Schubert: Symphonies 3 & 4

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 3 in D major, D. 200
Composed by Franz Schubert

Conducted by Helmuth Rilling

2. Symphony No. 4 in C minor ("Tragic"), D. 417
Composed by Franz Schubert

Conducted by Helmuth Rilling

Tracks:

Rigaudon - Empire Brass
Sinfonia - Michael Murray
Toccata - Michael Murray
Wedding March - Michael Murray
The Prince Of Denmark's March - Michael Murray
Trumpet Tune In D Major - Michael Murray
Te Deum - Michael Murray
Ave Maria - Michael Murray
Canon In D Major - Yolanda Kondonassis
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Yolanda Kondonassis
Prelude No. 1 In C Major - Yolanda Kondonassis
Entrance Of The Queen Of Sheba - Keith Clark
Air - Orchestra Of St. Luke's
Hornpipe - Orchestra Of St. Luke's
Rondeau - Empire Brass
Unchained Melody - Erich Kunzel
Through The Eyes Of Love - William Tritt
Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet - William Tritt
The Wedding Song (There Is Love - Danny Donnelly
Dodi Li - Shira Kammen

Tracks:

Rondeau - Michael Murray
Sheep May Safely Graze - Michael Murray
Ave Maria - Michael Murray
Gymnopedie No. 1 - Michael Chertock
Clair De Lune - Michael Chertock
Adagio Sostenuto - Michael Chertock
Largo - Angel Romero
Largo - Larry Cooperman
Largo - Keith Clark
Allegro - Boston Symphony Orchestra
Adagio In G Minor For Strings - Keith Clark
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Leonard Slatkin
Adagio For Strings - Erich Kunzel
'Treulich Gefuart,' Bridal Chorus - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Wedding March - Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

GORGEOUS!.......2007-06-13

I wish this CD had been around when I was planning my wedding as it would have been great for helping the bride to select music! Still, it's wonderful to listen to now.

Wonderful intro To MEHDl ..........2006-06-08

I've always enjoyed Great Wedding music and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this site I discovered a group by the name of MEHDl (pronounced medie). After an online search I found their site (S00THINGMUSIC,C0M) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to these CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still a Tomaso Albinoni fan of, I find MEHDl to be a great addition to this CD. I had them both in my multi-disc CD player during the wedding and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.

great.......2006-02-19

Highly recommended. Even has suggestions for pre-ceremony, processional, ceremony, and recessional inside. 2 different versions of Midsummer Night's Dream march included - one with trumpet and organ and one with a full orchestra. Lots of great selections, well recorded.

The Complete Wedding Album.......2005-08-05

This album has a lot of great wedding music. It had all of the songs I was looking for. There also is great background music for the ceremony. Glad I purchased it

Almost the compete wedding album.......2004-05-07

I used this cd to help me plan which songs I wanted to use for each part of the wedding. This cd helps you suggest the placement for the prelude, processional, ceremony and recessional. The cd mainly has classical songs, but it does have a few of "today's" songs. There could have been a few more songs they could have added. But overall, its a good cd.

Average customer rating:

Overall- A very good value
Excellent Schubert from Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic
Average Sound Quality but Great Packaging and Great Value for Money!!
Great performances
Beautiful, but a bit heavy at times

Schubert: 8 Symphonies

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

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Similar Items:

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Schumann: The 4 Symphonies
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Dvorák: The Symphonies
Mahler: The Complete Symphonies

ASIN: B00005KK4P
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 1. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 2. Andante
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: 4. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 1. Largo - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 2. Andante - Vars I-V
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace - Trio
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: 4. Presto Vivace

Tracks:

Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 1. Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 2. Allegretto
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 3. Menuetto. Vivace
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: 4. Presto Vivace
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 1. Adagio Molto - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 2. Andante
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 3. Menuetto. Allegro Vivace - Trio
Sym No.4 in c, D.417: 4. Allegro

Tracks:

Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 1. Allegro
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 3. Menuetto. Allegro Molto - Trio
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: 4. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 1. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 2. Andante
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 3. Scherzo. Presto - Piu Lento
Sym No.6 in C, D.589 'Little C Major Sym': 4. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': 1. Allegro Moderato
Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 1. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 2. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 3. Scherzo. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.9 in C, D.944: 4. Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Overall- A very good value.......2007-04-07

There is no way for me to make my review short and sweet, so instead I will point out EVERYTHING I can about these CD's, and then you can decide if this product is right for you. I have always been a big fan of Mozart and Beethoven, and only recently have learned to appreciate the genius of Schubert. I have listened to over four versions of the 4th, 8th, and 9th symphonies, and I would put these versions somewhere in the middle of the pack. In my opinion they are better that The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields's version (Which is TOO FAST) but not as good as Claudio Abbado and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Abbado's versions are BEAUTIFUL recordings, but that set costs over $150. Let's face it, you get what you pay for. (FYI -I have never heard Muti's versions). Now, as far as the actual fidelity/ sound quality of the recordings, they are just a notch below the rest. I did notice this when I played several versions back-to-back with this one. (Once again- you get what you pay for). If you are a casual listener of classical music, or you are looking for an economical way to get exposure to all of Schubert's symphonies, then this is probably the right set for you. (How can you beat the price ??) If you are a real die- hard classical listener, I want to point out one other thing: These versions do not repeat the exposition in the first movements. They play it once and then go right to the development section. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about- ignore this- never mind, and think about the other things that I said. I hope that I have been helpful. I will finish by saying that I'm amazed by the genius of Schubert and his music, and I encourage anyone who loves classical music to listen to these symphonies (esp 4,8, and 9) regardless of which version you buy.

