This release by the Residentie Orkest of The Hague is part of a Schubert series from conductor Jan Willem de Vriend, whose orchestra is pared down to 19th century dimensions in a nod to the historical performance movement, although modern instruments are used. The album was recorded at the Atrium in The Hague, and one can understand why Challenge Classics engineers were drawn to the site. It produces a spacious sound that fits well with de Vriend's detailed, restrained style, but earlier releases in the set may have worked ...
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This release by the Residentie Orkest of The Hague is part of a Schubert series from conductor Jan Willem de Vriend, whose orchestra is pared down to 19th century dimensions in a nod to the historical performance movement, although modern instruments are used. The album was recorded at the Atrium in The Hague, and one can understand why Challenge Classics engineers were drawn to the site. It produces a spacious sound that fits well with de Vriend's detailed, restrained style, but earlier releases in the set may have worked better than this version of the much-recorded Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 ("The Great"). Here, the instruments seem to swim in the space, with the strings alternately getting overwhelmed by the brass and leaving the winds far in the background. Acoustics aside, listeners' reactions to de Vriend's style will be individual, although all will agree that he gets a fine, careful performance from the Residentie Orkest. With a slow opening movement and a quick finale, de Vriend...
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