It’s interesting that many artists will do things on recordings that they would seldom do live. Colin Davis recorded this same symphony with this same orchestra for RCA. That performance was unfailingly musical, but perhaps a touch stodgy, an effect exaggerated by the widespread adoption of repeats that are universally omitted in this live rendition. The result: no stodginess, even though in most respects the interpretation itself is almost identical. Davis still strikes me as a touch too relaxed in the scherzo (compare with Munch, or Böhm’s thrilling DG recording with this same orchestra), but I’m willing to grant that he captures a surely idiomatic Gemütlichkeit that avoids dullness when the movement isn’t half again as long as it ought to be–at least at this tempo.
One thing is certain: the playing of the orchestra is beyond glorious, even better than it was for RCA. The woodwinds are invariably sweet-toned and characterful, with a superb oboe soloist in the Andante. Horns, trumpets, trombones, and timpani all know their place: they have presence when they need to and offer warm and full support elsewhere. But it’s the string playing that really makes the performance. I strongly doubt that you will find anything more beautiful in terms of sheer sonority and top-to-bottom richness of timbre, but by the same token this extraordinary luminosity of texture isn’t purchased at the expense of good rhythm or a wide dynamic range.
In a day when so many orchestral string sections are either crudely choppy and purportedly “authentic”, or pretending to be “romantic” by adopting an excessive and oily legato, this remains a model of exalted musicianship worthy of emulation. The German radio sound is, predictably, very good, with the woodwind perhaps a touch less prominent than would be ideal. But with string playing of this caliber, who cares? In short, Davis always has been a sympathetic Schubertian, and if you want to hear his way with the Ninth at its best, this release is certainly the choice option. In any case, the RCA Ninth is only available in a complete set of all the symphonies, albeit at budget price.
