Schubert: Symphonies 1-9

Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Harnoncourt, Nikolaus

ICAC 5160

This release celebrates the partnership of the distinguished conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt (1929-2016) directing the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE) in a memorable cycle of the complete Schubert Symphonies at the Styriarte Festival in Graz, Austria during July 1988.

The Schubert Symphonies are all ‘live’ performances, beautifully recorded by the ORF (Austrian Radio), creating an extra degree of spontaneity and atmosphere compared to studio recordings. The feeling of being at the Styriarte Festival in Graz is tangible

These recordings have never been published until now

The 4CD set is luxuriously packaged in a clamshell box with individual wallets containing full details of tracks, dates and venues, together with a 24-page booklet complete with rare photographs, an essay from Simon Mundy interspersed with anecdotes and memories from COE players from the July 1988 concerts

Technical supervision has been carried out by Paul Baily (Re: Sound & Abbey Road) with the aid of Christian Eisenberger, a COE player, to create the exact sound of the concerts

A further major set (10 CDs) is planned for Spring 2021 with Nikolaus Harnoncourt to commemorate the COE’s 40th anniversary.

Works:

• Schubert: Symphony No. 1 in D major, D82
• Schubert: Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, D125
• Schubert: Symphony No. 3 in D major, D200
• Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'
• Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D485
• Schubert: Symphony No. 6 in C major, D589
• Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D759 'Unfinished'
• Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major, D944 'The Great'

CD

ICA Classics

2.11.2020

5060244551602

Gramophone: 'Gramophone Choice' (2021), MusicWeb International: 'Recommended' (2021)