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Schubert: Symphony No. 8, D. 944, "Grosse C-Dur Sinfonie" (The Great)

11/18/2013, 4 Tracks, 1:02:14

Featuring

  • Dennis Russell Davies
  • Sinfonieorchester Basel
  • Franz Schubert

Did you know?

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Recording & Production

This recording of Schubert's Symphony No. 8 by the Sinfonieorchester Basel and Dennis Russell Davies is a live recording from the Casino Basel Musiksaal, made between June 3rd and 5th, 2013.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

Schubert composed his Symphony No. 8 in 1825/26, but it only received a run-through by a conservatory orchestra before his death in 1828, with its concert premiere date remaining unclear.

Source: Booklet

Notable Performances

The legendary Leipzig concert in March 1839, conducted by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, is widely considered the premiere of Schubert's Symphony No. 8, after Robert Schumann discovered the score.

Source: Booklet

Critical Reception

Despite its success, Schubert's Symphony No. 8 was often criticized as "too long," a verdict that has persisted since its first performances, with even Dvorák accusing Schubert of "effusiveness."

Source: Booklet

Performer Biography

Dennis Russell Davies, the principal conductor of the Sinfonieorchester Basel since 2009, is known for his extensive repertoire, particularly his focus on modern music, and has collaborated closely with composers like Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt.

Source: Booklet

Cultural Impact

Robert Schumann's famous remark about the symphony's "heavenly length" and his comparison to a novel by Jean Paul sparked an ongoing debate about the piece's narrative character and a possible "poetic idea."

Source: Booklet

Compositional Technique

Schubert's Symphony No. 8, also known as the "Great C major Symphony," expanded tonality and form, notably using the orchestra as a tone generator for extensive harmonic developments rather than just motivic work.

Source: Booklet

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©℗ 2013 Sinfonieorchester Basel