There was a great deal of interest in the last post of unre-released Boston Symphony/Charles Munch material. So here is another one - this time Schubert's second symphony. As with the Schumann, his orchestra/conductor combo later recorded the same music in stereo, which may account for this 1949 version remaining in the vaults since its first issue.
This early rendition was issued both on a 10-inch LP and on this 12-inch LP, where it was paired with the Schubert 8th, again by the Boston orchestra, this time conducted by Munch's predecessor as BSO music director, Serge Koussevitzky.
I can't confess any special affinity for Schubert's symphonies, but these versions are as well played as you might expect given the participants.
The last post in this series elicited a lengthy discussion about whether it was issued at the right pitch. I think this one is pitched correctly.
Thank you Buster. My own affinity for the Schubert Symphonies is practically boundless, and although they seem to get lots of soggy performances, these two are definitely not among those. My own copy of this record is virtually unplayable, so thank you again.
ReplyDeleteLawrence - It's fascinating how two music lovers can have such different responses to music. I could listen to the Schumann symphonies all day, but Schubert - not me!
ReplyDeleteRemastered version (Apple lossless):
ReplyDeletehttps://mega.nz/#!ndV1yByL!xBv0eeJUOPL2A0D14qUpiF7ahp74At1Am4Fe5Erfjps