Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Charles Mackerras, Philharmonia Orchestra of London :: Schubert: Symphony No. 9

A Great Performance in Great Sound

kakistocracy | Omaha, NE United States | 05/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
More than a few discs of Schubert's 9th also have room for the "Unfinished" 8th, but Mackerras takes all the repeats here for a total of 59'04". This live performance has such a propulsive yet cohesive flow that the repeats add to the sense of fulfillment, as does the recorded sound, which has exceptional depth in the lower registers and a wealth of balanced but well differentiated detail. My overall impression is of inexhaustible richness and exuberance.



Among other remarkable performances of this work, Mackerras and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment from 1987 has similar scope and energy, but the sharper attack and less homogeneous coloration of the period instruments create a somewhat different sound world. (I regard Mackerras' 1998 performance with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as good but sort of clinical in mood and sound.) Sinopoli's more compact 1992 performance in Dresden is intensely driven and imbued with imposing Brucknerian contrasts. Karajan's 1969 interpretation with the Berlin Philharmonic on DG is overpowering and shuns all geniality. It is paced relentlessly with strongly delineated, terraced dynamics. Furtwangler's studio recording from 1952 (incredibly, the sound is nearly competitive) demonstrates that conductor's amazing ability to shape highly characterized structural elements into an exhilarating whole.



None of these earlier performances were recorded with such an engrossing sound stage as this newcomer."