Mary Bevan: Schubert: Symphonies, Vol. 4 – SUPER-AUDIO CD

Title: Schubert: Symphonies, Vol. 4
Artist: Mary Bevan
Label: Chandos
Product Type: SUPER-AUDIO CD
UPC: 095115535424
Genre: Classical Artists
Release Date: 2025-03-14
Number of Discs: 1
Additional Details: HYBRID SACD

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.

Tracks:
1.1 Forelle, Op. 32, D 550 in D flat major
1.2 Rosamunde, D. 797~No. 3b Romanze
1.3 Roi des aulnes, from “Erlkönig~[Excerpt]
1.4 Geheimes, Op. 14 No. 2, D 719 in A flat major
1.5 Im Abendrot, D 799 in A flat major
1.6 Symphony No. 9, D 944 ‘Great’ in C major for Large Orchestra~Andante – Allegro ma non troppo – Più mosso
1.7 Symphony No. 9, D 944 ‘Great’ in C major for Large Orchestra~Andante con moto
1.8 Symphony No. 9, D 944 ‘Great’ in C major for Large Orchestra~Scherzo. Allegro vivace – Trio – Scherzo da capo
1.9 Symphony No. 9, D 944 ‘Great’ in C major for Large Orchestra~[Finale.] Allegro vivace