Heinz Holliger’s energetic approach to Schubert pays off in this recording of these two symphonies. The bright Symphony No. 3 fizzes...In the rather more sombre overture to Alfonso und Estrella, Schubert’s exploratory manipulations of tonality and structure, as if constantly working on the element of surprise, is underscored by Holliger’s attentive approach, here as in the composer’s Second Symphony.

These are thrusting performances, brimming with a palpable belief in the quality of the music and making their points with confidence and character. The evolving seriousness of the long opening movement of the Second Symphony, especially, is marshalled into an argument of powerful, gripping intensity...there is something especially satisfying in the performances of Holliger and his Basel ensemble.