Franz Schubert: Vierjahrige Posten (Phoenix Edition Audio CD)

Franz Schubert’s two Singspiele presented on this new disc are works often overshadowed by his more famous masterpieces. Nevertheless, Christoph Spering and his excellent group of musicians demonstrate that this is unjust, both works sounding unbelievably refreshing deserving their own merit.

It is apt that Spering conducts these little known Schubert works with Das Neue Orchester and Chorus Musicus Köln (both of which Spering is director/conductor of). Both Spering and orchestra devote themselves to unknown or rediscovered repertoire. Das Neue Orchester was the first German orchestra to apply to results of historic performance practice up to the Romantic period.

“With his polished period-instrument orchestra and fresh-toned chorus Christoph Spering gives a sympathetic, shrewdly paced account of the score, allowing the lyrical numbers plenty of breathing space and revealing a light, pointed touch in the comic ensembles.” Gramophone on a previous Schubert recording featuring Das Neue Orchester, Chorus Musicus Köln and Christoph Spering

Aga Mikolaj, Stephan Genz, Andreas Karasiak, Thomas Jakobs, Chorus Musicus Köln, Das Neue Orchester, Christoph Spering