Volume 2 in a series tagged “Complete Overtures,” this release contains music that, save for the familiar Rosamunde Overture and the two “in the Italian style,” is comparatively unfamiliar. In general, if not always, comprising top-drawer Schubert, it nonetheless abounds in traits that stamp his genius: an exceptional gift for melody, a prevailing lyric buoyancy, and occasional ventures—especially in some slow introductions—that offer haunting harmonic excursions into dark areas. All of these traits emerge in these fine performances, at once unmannered, animated but unhurried, and benefitting from transparent orchestral textures and a sonority that is never too weighty. Certainly for those who care about Schubert (which should encompass at least 99 percent of our readership), this is a disc well worth acquiring, especially at its bargain price. The sound throughout is first-rate.

Volume 1 of this set was immensely enjoyable (8.570328); but nowhere near as much as the present volume. The Overtures are arranged in rough chronological order, so that whilst those in the first disc were undoubtedly enjoyable, it has to be admitted that none could be described showing the composer at the top of his art. When we come to the present disc, however, we find not only several pieces which are deservedly very familiar and often played, in particular the two Overtures in the Italian Style and that usually known as “Rosamunde” (D644), but above all the immensely impressive Overture to “Fierabras”. Whilst the opera to which it belongs may be a lost cause it is extraordinary that the Overture is not played more often. It has all the characteristics and quality of Schubert’s later Symphonies and Piano Sonatas. The present performance combines urgency and sensitivity and if you do not have a recording already the disc would probably be worth having for it alone.

The first three Overtures on the disc are all relatively lightweight but utterly delightful. Although the two “in the Italian Style” do make use of some of the manner of Rossini Overtures who was very popular in Vienna at the time, they now seem even more “in the early Schubert Symphony style”, with delightfully fresh melodies, copious use of solo wind instruments, and a prevailing cheerfulness of manner. The two “Rosamunde” Overtures are too well known to need comment, but like all the rest they are played here with great panache. Amazingly despite certain superficial similarities between all the various Overtures I found that the disc was one which it was a great pleasure to play through as a whole.

The recording is clear without being too close, and the booklet notes are helpful and well laid out. To have all of Schubert’s Overtures on disc may seem a luxury, but with performances like this you can only wonder why it has not been done before.