Schubert / City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra- Symphonies Vol. 4 (Hybr) (CD)
Edward Gardner's Schubert cycle concludes with the 'Great' Symphony No. 9 in C major. Having (remarkably) composed a symphony a year between 1813 and 1818, the onset of syphilis and it's intrusive treatment seemed to shake the composer's confidence as a symphonist - the Ninth is the only symphony after those first six that he actually completed. This is attributed by many to a wonderful holiday with friends in the high Austrian Alps that seems to have re-ignited his enthusiasm. The nickname 'Great' may originally have arisen to distinguish it from the 'little' C major Symphony (No. 6), but is apt, as the Ninth is on so much greater a scale than any symphony before it, which can run to almost an hour in some performances. The soprano Mary Bevan joins Edward Gardner and the CBSO in a selection of orchestral songs that complete the album. One was orchestrated by Schubert himself, the others are settings by Britten, Berlioz, Brahms, and Reger.
Tracklist:
- Forelle, Op. 32, D 550 in D flat major
- Rosamunde, D. 797~No. 3b Romanze
- Roi des aulnes, from "Erlkönig~[Excerpt]
- Geheimes, Op. 14 No. 2, D 719 in A flat major
- Im Abendrot, D 799 in A flat major
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~Andante - Allegro ma non troppo - Più mosso
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~Andante con moto
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio - Scherzo da capo
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~[Finale.] Allegro vivace
Edward Gardner's Schubert cycle concludes with the 'Great' Symphony No. 9 in C major. Having (remarkably) composed a symphony a year between 1813 and 1818, the onset of syphilis and it's intrusive treatment seemed to shake the composer's confidence as a symphonist - the Ninth is the only symphony after those first six that he actually completed. This is attributed by many to a wonderful holiday with friends in the high Austrian Alps that seems to have re-ignited his enthusiasm. The nickname 'Great' may originally have arisen to distinguish it from the 'little' C major Symphony (No. 6), but is apt, as the Ninth is on so much greater a scale than any symphony before it, which can run to almost an hour in some performances. The soprano Mary Bevan joins Edward Gardner and the CBSO in a selection of orchestral songs that complete the album. One was orchestrated by Schubert himself, the others are settings by Britten, Berlioz, Brahms, and Reger.
Tracklist:
- Forelle, Op. 32, D 550 in D flat major
- Rosamunde, D. 797~No. 3b Romanze
- Roi des aulnes, from "Erlkönig~[Excerpt]
- Geheimes, Op. 14 No. 2, D 719 in A flat major
- Im Abendrot, D 799 in A flat major
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~Andante - Allegro ma non troppo - Più mosso
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~Andante con moto
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio - Scherzo da capo
- Symphony No. 9, D 944 `Great' in C major for Large Orchestra~[Finale.] Allegro vivace