philharmonic.



This disc lasts only 50 minutes, but is well worth the investment. There are other fine Schubert 9ths if you aren't a Bernstein fan: Walter/Columbia (Odyssey), Bohm/Berlin (DG), and Solti/Vienna (Decca), but this one is very good. I bought it recently, and am very happy I did. Recommended."

A great conductor takes it easy

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 12/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although the Gramophone reviewer heard this as a surprisingly fast reading, it's only a minute or two off the avrage. In other regards it's also average -- Bernstein seems uninvolved, content to preside over a great orchestra as it moves along, basking in the Concertgebouw's famous amber sound. If I had attended the concert in 1987, I would have been happy, I suppose, but to tell the truth, the last thing I want from Bernstein is sensible tempos and relaxed interpretations. One of Bernstein's great strengths was his rhythmic vitality, but that's little in evidence here. Accents are softened, tempos changes rounded off.



As an alternative, the younger Bernstein made a spellbinding, energetic Ninth during his NY Phil. years; it can be had on Sony with the Unfinished Sym. as a filler (it, too, is given a great performance). This CD will appeal mostly to listeners who want to hear a riveting conductor in a genial mood. The sonics are very good, reflecting the warm acoustic of the Concertgebouw."