Schubert: Symphony in Bm No8, D759; Symphony in C No9, D944

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sir Charles Mackerras has already recorded this music with the period instrument Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, but these modern orchestra versions are better still. He seems to have both a firmer grasp of the musical argument, and lighter hand with repeats (thank God--especially in the frequently endless Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony). The Scottish Chamber Orchestra gives him everything he asks for, and Telarc's sonics are just right. --David Hurwitz

Schubert: Symphony in Bm No8, D759; Symphony in C No9, D944, Music, Franz Schubert, Sir Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral & Symphonic, Romantic Symphony, Symphonic

Average customer rating:

A Great Moment in Schubert

Definitely Great!

Mackerras' Great Interpretations of Schubert's 8th & 9th

A true revelation, beautifully recorded!

Schubert: Symphony in Bm No8, D759; Symphony in C No9, D944

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000DG29
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

Andante - Allegro Ma No Troppo
Andante Con Moto
Scherzo: Allegro Vivace
Finale: Allegro Vivace
Allegro Moderato
Andante Con Moto

Amazon.com

Sir Charles Mackerras has already recorded this music with the period instrument Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, but these modern orchestra versions are better still. He seems to have both a firmer grasp of the musical argument, and lighter hand with repeats (thank God--especially in the frequently endless Scherzo of the Ninth Symphony). The Scottish Chamber Orchestra gives him everything he asks for, and Telarc's sonics are just right. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

A Great Moment in Schubert.......2002-07-06

With this CD, Sir Charles gives us, the listeners, a fresh new take on these two masterpieces. It features all of Mackerras' usual trademarks: an unbelievable tightness and clarity of sound as well as a rich yet controlled emotionalism--an earlier reviewer said that the finale of the "Great" symphony will "explode out of your speakers" or something to that effect, and that reviewer is right. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is up to the task, responding with a nimble quickness that is paradoxically light and powerful at the same time; the players produce a rich, dark sound while at the same time staying together and keeping everything up-tempo. Part of this is the prominent role given to the brass, which sound more "natural" (i.e., period instrument type) than on other recordings; however, here as in many other Telarc recordings, the balance between instrument families is as close to perfect as it could possibly be. Overall, Mackerras and the SCO give these two recordings a grandiose, bravura feeling that's very rarely found anywhere else. I have only two minor complaints. One is that Mackerras tends to rush through the endings of movements, keeping the drama of the music from reaching its absolute, fullest potential (though it comes darn close). Also, stylistically the music doesn't feel as Viennese as on other Schubert recordings I've heard, and perhaps more than any other composer, Schubert needs to feel Viennese. In particular, the first movement of the Unfinished Symphony as it's recorded here doesn't seem to be a lamentation as much as an outburst. The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, strangely enough, did a better job ensuring that these symphonies were stylistically correct. However, if Mackerras occasionally sacrifices style for raw power, that's a small, small quibble with a CD that's otherwise so technically precise and passionate with such wonderful sound quality. In short, while this CD may not provide the "classic" or "definitive" interpretation of these two symphonies, it gives us a new take on said symphonies that's excellently done from start to finish, and definitely worth a place in any music lover's library.

Definitely Great!.......2002-05-02

Schubert's Symphony No. 9 is written on such a grand scale and full of such bravado that you cannot help but be inspired to conquer a small country while listening to it. Sir Charles Mackerras brings dedicated restraint into line with optimum tempo and the result is momentous. You will wish you were conducting yourself! The orchestra is an hybrid mix of modern instruments and natural horns. The effect is splendid on the ear and actually balances quite well. The Scherzo is thunderous and the Finale will stampede from your speakers. The "Unfinished" symphony is plaintive and actually seems quite remorseful. It is lovingly rendered here just after the 9th. So you will have to wipe the big smile off your face and reach for your hankie. Telarc captures all the nuances in shining clarity. You will not want to miss this recording!

Mackerras' Great Interpretations of Schubert's 8th & 9th.......2002-04-08

This splendid recording is an excellent testament to musical scholarship and performance at its finest. Mackerras leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a spirited, consistently fine performance of Schubert's "Great" C Major (9th) Symphony noted for the steady, even tempi of its movements. Mackerras does a great job emphasizing the score's complex architecture without losing sight of its elegantly melodic qualities; sadly most performances I've heard live or recorded have tended to emphasize either the score's architecture or melodies, not both simultaneously (A classic case in point is Haitink's interpretation with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra which I heard last month at Carnegie Hall; Haitink was much more interested in the score's lyrical qualities.). Mackerras' deferrence to Schubert's original intentions, most notably with the opening horn solo of the 1st movement, makes much sense, especially in the transitions from pianissimo to forte (soft to loud) throughout the score. My only minor criticism is that the orchestra's performance of the fourth movement didn't sound as vibrant as the Vienna Philharmonic's (That may be due to the fact that waltz music is quite familiar to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; Schubert alludes to this Viennese music in this movement.); otherwise the level of musicianship is identical. Mackerras' interpretation of the 8th "Unfinished" Symphony is equally inspired, and rewarded with lush, warm playing from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Certainly both performances have to be regarded as the definitive versions of these symphonies. I own and admire greatly Mackerras' period instrument versions with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightment, but the Scottish Chamber Orchestra's playing sounds a bit warmer and more inspired. Telarc's sound quality is absolutely first rate.

A true revelation, beautifully recorded!.......1998-12-03

Intrigued by Sir Charles Mackerras's recording of Schubert's 10th Symphony in D with the SCO (Hyperion CDA 67000) I thought his Telarc recording of the 8th and 9th was worth a punt. Boy was it ever! Most recordings of the "Unfinished" tend to be melancholy. Most recordings of the "Great" tend to be flaccid and rambling. This recording is neither. The secret is using the manuscript's tempi. For the "Great" Mackerras reinstates the two beats to a bar tempo, instead of the usual four. This

Tracks:

Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D.417 'Tragic': Adagio molto - Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D.417 'Tragic': Andante
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D.417 'Tragic': Menuett (Allegro vivace)
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D.417 'Tragic': Allegro
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor, D.759 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, D.417: Andante con moto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 9 In C, D.944 'The Great': Andante - Allegro ma non troppo - Piu moto
Symphony No. 9 In C, D.944 'The Great': Andante con moto
Symphony No. 9 In C, D.944 'The Great': Scherzo: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 9 In C, D.944 'The Great': Allegro vivace
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Chorale
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Poco piu animato
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Piu vivace
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Con moto
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Andante con moto
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Vivace
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Vivace
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Grazioso
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Presto non troppo
Variations On A Theme By Haydn 'St. Antoni Chorale': Finale

Customer Reviews:

My All-Time Favorite.......2003-05-03

I have loved Sir John Barbirolli's orchestration of Schubert's 9th Symphony since I first bought it on vinyl 35 years ago. It has always been my favorite symphony, and in my opinion no other version I have ever heard has such rich harmonies and such perfect timing. Barbirolli is absolutely the best! I was thrilled to discover the existence of this CD because I had pretty much worn out the album. The mastery is perfect... just as I remember the original, but with all the quality of a present-day recording. Then you throw in Schubert's 8th and the Brahms variations... what more could anyone want on a two-CD set? If you love classical music, you need to have this in your collection.