Schubert: Symphony No. 10 and Other Unfinished Symphonies

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Schubert almost composed three symphonies (aside from the official "Unfinished" symphony) that exist in varying stages of completion. Many musicologists have had a hand in arranging them for performances, and this fine disc offers what must be the best selection on disc of these tantalizing bits and pieces. For anyone interested in this composer, this disc will be self-recommending. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Symphony In D Major D615: Adagio - Allegro moderato
Symphony In D Major D615: (Allegretto)
Symphony In D Major D708A: (Allegro vivace)
Symphony In D Major D708A: (Andante con moto)
Symphony In D Major D708A: (Scherzo & Trio: Allegro vivace)
Symphony In D Major D708A: (Presto)
Symphony No.10 In D Major, D936A: (Allegro maestroso)
Symphony No.10 In D Major, D936A: Andante
Symphony No.10 In D Major, D936A: Allegro moderato

Amazon.com

Schubert almost composed three symphonies (aside from the official "Unfinished" symphony) that exist in varying stages of completion. Many musicologists have had a hand in arranging them for performances, and this fine disc offers what must be the best selection on disc of these tantalizing bits and pieces. For anyone interested in this composer, this disc will be self-recommending. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Where Schubert was going.......2007-04-10

I have had a longtime interest in music that composers have left unfinished and has subsequently been put into a performance edition. Often, the realization is very successful as with Mahler's Tenth Symphony and Elgar's Third. I would also include this disc of unfinished symphonies of Franz Schubert.

The three works on this disc are all in D major, which was a key Schubert was fond of using, and exist in piano sketches. Initially, the manuscripts, all found in the same folio, were thought to be a single work but close examination of the manuscript paper watermarks has shown the sketches were not one but three symphonies. The works were assigned Deutsch numbers with the earliest of the fragments from 1818, written just after the Sixth Symphony. These are brief fragments (with a performance time of just over 7 minutes) that provide hints about the contemplated work. The next symphony (D708A) comes from 1820-21 with the Scherzo existing in an almost completed state (about 8 minutes) with the other three movements together just about as long.

The most substantive of the sketches is the Symphony No. 10 (D 936A but should be D985C) that Schubert was writing up to the day of his death and represents his final thoughts on the symphonic form. At over 29 minutes this is an impressive realization that shows the maturity of the composer's music. While listening to the music I was struck by similarities to Brahms but only just; Schubert's voice shines through the three movements. The first movement opens with a distinctive fanfare-like theme and develops an interesting lyrical melody that is passed between various instruments, then returns to the fanfare-like theme for development. The second movement opens with a reflective melody for the woodwinds that gradually develops into a stately mood for the horns that sounds much like music for a procession. The music continues in a gently reflective mood. The booklet suggests tat the second movement looks forward to Mahler but this is pushing the idea; for me, again, there is more of Schumann and Brahms to the music, however, this is only an impression. The final movement begins with an energetic dance melody played by strings and woodwinds and gradually build brining in the horns followed by more and more instruments of the orchestra.

The music is highly interesting and well-played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. The music is certainly of more than pure academic interest and is very appealing and thought provoking. I would also be interested in hearing the unfinished Seventh Symphony (D 729) that Schubert wrote in full score. The booklet is very informative and has several photographs of Schubert's birthplace.

Schubert's 10th = Pure Gold..........2007-01-16

Newbould's realization of Schubert's 10th Symphony (D.936) is worth it's weight in pure gold.

Especially fine is the prescient-Mahlerian andante: this exquisitely elegiac piece with its plangent English horn solo over extensive pizzicato strings sounds as if it were contemporary with the Kindertotenlieder--how marvelous! This 10 min line is worth the price of admission alone.
The other two allegro movements are memorable as well. Total time: 30 mins.

Caveat: the other two "unfinished symphonies" on this disc are utterly negligible.

No spark of genius?.......2006-12-10

I have to admit I'm cheating: I haven't heard this particular version of Symphony #10, but I have owned the Marriner performance of it for fifteen years or so, and I think I need to contradict "Santa Fe Listener" sharply. The Tenth is not finished, no, and as a result it's rather oddly constructed; we don't even know how many movements it would have had had Schubert been able to work on it longer, nor can we be sure Newbould has the tempos right.

But what we do know--or at least my very strong opinion of what we know--is that Schubert was well on the way to a depth he had never reached before. The second movement, especially, is gorgeous. Great as the Ninth is--and it is!--I'm pretty sure the Tenth would have surpassed it, maybe that it does even as it stands.

Tastes differ, of course, but don't be fooled. The texture of the Tenth is spare, almost thin. This is music that stretches into the distance, to the edge where lush Romanticism changes into something else. There is no sense regretting that he couldn't finish it and then go farther still (as he would have done). Just be glad we have this extraordinary reconstruction. Listen to it, either Marriner or Mackerras. No other music I've met is very much like it.

If you like Schubert, you want this.......2006-08-22

I've always admired Schubert's symphonies but nothing prepared me for such a wonderful Tenth, an incredible work masterly completed by Newbould and with a no-nonsense approach from Mackerras. For the 10th alone this is worth buying. You'll be amazed and keep wondering what would happen to the musical world should that poor fellow made it a bit longer through his life.
I've actually owned this one for years and only heard the other works once, since I can't help hearing the 10th again and again. 1st movement, epic and lyrical, in true Schubertian fashion. Same for the 2nd, but here some previously unheard of touches (by any composer probably) become to emerge when finally, for the last movement, a stunning counterpoint explosion, so elegantly unpretentious and original, making for an experience you'll never forget.

Nice to take to a musicologist's picnic.......2005-11-27

The reviewer below explains the genesis of these fragments, all in D major, of symphonies Schubert never finished. He was cautious about his progress as a symphonist, cowed by the example of Beethoven and discouraged by the fialure to gain performances. These fragments are extremely minor, despite the fact that the last group are sketches for a Tenth Sym. They show not even a spark of genius, and the timid reconstructions by Brian Newbould don't help. Nor do the pallid, mincing performances given by Mackerras and a lackluster Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Pass, unless you are a musicologist yourself.

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