Excellent Schubert from Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic.......2007-03-23

Karl Bohm's recordings of the Schubert Symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic were made in 1963 (Symphonies 8 and 9), 1966 (Symphonies 5 and 6), and 1972 (Symphonies 1,2,3, and 4) and still stand up well today.
Bohm has a superb command of each symphony's architecture, and DG's recorded sound in all one could ask for: much better than Karajan's 1980s Berlin recordings for DG.

I believe Bohm's Schubert recordings are better than the more recent DG's of Abbado/Chamber Orchestra of Europe, which strike me as rather light and chamber like by comparison. Since I like big orchestra Schubert, I prefer Bohm.

Karl Bohm lived 1894-1981, and began making recordings with the Dresden State Orchestra in 1934. I highly recommend Bohm's Schubert cycle, and also his Mozart Symphonies (DG, also with the Berlin Philharmonic) and Beethoven Symphonies (DG, 1970-72, in three different Doubles releases, with the Vienna Philharmonic), essential to any collection of great music.

Average Sound Quality but Great Packaging and Great Value for Money!!.......2006-06-18

You'd be hard pressed to find a better performance of all Schubert's 8 Symphonies than the ones in this very well designed and packaged box set by Karl Bohm and the Berlin Philharmonic. The only knock on this collection is that the sound quality, although listed at ADD standard isn't the best. This can be attributed to the analog master and the age of the recordings but I have heard worse like disc 2 of the similar Mendelssohn package. Still, this is overall a worthwhile package to get for all Schubert fans. Recommended.

Great performances.......2005-03-28

This set is absolutely wonderful. Karl Bohm delivers a great performance for each and every symphony. The interpretations of these beautiful works are great, and this is a very enjoyable complete set. I did not find this set to be "a bit heavy at times," but just right. The sound quality is excellent. Highly recommended.

Beautiful, but a bit heavy at times.......2004-07-04

I agree with one of the reviewers here: sometimes Bohm's tempi are a bit slow, especially in the first movement of the 'Unfinished'. The sound of the strings is overall excellent but heavy for Schubert. Otherwise, the performances display a great vitality and impecable phrasing. Great value!

Average customer rating:

A perfect blend of music !
Beautiful
Beautiful Music
Very Pleased!
VERY VERY GOOD

Jane Austen Companion

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music
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Pride and Prejudice: The Original Soundtrack from the A&E Special Presentation
Jane Austen's Songbook
English Country Dances
Sense and Sensibility: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1995 Film)
Emma: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture

ASIN: B0000037IK
Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

String Symphony No. 4: Andante
Symphony In F Major: Andante
Concerto In E Major For Trumpet, Oboe d'amore, Violin, Strings And Continuo: Affettuoso
Overture No. 5 In E Major: Andante
Violin Concerto In C Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 6 In F Major: Larghetto
Cello Concerto In C Major: Adagio
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major: I Allegro
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat Major: II Moderato e dolce
Symphony No. 3 In C Major: Andante
Symphony No. 94 in G Major: Menuet & Trio
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major: Andante con moto
Symphony No. 2 In A Major: Vivace
Trumpet Concerto In E Flat Major: Andante
Symphony No.1 in D Major: Andante

Amazon.com

If the people at Nimbus are smart, they'll do a whole collection of discs on this theme. The literary-musical connection is, when done tastefully, as it is here, irresistible. As the intelligent and interesting notes maintain, "London at the time of Jane Austen was one of the most exciting centers in all of Europe for music," and this was an era of great fertility of composers in general. Lucky Jane! Imagine publishing your second novel the same year that Beethoven's Seventh Symphony receives its premiere. Or offering your fourth novel to the public near the time of the first performance of Schubert's Fifth Symphony. The program highlights popular music from Austen's time by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Fasch, J.C. Bach, Boyce, Schubert and others. I find the exclusion of chamber music a little odd here, though, since chamber music was the rage among the sort of gentlemen and women of the country about whom Austen wrote so well. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

A perfect blend of music ! .......2006-11-23

I decided to try this cd based on the good reviews it got and I'm certainly glad I did ! The music is just perfect for relaxing and filling the house with all the old classical masterpieces. A good buy that that's well worth the money!

Beautiful.......2006-11-20

The more I listen to this cd, the more I love it!! It is very beautiful.

