Schubert: Symphonies, Vol. 3 - Nos 1 and 4 'Tragic'; Overture to Fierrabras

by Edward Gardner, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Overview

With the third volume in their survey of Schubert's Symphonies, Edward Gardner and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra present the composer's First and Fourth symphonies, with the Overture to his final complete opera, Fierrabras, D. 796, rounding out the program. While the Symphony No. 1 in D major, D. 82, and Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D. 417 ("Tragic"), aren't heard as often or as popular as his "Great" and "Unfinished" symphonies, there are plenty of recording options available for these works, and listener opinions are sure to vary as to Gardner's approach and the full complement of the City of Birmingham Symphony. The overall performance of the Symphony No. 1 is a little heavy, skewing to the more robust Romantic-era orchestral sound, though there are wonderful performances contained within. While the Symphony No. 1 looks back to the writings of Mozart and Haydn, similar to early Beethoven, the Symphony No. 4 (from a whole three years later!) finds a much more welcoming soundscape from Gardner and the orchestra. These forces align well for the Fierrabras Overture, and its inclusion offers a glimpse at this remarkable composer's growth over a ten-year span. Schubert suffered another disappointment with Fierrabras, and like much of his oeuvre, it has seen periods of neglect. However, one hopes this recording puts the Overture on the radar of those looking to offer something a little different in a program of Romantic orchestral works. ~ Keith Finke

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2023
Label:	Chandos
UPC:	0095115526521
Rank:	14819

Tracks

1. Symphony No. 1 in D major, D82~Adagio - Allegro vivace
2. Symphony No. 1 in D major, D82~Andante
3. Symphony No. 1 in D major, D82~Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio - Menuetto da capo
4. Symphony No. 1 in D major, D82~Allegro vivace
5. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'~Adagio molto - Allegro vivace
6. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'~Andante
7. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'~Menuetto. Allegro vivace - Trio - Menuetto da capo
8. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'~Allegro
9. Fierrabras, Op. 76, D. 796 - Heroic-romantic Opera in Three Acts~Overture. Andante - Allegro ma non troppo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Edward Gardner   Primary Artist,Conductor
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Franz Schubert   Composer
Jonathan Cooper   Assistant Engineer
Benjamin Ealovega   Photography
Brian Pidgeon   Recording Producer
Finn S. Gundersen   Booklet Editor
Andreas Klatt   Liner Note Translation
Ralph Couzens   Engineer
Marie-Stella Paris   Liner Note Translation
Alfredo Dagli Orti   Cover Photo
Sue Shortridge   A&R
Bayan Northcott   Liner Notes
Cass Cassidy   Design,Typesetting
Jonathan Martindale   Leader
Alexander James   Editing,Photography,Assistant Engineer
Hannah Fathers   Photography