Customer Reviews

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 8 "Unfinished" & 9 "The Great"(Bernstein Century)

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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.

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.

Leonard Bernstein's 1963 New York Philharmonic recording of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony No 8 (as was his version of Schubert's No 5) has long remained a performance by which others are judged. It is simply superb, with a lofty nobility that sets it above virtually all rivals.
Although marred by a final movement which is at too fast a tempo, the 9th Symphony performance is fine as well. What a pity that Bernstein never recorded an integral set of the Schubert Symphonies. This wonderful CD, though, is partial compensation; the Unfinished is truly magnificent.
David Lloyd, Bedford, England.

This is, quite simply, the best recording of Schubert's Unfinished I have ever heard. It's also an exceptional performance of the Great C Major, but for that one I think the two finest performances come from Furtwangler (surely one of the greatest performances of ANYTHING ever recorded) and Krips.

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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.

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Bernstein and the Philharmonic play the 8th in full-blown Romantic pitch. An excellent choice. The Great
C-Major, however, is the jewel in this recording. I probably have more records of Bernstein leading the Philharmonic in my collection than any other interpreters of classical music. Many I like, and others I don't much care for. To me, the C-Major is the best Bernstein I've heard him conduct. I always cherished the old Furtwangler and Toscanni recordings, but Bernstein's hard driving approach and excellent EMI sound quality make this performance not only a bargain but at the top of anyone's list looking for the ultimate in Schubert performance.

Hal Denton, Cookeville, TN

When I first heard (and learnt) of Schubert's symphonies,
that the man who had composed many of the best ensemble
pieces of all time had also composed as many symphonies as
Beethoven, I thought I should stick to his ensemble pieces
and not venture into his orchestra work, thinking that the
understatement and subtlety of his small ensemble composition
would not translate well for large ones. But when I first
listened to the first movement of his 8th, I knew the guy had
mastered the symphony also. His style in these later symphonies
belongs in the romantic era, unlike his earlier symphonies, which
are more distinctly classical.

Bernstein's interpretation is nothing but masterful, but in the first movement of the 8th, I would have liked it more if he had quickened the tempo/pace of the piece. The NY Phil. performs admirably under his baton.

Now my favorite Schubert's 9th. Have not heard the other highly recommended but, I find this to be awesome. That's about it, just trying to get to twenty words now.

An outstanding piece of musical work of a very young genius.
I liked the 'Unfinished' one more as if it never finished in my mind.
A rare gem. Top class!!!