Beautiful Music.......2006-10-02

A great price for such a beautiful CD.
This CD is a must have if you love Jane Austen.
Buy this CD, you will not be disappointed!

Very Pleased!.......2005-09-28

If you like slow beautiful music, this is for you.
Austen has a great taste for harmonic melodies.
I've listen to this CD over and over again.
I still enjoy the beautiful music!

VERY VERY GOOD.......2004-03-07

If you love classical music while reading, relaxing or having a bit of tea, you won't regret getting this album. I personally love it to bits, worth every penny!

Schubert: Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9; Rosamunde Overture

Average customer rating:

Is it real?
Karajan marches on
Sterling 9th
Unconvincing big-band performances without charm
Karajan's Schubert Cycle Reissued for Cheap!

Schubert: Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9; Rosamunde Overture

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Schubert: Symphonies 1-4; Rosamunde ballet music
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-98
Schumann: The Four Symphonies
Haydn: Symphonies #99-104; Sir Thomas Beecham; Royal Philharmonic
Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3 & 4 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B0002XV2YS
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Rosamunde Overture, D644
I. Allegro
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Menuetto E Trio: Allegro Molto
IV. Allegro Vivace
I. Adagio - Allegretto
II. Andante
III. Scherzo: Presto - Trio: Piu Lento
IV. Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante Con Moto
I. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Scherzo E Trio: Allegro Vivace
IV. Finale: Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews:

Is it real?.......2007-03-20

When I saw this CD here at Amazon and noticed such a low price the first thing that came to my mind is how "Such a superb Art", how "Such fine piece of Music ever" composed by one of the "Greatest Masters" ever has such a low price while you can see mediocre people buying things like madonna and beyonce paying more than twice this price by CD. I have all this works separately in imported vinyl but I'm going to buy this one in order of listening in my car during the path to work in the morning. I love the "Symphony number Five" but the best works here are the "Number Eight", "Unfinished Symphony" and the "Great Symphony Number Nine", talking about number eight unfinished symphony I prefer to the Sinopoli's interpretation conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra from Europe It is much more passionate, One intelligent man can't die without listening to this Masterpiece, why Franz Peter Schubert wrote only two perfect movements and stopped as if he had abondoned the symphony suddenly? I don't believe in this faith, I believe he finished this masterpiece but unfortunately the others two movements were lost forever, but these two that survived are perfect as we have known and listened to them for long time. About Symphony Number Nine this interpretation of genius Herbert Von Karajan is in my opinion "definitive" mainly in the first movement, it's incisive and coherent, and strong in a way that only Karajan could do with the help of the most important musical institution of the world "Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra". Great combination "Masterpiece plus best price possible". Perfect.

Karajan marches on.......2007-02-01

It is interesting to read the comments about Karajan. Those in the Beethoven section often loose sight that he did record stuff other than Beethoven's symphonies. Or they think he slighted the piano concertos when after all he did make several runs at those including mono recordings from the 50s. Or there will be comments about the sound he gets, too pure, too pretty. "I just can't like it, it sounds too good."

Karajan recorded just about everything from the Baroque Masters to Richard Strauss. He also headed up numerous music festivals and operas. To see what I mean, do a search either here or at Ebay on Karajan and opera. He was one busy productive dude. And he delighted millions both in live performances and all those vinyl gems he left us now bing ported over to cd.

I have these recordings that were issued on vinyl by Angel records in association with the book of the month club from way back when.

Karajan's recordings span from the 1930s to the late 1980s. Kinda like the Duke and all them westerns. He led the best orchestras in Europe (Vienna, Berlin, the Philharmonia to name three) and made records with them year end and year out for over 50 years. He also pushed the technology envelope and took advantage of digital when it first came out and video. Often the arguements about Karajan have to do with which version of such and such is best! "They all sound good, but I like his mono version with the Philharmonia best."

All this activity in conducting and recording over so many years paid major dividends. Like Bohm, I have seldom heard one of Karajan's lps and thought that he laid an egg! The reason why he is soooo popular is that he consistenly put out top notch work. You may find better individual performances but chances are you will not get an ear infection from listening to his recordings.

This inexpensive set is a good way to test the non Beethoven Karajan waters if you have not done so already. Or, you may give his great Schumann or Tchaikovsky Symphony recordings a try.

Sterling 9th.......2006-06-15

You know, maybe there is just something to a composers Symphony No. 9. Beethoven, Bruckner and Schubert all had amazing 9th Symphonies, but I digress. This CD is worth the money (which isn't very much) just to hear "The Great" C Major Symphony. I haven't found a better recording of it anywhere. Once again, Karajan turns out a gem.

Unconvincing big-band performances without charm.......2005-10-07

Amazon is being pdeantic to call the Schubert 8th, the Unfinished, his Sym. #7. All four symphonies here are great ones, and Karajan runs through them with a big orchestra and a good deal of impact. But one misses any easiness, charm, or melancholy, all qualities that belong to the real Schubert. This is more Karajan than Schubert, only worthwhile if you love the Berlin Phil's massive sound and want to hear every piece run through it.

