From Harnoncourt’s conspicuously successful traversal
of the complete symphonies comes this disc of the Fifth and Eighth symphonies
coupled with the two Italian Overtures. Not for Harnoncourt the untroubled
open-hearted lyricism of, say, Beecham in the Fifth. This is a serious
minded but never ponderous reading fully alive to the not-so-hidden
depths of the music. String tone is lithe, unsaturated; woodwind is
stunningly accurate. The Andante con moto receives a performance of
true gravity properly observant of Schubert’s tempo marking whilst in
the Allegro vivace untrammelled joy is subverted into something rather
more troubling.
The Unfinished receives, if anything, an even finer
reading. Harnoncourt seldom has recourse to interventionist tactics
in this music. His control of rhythm and balance is exemplary. The recording
itself is one of the utmost clarity and illustrates the subtle delineation
of line which Harnoncourt is able to bring to bear and which the Concertgebouw
Orchestra at all times exemplifies. The performance is dark and introspective
with a gravity and seriousness that is deeply admirable.
The Italian Overtures are more than insignificant fillers.
Strongly recommended.
Jonathan Woolf
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra