Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Thomas Beecham, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Sir Thomas Beecham Conducts Schubert

I'd give this 6 stars if I could!

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 12/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would give Sir Thomas Beecham's Royal Philharmonic recording of Schubert Symphonies 1 and 2 six stars if I could: it's that good! Beecham had a special touch with Schubert: light, witty, delicate where needed, but muscular and masculine where needed. In short, this is a perfect Schubert recording.



Some listeners may not like the MONO sound designation, but the sound quality is very high, and all the instruments can be heard clearly and in proper balance. This was recorded in 1950, and the sound is really very good.



The recording I have of this is on Sony UK, in a series of Beecham recordings with the Royal Philharmonic from the pre stereo age, mostly 1949-1954. Modern restoration techniques have made these recordings sound even better than they ever did on LP.



I highly recommend this for Schubert's Symphonies 1 and 2, beautiful little masterworks in their own right, and not mere juvenelia. Beecham's Royal Philharmonic recordings (EMI, Stereo) of Schubert Symphonies 3, 5, and 6 is also highly recommended by me, and many other music lovers."