I should say that the competing sets from Abbado with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (DG) and Colin Davis with the Dresden Staatskapelle (RCA) sound timid and dull respectively. I would hold out for the new Harnoncourt--his single performances have been excellent so far--or seek the many great performances that exist out there of each symphony.

Karajan's Schubert Cycle Reissued for Cheap!.......2005-03-14

EMI's new "Gemini" series is a breath of fresh air amidst all the smoke being put forth recently by the major classical labels. While Sony is deleting most of their classical budget discs, BMG is raising theirs to mid-price and UNI is convinced that 3CDs are always better than one, EMI decides to start a two-fer line that sells for significantly less than the competition, not to mention their own "Double Forte" series. It might not be as cheap as the old "Seraphim" series, but they could certainly be charging more for quality recordings such as these.

Herbert von Karajan's Schubert Symphony Cycle, made between 1975-78 for EMI with the Berlin Philharmonic, has been available previously on CD in the "Karajan Edition." However, those discs, released as four single titles with two Symphonies each, were twice the price of these new reissues. These performances of Symphonies 5, 6, 8 & 9 plus the Rosamunde Overture are certainly solid, but Karajan was never celebrated as a conductor of Schubert. One wonders if that is why DG had a young Lorin Maazel record the Schubert Symphonies with the Berliners instead of Herbie at the dawn of the stereo age, and that ultimately EMI had him record this Cycle because it was something he hadn't yet done for DG. In any event, I would certainly recommend the Bohm boxed set on DG or the Kertesz on London/Decca (see my review of the latter) ahead of these performances. But considering how cheap these two double discs are, maybe picking up an extra Schubert Cycle is worth it after all.

Schubert: Symphonies 3 & 8 / Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmoniker

Average customer rating:

Tough, sinewy Schubert played relentlessly
5 stars, but this is for Carlos Kleiber's fans: more about Kleiber than Schubert
As usual, Kleiber does not disappoint.
Another Kleiber recording for the ages
Intelligence and sensibility

Schubert: Symphonies 3 & 8 / Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmoniker

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

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Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Carlos Kleiber / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
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Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

ASIN: B000001GXE
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In D Major: 1. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con brio
Symphony No.3 In D Major: 2. Allegretto
Symphony No.3 In D Major: 3. Menuetto. Vivace
Symphony No.3 In D Major: 4. Presto vivace
Symphony No.8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': 1. Allegro moderato
Symphony No.8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': 2. Andante con moto

Amazon.com

Carlos Kleiber's recordings are rare events, almost invariably worth the wait. This performance of the Unfinished is typical: direct, unfussy, superbly played, and unflaggingly intense. It certainly doesn't hurt to have the Vienna Philharmonic as an eager participant in the process, contributing their customary warmth and inbred sense of style. The delightful Third Symphony gets taken out for a charming workout, with the second movement zipping along at a controversially fast speed. At midprice, this reissue offers excellent value, and it's particularly nice to have the Unfinished featured as the major work. As Kleiber shows, it deserves the attention. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Tough, sinewy Schubert played relentlessly.......2007-02-16

I've put the key words in the headline: this is tough-guy Schubert played relentlessly. The great Carlos Kleiber apes Toscanini here, giving us a reading of undeniable quality while making the journey so rough that it's hard to say whether it was enjoyable. Certain movements, like the seond in Sym. #3, are rushed to the point of eccentricity, yet the playing from the Vienna Phil. is never less than perfect. As with Toscanini, a listener may be won over by the performance's intensity while knowing that this isn't how Schubert should go. It's fashionable to view this most lovable of composers as moody, dark, and death-haunted, so Kleiber may be trying to make that point here. The same relentless quality applies to the "Unfinished" as well; the brass outbursts in the first movement are especially brutal.

Normally I would give this CD 3 stars for being so hard to listen to, but Kleiber always deserves respect, even when he's wrong-headed.

5 stars, but this is for Carlos Kleiber's fans: more about Kleiber than Schubert.......2005-12-17

I gave Carlos Kleiber's 1978 recording of Schubert's "Unfinished" and 3rd (D Major) Symphonies 5 stars, but this is definitely for Kleiber's fans: and more about Kleiber than Schubert. Carlos Kleiber has become a cult figure with almost pop star following among music lovers the world over, largely because of his very small discography and frequent cancellations of live performances the last 20 years of his life. There is a certain mystery about Kleiber, and more is pondered about what he DIDN'T DO, as what he DID, both in recordings and live performances.

Carlos Kleiber (1930-2004) recorded these Schubert Symphonies 3 and 8 with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1978 for DG. The recorded sound is excellent, and the Vienna musicians play like angels. But be warned: in Symphony 3, the allegros are really FAST, and sound rather hasty after awhile. The Allegro section of I and IV sounds almost brutal, and as though Kleiber wanted to get through it as fast as possible. II is also the quickest I have ever heard, and is over with in just over 2 minutes. III, the Minuet, is also very fast: not for those who like Beecham and Bohm, with a slower, more stately minuet.

