Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphony No. 9 in C major, D 944 Great C major (1825/26)
[62.11]
Sinfonieorchester Basel/Dennis Russell Davies
rec. live, 2013 Stadt-Casino Basel Musiksaal, Switzerland
SINFONIEORCHESTER BASEL SOB 03 [62.11]
Sinfonieorchester Basel under chief conductor Dennis Russell Davies
continues its Schubert survey on its own label with the eternally popular
Great C major. The cover of the release names the symphony as No. 8
which is from the Neue Schubert-Ausgabe (New Schubert Edition) complete
catalogue of works.
I was interested to read the views of renowned Schubert authority Nikolaus
Harnoncourt who firmly believes the ‘Great’ C Major Symphony is “a colossal
edifice in which Schubert remakes the symphony … anyone who has experienced
this masterpiece is no longer the same as before.” Schubert’s final symphony
is a work he described in his personal letters as ‘a grand symphony’.
Clearly a labour of love, this winning reading combines glorious drama and
deep compassion. Rendered with assurance the first movement underlines the
distinct Beethovian/Wagnerian influence on the opening horn-calls. In the
Andante I relished the encounter between the primarily pastoral
quality of the fresh outdoors and the dramatic extremes. The dance melodies
in the
Scherzo are vivacious with the polished and spirited playing
having ideal bite. Engagingly expressive in the bold and courageous
Finale:
Allegro Vivace Davies exercises judicious control
as the movement flows purposefully towards its conclusion.
This Basel recording has to compete with a wealth of rivals. From my
collection the single standout is conducted by Claudio Abbado with the
Orchestra Mozart assembled at live concerts in 2011 at Bologna Auditorium
Manzoni and Bolzano Auditorium, Italy. That captivating Deutsche Grammophon
account has a wealth of orchestral detail and is quite beautifully played
and recorded.
For those requiring sets of the complete Schubert symphonies the
competition is still extremely tough, however, I can suggest four
impressively recommendable sets. My first choice is conducted by Karl Böhm
and the Berliner Philharmoniker recorded in 1963/71 in the exceptional
acoustic of Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin. As a Schubert conductor Böhm has
few peers. He conducts typically warm and polished performances for Deutsche
Grammophon. Newly released is the marvellous set from the Berliner
Philharmoniker under Nikolaus Harnoncourt recorded live in 2003-6 at the
Philharmonie, Berlin on the orchestra’s own label. The meticulous
Harnoncourt has made lengthy and serious study of Schubert’s own manuscripts
removing the inauthentic revisions that have become part of the scores. From
start to finish the well prepared orchestra plays magnificently with a sense
of spontaneity that carries the listener along on an enthralling journey.
There is an excellently played and recorded set conducted by István Kertész
and the Wiener Philharmoniker recorded in 1963-71 at the Sofiensaal, Vienna
on Decca. Rather under the radar but well worth investigating is the
impressive 2013 release from Lorin Maazel with the Symphonieorchester des
Bayerischen Rundfunks. All the symphonies were recorded live by Maazel in
2001 at the Prinzregententheater, Munich and after well over a decade have
finally been issued on a BR-Klassik set.
Recorded live in 2013 from Stadt-Casino Basel Musiksaal with the audience
applause taken out the sound team excels supplying clear and well balanced
sonics. Engaging the listener from start to finish in this wonderful
Schubert symphony the Sinfonieorchester Basel under Dennis Russell Davies
plays splendidly and provides expressive warmth and lots of orchestral
detail.
Michael Cookson
