BaL 22.04.23 - Schubert: Symphony no. 5 in B flat D. 485

[richardfinegold]

My intro was Reiner/CSO on an lp pairing it with the Unfinished. It’s fleet and has some really tender playing but Reiner does take the scherzo with some firmness. Compare Walter and the Columbia SO which has rounded off edges by comparison. My actual favorite is Suitner with an East German Orchestra from early digital era on Denon, also apparently Nola.

[Petrushka]

I've got Bohm (x3), Solti (x2), Karajan (x2), Abbado (x2), Beecham, Harnoncourt , Jochum, Walter and possibly one or two others tucked away in boxes somewhere.

The one I usually reach for is still the first one I bought: BPO/Bohm.

[cloughie]

no timps in Symphony nr 5, I think...

.

OK, I stand corrected - I withdraw the timps ref. But stick with my choices!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

OK, I stand corrected - I withdraw the timps ref. But stick with my choices!

I've got no skin in the game.

[Joseph K]

I have the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Harnoncourt, which appears not to be on the list. I also remember checking out L'Orfeo Barockorchester on youtube and it was very good. I also have the Baremboim though I haven't listened to it much...

[Barbirollians]

I have the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Harnoncourt, which appears not to be on the list. I also remember checking out L'Orfeo Barockorchester on youtube and it was very good. I also have the Baremboim though I haven't listened to it much...

I am very fond of the Philharmonia/Klemperer.

[jayne lee wilson]

I have the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Harnoncourt, which appears not to be on the list. I also remember checking out L'Orfeo Barockorchester on youtube and it was very good. I also have the Baremboim though I haven't listened to it much...

As I said above in #7, there are two Gaigg recordings, DHM and CPO; and the second live one goes further in its radically exciting edginess; a very striking at times almost percussive reading, which should give any listener new ears on the piece.
Despite the live inconsistencies, the CPO Cycle (see link) along with the COE/Harnoncourt (recent ICA box, also live) transformed the Schubertian symphonical landscape; gave these gorgeous but familiar works new wings and new life.

Even Harnoncourt's revitalising Amsterdam set seems almost safe by compare. Some of the best 5ths are one-offs: there are few to match JEG's live love-affair in the Concertgebouw with the ORR...c/w the songfully-dark-and-sonorous 2nd Brahms Serenade.
But most are in cycles, two recently completed/ongoing: Jacobs and the B'Rock and CBSO/Gardner; I hear them both, I love them both, so very, very contrasted; it will take a truly excellent critic to survey a field of such treasurable variety.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Lieder and song expert chosen for a Schubert symphony ? The choice of reviewers is increasingly inexplicable.

Surely being a song expert doesn’t preclude expertise and knowledge in other areas?

[jayne lee wilson]

...IOR or, the G-Collection Awards....
Nominations are invited for:

Schubert 5

The Historical Choice
The Classic Choice
The Renewal...

New Kid on the Block
Gun-to-my-Head
My One and Only.....

Etc....

[CallMePaul]

I have the van Immerseel, also the original LP version (unplayed for several years) of the Berlin Bohm version (coupled with the Unfinished. Bohm, incidentally and slightly off-topic, is one of a handful of conductors to choose the earlier version of Mozart's K550 alluded to earlier in the thread when discussing Schubert's instrumentation. The lack of clarinets, trumpets and timpani is generally thought to reflect available forces of the orchestra which commissioned the work.

[Darloboy]

Last covered on BaL in June 1989, when Stephen Dodgson chose Orchestra of St Johns Smith Square conducted by John Lubbock. Goodman's period version was also recommended.

Prior to that, the symphony was featured on the programme in 1959, 1962 (BaL in Restrospect), 1966, 1969 and 1975. Clearly it used to be considered a key work for any library. Tastes have obviously changed.

I have Beecham, COE/Abbado, OAE/Mackerras, Staatskapelle Dresden/Colin Davis and LCP/Norrington in my collection. I don't think I need another.

[Maclintick]

I am very fond of the Philharmonia/Klemperer.

Columbia SAX2514. My mum had this LP which was my introduction to the "sunniest" of symphonies -- sorry, clichés are often useful. IMHO the distinction & memorability of themes in this work far surpasses those of its immediate siblings. VPO/Böhm & RPO/Beecham take some beating.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Lubbock, Marriner and Menuhin on LP here, plus Beecham on CD. Perhaps a HIPP performance may tempt me?

[jayne lee wilson]

Columbia SAX2514. My mum had this LP which was my introduction to the "sunniest" of symphonies -- sorry, clichés are often useful. IMHO the distinction & memorability of themes in this work far surpasses those of its immediate siblings. VPO/Böhm & RPO/Beecham take some beating.

Even the (more adventurous) 4th? Then with the consequential 5th....As Tippett put it...."I would know my shadow and my light, so may I at last be whole..."


Light and shade, major to minor and back....The Essence of Schubert in one single memorable line...
The 4th and 5th Symphonies write the story en grand.

[jayne lee wilson]

Lubbock, Marriner and Menuhin on LP here, plus Beecham on CD. Perhaps a HIPP performance may tempt me?

Try ORR/JEG in Amsterdam.... c/w Brahms 2nd Serenade, a wonderful album and (if you still buy the physical product) you don't even need to commit to another cycle to get it....