Symphony 8 is more in the mainstream, but lacks the intensity of Bruno Walter (Sony), Solti/Vienna (Decca), Bohm/Berlin (DG) or Bernstein/Concertgebouw (DG). Even though there is nothing wrong with Kleiber's interpretation, somehow this seems lacking compared with the above greater recordings.

So, if you are a Carlos Kleiber fan and want all his recordings (and there aren't alot of them) this is for you. If you are more interested in the best recordings of Schubert, go for Bohm/Berlin (DG), Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (EMI), Halasz/Failoni Orchestra (Naxos) for Symphony 3; or Walter/New York (Sony) or Bernstein/Concertgebouw (DG) for Symphony 8.

As usual, Kleiber does not disappoint........2005-09-24

This is the most energetic interpretation of these works I have heard. I can't say I was ever a huge fan of Schubert's 3rd symphony, but Kleiber gives the entire work a new life.
But you aren't buying this disc for the 3rd. You are buying it for die Unvolledete-Sinfonie, and he does not disappoint, as he gives the entire piece an electric charge from start to finish.
Kleiber's recordings tend to be legendary (see Brahm's 4th, Beethoven's 5th and 7th), and this is no exception. It's worth the $10.00.

Another Kleiber recording for the ages.......2005-04-22

In the liner notes for his magnificent Schubert album on the Austrian Lotus Records label Alfons Kontarsky reminisces how one of his uncles once mourned the fact that the great composer's 8th Symphony remained unfinished as he "died with the quill in his hand". While Alfons humorously debunks this myth, it remains striking how Schubert's untimely passing has given generations the license to hear the voice of an pending death in such works as the late piano sonatas, the string quintet, the Winterreise, and the eight symphony. Yet, one often forgets that all of these works are the works of a young guy, who according to eye witness accounts could by no means be considered to be an over-sentimental whiner.

Growing up with the classics Cantelli recording of the "Unfinished" and getting the excellent Sinopoli version in the early digital days, these Kleiber recordings stayed under the radar for a long time. Although I had encountered critiques like the one from a frustrated Maestro below (No rooms available in Tuscany!), who claims that Kleiber is wrong since he himself directs this work differently, a couple of professional critics' "definitive performance" label fortunately swayed me.

While the young, dynamic and vigorous 3rd gets a top notch performance I will focus here on the 8th. Helped by a well recorded Vienna Philharmonic playing on the edge of its seat Kleiber, indeed, delivers again at his non-plus-ultra level. Debunking the whole mausoleum/requiem atmosphere it is striking what kind of work emerges after stripping away the bad habits of tradition. While the work is normally interpreted as pre-Bruckner, Kleiber shows like no other how much CPE Bach's Sturm und Drang pervades this work. In addition, and in a way that is similar to the Kontarsky brothers' monumental recording of Schubert's f-minor Fantasy, Kleiber makes no attempt to smooth over the "rough" edges of Schubert at times abrupt thematic transitions. Add to that Kleiber's tell tale photographic precision and a classical pulse and you get, what I consider, the unfinished symphony for the ages. While I can understand that Kleiber's approach can give some people the feeling that his version of the second movement lacks the sense of closure that other interpreters have added, I strongly advise them to read the aforementioned liner notes by the wise Alphons for a striking character study of the young mister Schubert.

Intelligence and sensibility.......2003-05-23

Carlos Kleiber is a great musician. Schubert is a great composer. The result is a wonderfully alive Symphony no. 3 and a profound 8th!

Average customer rating:

A good set of the Schubert symphonies, with some fascinating reconstructions
Interesting and well-played: a tip about the "Unfinished"
typical Marriner
Fine Schubert Symphony Cycle from Marriner and ASMF

10 Symphonies
Schubert , Amf , and Marriner
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Symphonies 1-9
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Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set)

ASIN: B00006IU7X
Release Date: 2003-03-11

Customer Reviews:

A good set of the Schubert symphonies, with some fascinating reconstructions.......2007-03-08

There are a number of recordings of Schubert's symphonies. But only a couple include Brian Newbould's reconstructions of some of Schubert's other unfinished symphonic works.

I think it is very interesting to see the progression of Schubert's thought as we go from the 6th symphony (D, 589) to the D. 615 fragment, to the D. 708 bigger fragment, and then to the sketchy 7th symphony (D. 729). These are not polished works, but I like listening to them occasionally.

My biggest complaint is not with these sketches, but with Newbould's attempt to complete the "Unfinished Symphony," namely the 8th. The first movement is gorgeous and the second, also complete, is just fine. But what about the 3rd and 4th movements?

