Search - Franz Schubert, Sergiu Celibidache, Münchner Philharmoniker :: CELIBIDACHE / Münchner Philharmoniker - Schubert: Symphony No. 9

Am I listening to the same recording?

Matthew D Kerr | Princeton, NJ United States | 06/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This performance may indeed be spacious, but it is anything but flacid. Celibidache conducts Schubert almost as if he was Bruckner, and the result is at once monumental and inviting. Frankly, I think the second movement is stunning.One thing Bruckner writes into his work is formal repetition, say of a bar 8 times. The effect is like a mantra, and gives an illusion of suspension of time. That is, if it's conducted properly, by someone who isn't trying to make those bars "go somewhere" or explain them. I'm not anti-romantic, but trying to explain music, force it into a linear sraight jacket, is vulgar.In any case, Celibidache brings such an effect to Schubert's music where there is lots of formal repetition. The effect is that, unlike every other conductor in this work, he doesn't sound impatient or bored with the repetition. And I can say that this is the first time in years I've really enjoyed listening to this music.When I bought this I was sick of impatient Schubert 9 recordings that make the music sound like cold gruel (to use the words of another amazon reviewer). For instance, as much as I love Harnoncourt's work, I have to put his first movement in this category (though the third movement is wonderful). Even Szell's is warmer.(In any case, as there is no picture, I hope I have indeed reviewed the right item, the recording from 1994!)"