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Sir Colin Davis conducts Schubert (FLAC)

Sir Colin Davis conducts Schubert (FLAC)

Composer: Franz Schubert
Orchestra: Staatskapelle Dresden
Conductor: Sir Colin Davis
Number of Discs: 4
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: RCA
Catalogue: 88875127062
Release: 2015
Size: 1.17 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover

CD 01
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, D. 82
01. I. Adagio – Allegro vivace
02. II. Andante
03. III. Menuetto. Allegro
04. IV. Allegro vivace

Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D. 200
05. I. Adagio maestoso – Allegro con brio
06. II. Allegretto
07. III. Menuetto vivace
08. IV. Presto vivace

Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D. 759, “Unfinished”
09. I. Allegro moderato
10. II. Andante con moto

CD 02
Symphony No. 2 in B-Flat Major, D. 125
01. I. Largo – Allegro vivace
02. II. Andante
03. III. Menuetto. Allegro vivace – Trio
04. IV. Presto

Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, D. 417, “Tragic”
05. I. Adagio molto – Allegro vivace
06. II. Andante
07. III. Menuetto. Allegro viviace – Trio
08. IV. Allegro

CD 03
Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, D. 485
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Andante con moto
03. III. Menuetto. Allegro molto
04. IV. Allegro vivace

Symphony No. 6 in C Major, D. 589, “Little C Major”
05. I. Adagio – Allegro
06. II. Andante
07. III. Scherzo. Presto
08. IV. Allegro moderato

CD 04
Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944, “The Great”
01. I. Andante – Allegro ma non troppo
02. II. Andante con moto
03. III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace – Trio
04. IV. Finale. Allegro vivace

Acclaimed for his great recordings of works by Mozart and Berlioz, it is a little surprising that Sir Colin Davis is not equally hailed for his superb renditions of Schubert’s symphonies, a repertoire for which this conductor’s blending of Classical elegance and Romantic passion is perfectly suited. Previously released as a box set in 1996, this RCA Complete Collection reveals Davis as a masterful interpreter of Schubert’s unique uses of symphonic form; and his performances have real momentum and coherence, the two qualities that hold these symphonies together. Davis’ sense of trajectory is plainly evident in the first six symphonies, which adhere to Classical models and depend on forward motion and clear structures to convey the unity of their movements. But propulsion is even more critical in the more expansive frameworks of the Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished,” and the Symphony No. 9, “The Great.” In these, Davis holds a tight rein on tempi and the rhythmic elements that propel Schubert’s developments, and this control makes the Symphony No. 8 even more urgent and the Symphony No. 9 truly riveting, despite its extraordinary length. The Staatskapelle Dresden is exceptional throughout, playing with precise articulation, focused energy, and full orchestral sonority, and RCA’s sound quality is very close to its best.

With all 9 of Franz Schubert’s symphonies, this 4 CD boxset presents a fantastic collection of Sir Colin Davis’ work with the Staatskapelle Dresden, where he was a principal guest conductor, and appointed honorary conductor (Ehrendirigent) in 1990, the first in the orchestra’s 460-year-history.

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