Franz Schubert - Symphonies, Vol. 4 (Edward Gardner)

Information

Composer: Franz Schubert

• Die Forelle, Op. 32, D. 550 (arr. Benjamin Britten)
• Rosamunde, D. 797: IIIb. Romanze. Der Vollmond strahlt auf Bergeshöh'n
• Erlkönig, Op. 1, D. 328 (arr. Hector Berlioz)
• Geheimes, Op. 14 No. 2, D. 719 (arr. Johannes Brahms)
• Im Abendrot, D. 799 (arr. Max Reger)
• Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944 "The Great"

Mary Bevan, soprano

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Edward Gardner, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: Chandos

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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 its 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.

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