Schubert did indeed write the opening theme to the 3rd movement and scored the first few bars. But I do not like the way it comes out here. First, Newbould's variations (needed, to complete the movement) just aren't all that Schubertian, in my humble opinion. And they aren't that good. Second, I don't like the part Schubert wrote! I think Schubert may have realized that he was not getting what he wanted out of the movement, and that may be why he stopped where he did.

The 4th movement is simply the overture to Rosamunde, and it may indeed have been exactly what Schubert wanted to be the finale to that symphony. Or it may have been close to it. Or it may not have been! I think putting it in as the finale is a good (but definitely not great) idea.

My favorite of the reconstructions is the 10th symphony, especially the dreamy second movement.

I recommend this set of Schubert symphonies.

Interesting and well-played: a tip about the "Unfinished".......2007-02-27

The standard, finished symphonies in this set are given very standard but glowing performances. It is an excellent set just for that. The special news, of course, is the collection of unfinished orchestral movements included in the disks, including Newbould's conjectural reconstructions of symphony 7 and 10 and a finished Unfinished. The latter two are especially important and beautiful, offering plausible Schubert that bears listening and relistening.

Here is a personal tip concerning the finished Unfinished (8th symphony), which includes the Scherzo that Schubert fully composed in piano score, but only began to orchestrate, and the B-minor Entracte from Rosamunde, often thought to be the intended finale to the 8th symphony.

I recommend making the Scherzo the second movement, and the slow movement the third. There is no precedent for this in the other Schubert symphonies, but there is ample precedent in other classical-period pieces. In this symphony, it has the result of making the Scherzo a vigorous palate cleansing between two dreamy movements. I find it works very well, and I much prefer it to the more obvious order. Just a suggestion (but a good one!).

typical Marriner.......2003-12-29

Mr. Kwok is right in the fact that this set of recordings is historically important. Included in this set are Symphonies 7, 10, and two other unnumbered ones. In addition, the 8th symphony has been completed with an orchestration of fragments of the 3rd movement, and by adding the entr'acte of Rosemunde as a 4th movement, which is similar in structure to the other movements. (This has been done before.)
I was fascinated by the 7th and the 10th. (They didn't quite seem like the others. This might have been, and probably was due to the fact that Mr. Newbould orchestrated these. Although he does an exquisite job, it's just not quite like Schubert.) Anyway, these two unnumbered symphonies provide further insight into Schubert's symphonic progression. We usually have a gap between the first 6 symphonies and the very different 8th. This has now been filled in. The 7th symphony seems much like a combination of various aspects of the early symphonies and of the 8th. The 10th symphony sounds a lot like the 9th. Schubert gets more in depth with counterpoint than in any of the other symphonies. Schubert died before writing any of the 4th movement, so this is, essentially, the "'new' unfinished symphony" of the Schubert cycle.
This set is just what you'd expect from Marriner and the ASMF. It is graceful, together, crisp, you might even say it's dainty. The tempos are sometimes fast, but it seems they are deathly slow other times. The first movement of the 8th sounds like a funeral dirge, as it does with many other conductors. You can tell Schubert wanted the tempos much faster in some places. It would make his symphonies seem so much more exciting. If you're looking for sheer power, look elsewhere.
I am no Schubert expert, nor have I heard many other recordings of his symphonies. I would definitely recommend a listening-to of these. That much is imperative. As for a purchase, you could probably find better recordings elsewhere.

Fine Schubert Symphony Cycle from Marriner and ASMF.......2003-12-27

Phillips has recently released as a box set all of the recordings made by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields of Schubert's symphonic scores, including orchestrated fragments completed by musicologist Brian Newbould. Without question, this is a historically important set of recordings since it was the first of several which introduced new scholarship into the performances of Schubert's symphonies. Whether it is as important a cycle as either Abbado's or Harnoncourt's is one I will leave to more astute music critics. However, I believe that these performances aren't nearly as riveting or as inspired as those which Abbado coaxed from the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and those from Harnoncourt and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The best of the performances have to be those of the 1st and 2nd symphonies, followed by the 8th ("Unfinished", though here "finished" courtesy of Newbould) and the 9th symphonies. Although my primary Schubert symphony recommendations are for the two cycles conducted by Abbado and Harnoncourt; Marriner's recordings are an intriguing alternative for a cycle recorded within the past twenty five years.

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Elegant early Schubert
Rushed tempos and no competition for Bohm, Beecham, or Walter
Average
Sawallisch's Schubert : Passion and style par excellence !

