Search - Schubert, Czech Nonet, Czech Soloists :: Eine Kleine

The Czech Nonet is a venerable and unusual ensemble mixing winds and strings. It has been making recordings at least since the 1950s. The ensemble plays Schubert very well, with the kind of cohesion that normally comes only from having a lot of experience. At the same time, while the group's unity of purpose is admirable, that purpose often seems more directed toward unity than expressiveness. This is a precise Schubert Octet but not a very expressive one. Even with the bonus of the impressive early (D. 89) Schubert piece, this version is less desirable than Consortium Classicum (MD+G), Mozzafiato, and L'Archibudelli performances on period instruments (Sony), or the bargain Schubert Ensemble (Naxos). --Leslie Gerber