Schubert: Orchestral Favourites Vol. 15

NI7098

£10.99

Details

"This is the first 'authentic' Schubert symphony cycle past the finishing post ... But are the much lauded advantages of period instruments in evidence here: the supposed enhancement of textural transparency, more sharply defined rhythms etc? The answer is yes." Jonathan Swain, Gramophone

The Hanover Band was the first Period Instrument Orchestra to record a complete Beethoven Symphony cycle and having accomplished this remarkable achievement they set sights for Schubert. The Complete Symphony set is available but these gems were not included so we are delighted that they are now available once again.

From an early age Schubert had been deeply interested in composing for the theatre and was commissioned to compose incidental music for Helmina von Chezy's four-act play Rosamunde, Furstin von Zypern. Rosamunde was premiere d on 20 December 1823 and withdrawn after only one further performance. The ten numbers which Schubert composed for this production comprise three entr'actes, two ballets, two vocal solos and three choruses. As an overture he used the one which he had written for his unperformed opera Alfonso und Estrella (1821-22), and as late as 1826 he referred to this as his Rosamunde Overture. The Overture to Die Zauberharfe, which later became known as the Rosamunde Overture, only acquired this association when it was published in a piano duet version together with a selection from the incidental music to Chezy's play in 1827.

Reviews

"This Recording by the Hanover Band is from the complete set of Schubert Symphonies (also available) recorded using period instruments. Is this a success? I believe it is. We now have music played as Schubert intended for the listener of the day. There are many recordings of the Unfinished Symphony, This one on this disc is also available on the four disc set No: NI5270. The real gems not included previously are :The Overture Alfonso und Estrella D732, Music from Rosemunda-Incidental music D797 and His Overture D644. The sound of original instruments for me was a wake up call. I recommend this to all lovers of Franz Schubert and all that like to hear this period music on Original instruments."-Philip Ashton

This album offers us interesting recordings of a handful of his orchestral pieces. The CD is part of the famous Nimbus Orchestral Favorites series, which is reviewing the best and best of the genre. The album includes three selections: the Opening in Do Major D.591, incidental music for Rosamunde D. 797 and finally the famous Symphony no. 8 in D Minor.759, also known as Unfinished Symphony. Not at all Opening in D Major is subtitled “in the Italian style”. As with the Sixth Symphony, Schubert accuses here particularly in the wind solos of the Adagio the great influence of Rossini, both fashionable in Vienna at that time. Follow a selection of music that the composer wrote for Rosamunde, Furstin von Zypern by Hermina von Chezy. Curiously, the opening that normally associates with Rosamunde actually corresponds to Die Zauerharfe. This album is replaced by the opening that originally appeared on stage and that Schubert borrowed from his opera Alfonso un Estrella, never released until the author's death. Close the collection the famous Unfinished Symphony no. 8. His first two movements, completed by the composer to the last detail, count on the best pages of the great Austrian. The Hanover Band, a well-known British orchestral ensemble of period instruments that has recorded 176 recordings. His name is inspired by the Hanoverian period (1714-1830) and this time they appear under the command of one of its principal directors, Roy Goodman who, besides being a reputed director, is also known as a specialized violinist in old music The interpretation offered in this album is particularly rich, correct, brilliant and full of expressiveness, which does justice to an orchestral composer too often considered a mere melodist. Sonograma Magazine