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies, Vol. 2
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Beethoven: Complete Overtures
Méhul: The Complete Symphonies
Liszt: Works for Piano and Orchestra

ASIN: B0000041CW
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 1. Adagio - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 2. Andante
Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 3. Allegro
Symphony No.1 In D, D.82: 4. Allegro vivace
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 1. Largo - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 2. Andante
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 3. Menuetto. Allegro vivace
Symphony No.2 In B Flat, D.125: 4. Presto
Overtures In The Italian Style: No.1 In D, D.590
Overtures In The Italian Style: No.2 In C, D.591

Tracks:

Overture In E Minor, D.648
Overture In B Flat, D.470
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 1. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con brio
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 2. Allegretto
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 3. Menuetto. Vivace
Symphony No.3 In D, D.200: 4. Presto. Vivace
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 1. Adagio molto - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 2. Andante
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 3. Menuetto. Allegro vivace
Symphony No.3 In C Minor, D.417 (Tragic): 4. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Elegant early Schubert.......2005-12-20

This first volume of the Schubert symphonies offers classy, gorgeously played accounts by the Dresden Staatskapelle with Wolfgang Sawallisch. Other reviewers mention Walter, Beecham and Bohm and rather than dispute the merits of those magnificent conductors I would simply say that Sawallisch at his best, as he is here, is of the same standing. The sound on this disc is crisp but warm late sixties analog with plenty of ringing presence to highlight the spectacular ensemble playing of one of the great "Eastern Bloc" orchestras of the Cold War.

Rushed tempos and no competition for Bohm, Beecham, or Walter.......2005-11-29

I'm sorry to write this, but Wolfgang Sawallisch's Schubert Symphonies strike me as having rushed tempos and are no competition for comparable recordings by Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (DG), Sir Thomas Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (EMI, Symphonies 3,5,6); or Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony (Sym. 5,9) or Walter/New York Philharmonic (Sym. 8) (all Sony "Bruno Walter edition"). Although the Dresden Staatskapelle plays at a very high standard, the tempos Sawallisch sets seem fast and breezy, and many musical details are lost in the haste. I expected more from this set than it delivered: Sawallisch is known as a sort of heir to Karl Bohm's musical legacy, at least with many performances at the Bavarian State Opera, and the excellence of his Mozart MAGIC FLUTE (Philips DVD or VHS) unfortuneatly does not apply here.

I would recommmend listeners go with Bohm/Berlin (DG, budget priced); Beecham/RPO (EMI, mid price); or the Walter releases (Sony, mid-price). There are also some fine recordings of Schubert 1,2,3,4, and 6 by Michael Halasz/Failoni Orchestra (Naxos), and Ormandy/Philadelphia in Schubert 4 (Sony "Essential Classics") is also very fine. There are other options, which I would recommend over this release.

Average.......2004-10-17

Sorry to say, I cannot agree with the other reviewer on the overall excellence of this recording. I find Sawallich tends to overdo the music in its dramatic moments, a sin he commits most blatantly in the opening movement of the "Tragic" Symphony No.4. The sobriquet "tragic" seems to Sawallich to mean "fast and dramatic". To others, it indicates something much different.

There is little in anything on the second CD of this set that compares with what I've heard of the better Schubert sets by Karajan, Bohm and Abbado. The first CD is better, however. In particular, Sawallich and his Dresden forces find a youthful sweep and majesty in the Symphony No. 1 and repeat some of that flight of fancy in the Symphony No. 2.

The four overtures on this CD conducted by Raymond Leppard reinforce his reputation as a specialist in Renaissance and Baroque music and his shortcomings in early Romantic repertoire. All told, I find no lasting enjoyment value in this set and am very disappointed with it. I hoped for better than this.

Sawallisch's Schubert : Passion and style par excellence !.......2002-10-05

These are extremely fine accounts of early Schubert, played with grace and style. I find myself in agreement with a reviewer (see his comments on volume two) who wondered how in the world Sawallisch has not been given more of the kind of praise other well known outstanding conductors have. As fine as his Schubert set is, Karl Bohm does not match the kind of flair which typifies the style of play offered here by Sawallisch and the Staatskapelle. Additionally, the sound of the Philips discs enhances the sense of fun and pleasure exuded by these youthful gems. One repeatedly gets the sense that this is the way Schubert should be played and enjoyed. In the overtures, Raymond Leppard does not really convey the kind of charm and spirit Sawallisch does in the symphonies. It might also be that the London Philharmonic does not have this music in their blood the way the Staatskapelle does. Sawallisch easily gets five stars. Leppard, if rated separately, would get three. Bravo the Sawallisch/Staatskapelle Schubert !

Average customer rating:

Great Melodies Of The Classics

Manufacturer: Intersound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Fanfare (Masterpiece Theater Theme)
Orchestral Suite No.3 in D Major, BWV 1068: Air For The G String
Canon In D Major
The Spring In E Major, Op.8, No.1: Allegro
The Spring In E Major, Op.8, No.1: Largo e pianissimo sempre
The Spring In E Major, Op.8, No.1: Allegro: Rustic Dance
Water Music Suite: Allegro
Water Music Suite: Air
Water Music Suite: Bouree - Handel_
Water Music Suite: Hornpipe - Handel_
Water Music Suite: Andante expressivo - Handel_
Water Music Suite: Hornpipe - Handel_
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV1047: (Allegro) - Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV1047: Andante - Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV1047: Allegro assai - Bach
Table Music Overture - Telemann
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV565 - Bach

Tracks:

