Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 5-6, 8-9, Rosamunde Overture & Ballet Music (Remastered) (SACD2)

SACD 1

1. Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D. 485, I. Allegro
2. Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D. 485, II. Andante con moto
3. Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D. 485, III. Menuetto, Allegro molto – Trio
4. Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D. 485, IV. Allegro vivace
5. Symphony No. 6 in C major, D. 589, I. Adagio – Allegretto
6. Symphony No. 6 in C major, D. 589, II. Andante
7. Symphony No. 6 in C major, D. 589, III. Scherzo, Presto – Trio: Più lento
8. Symphony No. 6 in C major, D. 589, IV. Allegro moderato
9. Rosamunde, Op. 26, D. 797, Overture from Die Zauberharfe, D. 644
10. Rosamunde, Op. 26, D. 797, Ballet Music No. 1, Allegro moderato

SACD 2

1. Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759, I. Allegro moderato
2. Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759, II. Andante con moto
3. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great”, I. Andante – Allegro ma non troppo
4. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great”, II. Andante con moto
5. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great”, III. Scherzo, Allegro vivace – Trio
6. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944 “The Great”, IV. Finale, Allegro vivace
7. Rosamunde, Op. 26, D. 797, Ballet Music No. 2, Andantino

Third release of our series of Herbert von Karajan Hybrid SACD releases with a new HD 192/24 remastering from the original tapes.

The cycle of Franz Schubert’s symphonies recorded by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic in the late 1970s (originally for EMI) remains an essential staple of the catalog. The recordings capture the Berlin “signature sound” of that era: a silky legato and incomparable orchestral fluidity, impressive power in the brass and percussion, and a spacious recording quality achieved within the generous acoustics of the Berlin Philharmonie.

It is in the final two symphonies that Karajan’s conducting fully flourishes. In the “Unfinished” Symphony, the Austrian conductor excels at establishing a mysterious and tragic atmosphere. The “Great” Symphony is undoubtedly the jewel of the cycle, where Karajan maintains a constant rhythmic pulse without ever sacrificing the plastic beauty of the sound, and the finale being a true demonstration of controlled power.

This set stands as a testament to a golden age of conducting, where sonic luxury served a monumental architectural vision of Schubert’s music.