Schubert - Symphony No.9 Cherubini, Cornelius – Overtures

1. Anacreon, ou L'amour fugitif: Overture
 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra	9:30
2. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, "Great": I. Andante - Allegro ma non troppo
 BBC Symphony Orchestra	14:17	
3. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, "Great": II. Andante con moto
 BBC Symphony Orchestra	13:41
4. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, "Great": III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Trio
 BBC Symphony Orchestra	14:26
5. Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, "Great": IV. Finale: Allegro vivace	
 BBC Symphony Orchestra	11:55
6. Der Barbier von Bagdad (The Barber of Bagdad): Overture
 BBC Symphony Orchestra	7:51

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Adrian Boult – conductor

The beloved Ninth Symphony is, for sure, among Schubert's major works and here we have a live account which further upholds the grandeur and fame of his artistic insight. The response of the BBC Symphony to their conductor is awesome. Recorded August 1969 at the Royal Albert Hall, the symphony reveals its many glories through an urgent reading : Boult was able to maintain a tension, though elusive, besides the intriguing dark tone of the orchestra, providing the work a "thickness" and subdued abandon that make it sound greater in magnitude. The playing is taut ; the musical integrity is reinforced as is the characterization of shadings--a true quality chez Boult, just as heard in his masterly English repertory. This is by all means a Ninth that compares, simply, with the best. Among my favorites you'll usually find the likes of Wilhelm Furtwangler, as well as a most splendid version by Wolfgang Sawallisch (Philips cd 422 977-2). Like them, Boult manages to preserve the "Germanic" quality of Schubert's music (i say this because some people have dismissed his adeptness outside the typical English repertory). The sound is good, on average. The filler tracks by Cornelius and Cherubini, certainly "obscure" material, are still good enough to satisfy the amateur of Schubert (in particular, the Overture to Anacreon which has its share of exquisite orchestral qualities).

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