Symphony No.5 In C Minor, Op.67: Allegro Con Brio
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Allegro
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Romanze: Andante
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Menuetto: Allegretto
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Rondo: Allegro
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Adagio: Vivace Assai
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Andante
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Menuet: Allegro Molto
Symphony No.94 In G Major, Surprise: Finale: Allegro Di Molto
Symphony no.5 In B-Flat Major: Allegro Vivace - Schubert
Piano Concerto No.21 In C Major, K.467: Andante - Mozart
Beethoven: Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Beethoven

Tracks:

Light Cavalry Overture
Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64: Valse: Allegro moderato
William Tell: Overture
Bolero
Die Fledermaus (The Bat): Overture
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Overture
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Scherzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Nocturne
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Wedding March - Mendelssohn
A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite: Puck's Dance - Mendelssohn

Tracks:

The Valkyrie: Ride Of The Valkyries
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Dawn
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Death Of Ase
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: Anitra's Dance
Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46: In The Hall Of The Moutain King
Les Preludes
Orpheus In The Underworld: Overture
My Country: The Moldau
The Afternoon Of A Faun: Prelude
Carmen: The Toreadors
Carmen: Habanera
Carmen: March Of The Smugglers

Average customer rating:

Feels like a "pig-pile" on the bottom-most review
Great
Great Italian Schubert!
a massive disappointment

Schubert: The Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Dvorák: The Symphonies

ASIN: B00005MIZU
Release Date: 2005-07-13

Tracks:

Rosamunde: The Magic Harp: Ov, D.644
Incidental Music, D.797: No.2 Ballet Music I in b (Allegro Moderato -
Incidental Music, D.797: Andante Un Poco Assai)
Incidental Music, D.797: No.9: Ballet Music II in G (Andantino)
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: I. Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Brio
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: II. Allegretto
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: III. Menuetto (Vivace) & Trio
Sym No.3 in D, D.200: IV. Presto Vivace
Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': I. Allegro Moderato
Sym No.8 in b, D.759 'Unfinished': II. Andante Con Moto

Tracks:

Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: I. Largo - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: II. Andante - Vars I-V
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: III. Allegro Vivace - Trio
Sym No.2 in B flat, D.125: IV. Presto
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': I. Adagio Molto - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': II. Andante
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': III. Menuetto (Allegro Vivace) & Trio
Sym No.4 in c, D.417 'Tragic': IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Sym No.1 in D, D.82: I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: II. Andante
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: III. Menuetto (Allegretto) & Trio
Sym No.1 in D, D.82: IV. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: I. Allegro
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: II. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: III. Menuetto (Allegro Molto) & Trio
Sym No.5 in B flat, D.485: IV. Allegro Vivace
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': I. Andante - Allegro Ma Non Troppo

Tracks:

Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': II. Andante Con Moto
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': III. Scherzo (Allegro Vivace) & Trio
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': IV. Finale (Allegro Vivace)
Sym No.6 in C, D.589: I. Adagio - Allegro
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': II. Andante
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': III. Scherzo (Presto) & Trio (Piu Lento)
Sym No.9 in C, D.944 'The Great': IV. Allegro Moderato

Customer Reviews:

Feels like a "pig-pile" on the bottom-most review.......2006-08-26

Not too often I hear something on NPR that makes me pull over and listen hard but that happened a short while back with the recording of Symphony #2 in this set. Picked the entire box set up and wowser. These are fast, exciting, absolutely buoyant performances. The orchestra plays miraculously. Couldn't be happier and at this price!!

For those that don't know the earlier Schubert symphonies--well, for the cost of one top-dollar CD you can hear them and you'll be amazed these aren't heard more often. Boy Schubert (many of these were written in his teens) may not have been the world's greatest symphonic crafts-person back then (he was merely very good with rough edges) but his full melodic genius was present when he was probably two years old. Here I am playing, and REALLY enjoying a symphony by a sixteen-year-old.

Beethoven allegedly saw a score of Schubert's before he died (Beethoven, not Schubert)and was quoted as saying, "HOLY MACKEREL! This kid's got the chops!" Beethoven talked like that sometimes.

Great.......2006-04-10

Ricardo Mutti takes the Wiener Philharmoniker to the best performance of Schubert's Symphonies. They are the best.

Great Italian Schubert!.......2005-10-28

I certainly disagree with the last review. Maybe for some people Muti's Schubert is at the first glance not 'deep' enough. But I have never heard the symphonies in such a joyful manner, with fast tempi all the way. And the Wiener Philharmoniker here clearly show why they are regarded as one of the finest orchestras of the world: their performance is close to perfection. -- Highly recommended!

a massive disappointment.......2005-08-04

this box-set is reasonably cheap but even its low cost has not been a consolation for my disappointment. Given my tastes, this is "cold" Schubert. To me the worst experience has come with the "Unfinished" symphony. One of the most tragic statement in music history is transformed in a lifeless, boring, scholastic exercise.
Please give me back Furtwangler, Klemperer and Bruno Walter!!!