Schubert: Symphony No. 9 / Gesang der Geister über den Wassern ~ Gardiner

Franz [Vienna] Schubert (Composer), John Eliot Gardiner (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Monteverdi Choir (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Monteverdi Choir
• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: John Eliot Gardiner
• Composer: Franz [Vienna] Schubert
• Audio CD (November 10, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00000DI2U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,743 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cut time is correct, October 18, 2006

By 

D. T. Lopata "a" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schubert: Symphony No. 9 / Gesang der Geister über den Wassern ~ Gardiner (Audio CD)

The previous reviewer states: "The slow opening to the first movement is taken in cut time, a dubious touch that robs the main Allegro of contrast."

Actually, that was Schubert's intent. Quoting from a recent program of the Los Angeles Philharmonic: "By the early years of this century, [Schubert's 9th] had settled comfortably into the repertory. What settled in, however, was hardly an accurate reflection of Schubert's intent. Until recently, the published editions have contained countless errors when compared to the original manuscript, which resides in the library of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. The simple correction of the score's opening marking, from the published versions' four beats in a bar to the manuscript's two (alla breve) - one of numerous errors rectified - greatly changes the character of the first movement, and by extension the entire Symphony, from Bruckner-like massiveness to something more nervy, lithe and springy, more athletic - more Schubertian, if you will."

All in all, I'm not overly enthusiastic about this recording, nor about the 9th in general, but this recording got the opening right with Schubert's cut time intent.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A brittle, unsmiling performance--what period is this supposed to be?, April 16, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Schubert: Symphony No. 9 / Gesang der Geister über den Wassern ~ Gardiner (Audio CD)

I'm willing to take my knocks as an avowed critic of Gardiner's amateurish conducting, which runs every piece through the same mill. Last week I heard him conduct the Schubert Ninth with the London Sym. in Barbican Hall, a performance so stilted and wooden that the only entertainment value was watching Gardiner's conducting style, which resembles a drowning man flailing for help.

This DG recording from 1998 is a few notches better. The strings exhibit a modicum of expressive vibrato, as you'd expect from Vienna--who slipped up? The tempos are quick and steady, which may be "period style" but is out of touch with the spirit of Schubert's supple melodies and the need for variety in any music this repetitive. The slow opening to the first movement is taken in cut time, a dubious recent fad that robs the main Allegro of contrast. Almost all the phrasing throughout is clipped and terse rather than tender. The Vienna Phil. follows the conductor's directions as to specifics, but their overall style remains, as always, the same warm, yielding one we expect, thank goodness.

Enough. Carping about Gardiner earns one a volley of poison darts, but his Schubert cost me a disagreeable hour in the concert hall, and this is the only way I can exact revenge.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gardiner Records Fantastic Version of Schubert 9!, January 11, 2000

By 

Darin Tysdal (Bloomington, MN 55420) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Schubert: Symphony No. 9 / Gesang der Geister über den Wassern ~ Gardiner (Audio CD)

This performance is a hybrid. There is of course, Gardiner's experience with period performance which you can hear in the interpretation of this marvellous symphony. However, this performance uses modern day instruments, and does not include the massive repeats in the 3rd and 4th movements. So this is a combination of two styles of performance. So the movements go skipping along without losing their gravity-and we do not get bored! I have always enjoyed recordings by Norrington (with all repeats included) Bruno Walter (very staid, validictorian, almost, but with glowing orchestral playing! ) and Toscanini (who of course, is fiery if with coarse recording quality) and I also enjoyed Gardiner's very well. Apparently there exists an older recording by Gardiner of this symphony on Erato also which I have not heard. Recommended!