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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Michael Halasz and the Failoni Orchestra recorded Schubert's first and second symphonies for Naxos in 1994 at the Italian Institute in Budapest. The production and engineering team of Tamas Benedek and Gabor Mocsary have given us very good sound, especially if you turn up the volume a little more than usual as the music then opens up.
Schubert wrote the very clever first symphony when only 16! We have a grand, slow, opening, a Mozartian slow movement, an energetic Allegro and a fast final movement. Perhaps slightly overstaying its welcome, this was an excellent work from the young composer. This is a very stylish performance. For a period instrument recording, you can turn to Roy Goodman and the Hanover Band on Nimbus (a real bargain nowadays second-hand), although the sound quality isn't as clear Symphonies 1-9, those preferring the traditional "big-band" approach won't go far wrong with Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic on EMI Schubert: Symphonies. Halasz successfully steers a middle path.
The second symphony is big and quite exciting, a bit grander than the fist, which it followed by about a year. Pretty much the same comments apply to this recording, including the alternatives, although Viotti's recording is certainly worth hearing, too Symphony 1 and 2, although its very expensive.
Recommended!
Schubert wrote the very clever first symphony when only 16! We have a grand, slow, opening, a Mozartian slow movement, an energetic Allegro and a fast final movement. Perhaps slightly overstaying its welcome, this was an excellent work from the young composer. This is a very stylish performance. For a period instrument recording, you can turn to Roy Goodman and the Hanover Band on Nimbus (a real bargain nowadays second-hand), although the sound quality isn't as clear Symphonies 1-9, those preferring the traditional "big-band" approach won't go far wrong with Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic on EMI Schubert: Symphonies. Halasz successfully steers a middle path.
The second symphony is big and quite exciting, a bit grander than the fist, which it followed by about a year. Pretty much the same comments apply to this recording, including the alternatives, although Viotti's recording is certainly worth hearing, too Symphony 1 and 2, although its very expensive.
Recommended!
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
heard part of this on the radio and took a chance and ordered the whole thing. Really beautiful piece of music. I can't give any intelectual musical appraisal, but I love it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Fine sound from Naxos, and great playing from the Failoni Orchestra
7 Dec 2005
Format:Audio CD
Michael Halasz's recording of Schubert's Symphonies 1 and 2 offer the listeners great sound from Naxos, and excellent playing from the Failoni Orchestra. Don't let the budget price or lack of a big name conductor scare you away from this one.
Halasz's Schubert is a bargain, and if it lacks the last degree of elegance and grace of Beecham (EMI), or playing of Bohm's Berlin Philharmonic (DG), it is still very fine in it's own right.
The Failoni Orchestra, a Budapest ensemble, plays very well, and is well miked by Naxos' engineers. The Failoni Orchestra play modern instruments, but are a large chamber orchestra. Allegro tempos are quite fast, and repeats are taken liberally (not, however in the Da Capo of the Minuet movements, thankfully!). Some listeners may object to the fast tempo Minuets, taken in a fast 3, or slow 1 (subdivided into 3) meter.
Those used to Bohm or Beecham in these works may not like the faster minuets Halasz conducts. However, I can listen to these works either way, and Halasz is well recorded and played, so I recommend it.
Listeners wishing to get their money's worth can rest assured of doing so with Halasz's Schubert 1 and 2. I can recommend this definitely above Goodman/Hanover Band (Nimbus, with complete Schubert Symphonies) and on a par with Barenboim/Berlin (CBS), Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (Sony UK, MONO) and Bohm/Berlin (DG, with Symphonies 4-6,8 and 9).
Halasz's Schubert is a bargain, and if it lacks the last degree of elegance and grace of Beecham (EMI), or playing of Bohm's Berlin Philharmonic (DG), it is still very fine in it's own right.
The Failoni Orchestra, a Budapest ensemble, plays very well, and is well miked by Naxos' engineers. The Failoni Orchestra play modern instruments, but are a large chamber orchestra. Allegro tempos are quite fast, and repeats are taken liberally (not, however in the Da Capo of the Minuet movements, thankfully!). Some listeners may object to the fast tempo Minuets, taken in a fast 3, or slow 1 (subdivided into 3) meter.
Those used to Bohm or Beecham in these works may not like the faster minuets Halasz conducts. However, I can listen to these works either way, and Halasz is well recorded and played, so I recommend it.
Listeners wishing to get their money's worth can rest assured of doing so with Halasz's Schubert 1 and 2. I can recommend this definitely above Goodman/Hanover Band (Nimbus, with complete Schubert Symphonies) and on a par with Barenboim/Berlin (CBS), Beecham/Royal Philharmonic (Sony UK, MONO) and Bohm/Berlin (DG, with Symphonies 4-6,8 and 9).
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Engaging
4 Feb 2008
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is absolutely splendid Schubert. I have the Beecham LP of these symphonies, and I would have to say Halasz is in the same league--plus he takes several repeats that Beecham omits. Schubert conducting is mainly about tempo and balances, which Halasz has complete mastery of. Tempos are slightly fast, but the orchestra's articulation is splendid and there is a sense of repose when needed. I can't praise the sonority of the performances enough; Schubert has his own sound world, which Halasz partakes of fully. Don't let the low price dissuade you; I have never heard better Schubert.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Nice whiile it lasted
9 Dec 2011
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased this CD a few months ago and thought it was wonderful. The CD has not been played a great deal and was played on a Bose CD Player. It is now making so much noise it is no longer enjoyable. If you buy this CD just don't expect it to last too long. I haven't bothered to try and return it because I figured the return postage would probably cost as much as a new CD.
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