David Zinman - Schubert: Symphony No. 7 "Unfinished" & Rondo, Concerto & Polonaise for Violin and Orchestra (2011)

Following critically praised cycles of the symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, and Johannes Brahms, David Zinman, and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich has launched an impressive series of Franz Schubert's symphonies that meets the high standards of previous sets. This volume presents the Symphony No. 7 in B minor, "Unfinished," along with a handful of works for violin and orchestra to round out the disc: the Rondo in A major, D. 438; the Polonaise in B flat major, D. 580; and the Konzertstück in D major, D. 345, featuring violinist Andreas Janke. The layout of the other recordings in the series likely relegated the "Unfinished" to its own CD, which is probably a sign that none of the symphonic fragments will be included. In any case, while the concert pieces are attractive, the startling interpretation of "Unfinished" is the center of attention. Zinman takes it at a brisk clip, perhaps even too fast, and this may be a little disconcerting to anyone accustomed to the conventional approach where both movements are usually played at a moderate or even moderately slow pace. Here, the music is played with vigor and intense propulsion, and the bright, open sound of the orchestra is strikingly close to Classical period practice, despite the use of modern instruments. Audiophiles will think it unfortunate that these recordings are merely digital CDs, and not hybrid SACDs of the extraordinary depth and breadth heard in Zinman's Mahler set. But RCA's sound is exceptionally clear, crisply detailed, and quite exciting to hear.