SCHUBERT: Symphonies, Vol. 2: Nos. 5, 6 & 9, Rosamunde (excerpts) - Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta (2 CDs)

Between 1976 and 1978, Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra made recordings of the complete Schubert symphonies for Decca, as well as some of the incidental music for Rosamunde. Other than the Schumann symphonies, it was the only symphony cycle this tremendous Decca artist made for the label. The recordings were all made in the Mann Auditorium and were all produced by Ray Minshull, who, together with John Culshaw and Christopher Raeburn, worked extensively with Mehta during his exclusive Decca years.  In addition to the Rosamunde incidental music, Volume 2 contains the breezy Fifth symphony as well as the two C major works – Nos. 6 and 9, ‘Little’ and ‘Great’.

‘This is a sunny performance, well-paced and well-sprung, with Mehta providing a distinctive and sympathetic answer to all the many interpretative questions which make this arguably the most problematic of standard symphonies.’ (No. 9) Gramophone

‘This is a magnificently recorded disc, the sound smooth and explicit, Rolls Royce sound.’ (No. 6, Rosamunde) Gramophone

SCHUBERT
CD1
Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D.485
Rosamunde, D.797 (excerpts)

CD2
Symphony No. 6 in C major, D.589 ‘The Little’
Symphony No. 9 in C major, D.944 ‘Great’

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta