All seven of Schubert’s completed symphonies - plus the B minor fragment known as the ‘Unfinished’ - enjoy a popularity now which they haven‘t always had. Only the twentieth century gave these pieces the recognition they deserved and an appreciation of their true emotional depth.

All display his gift for pure and lovely melody, but there are great differences between the restraint of the earlier six symphonies and the last two, where he fully employed Romantic expression. His last symphony, the ‘Great’ C major Symphony, is both classic and romantic, combining the vitality of the classical period and the melancholy of his personality, the architecture of late 18th century classical music with an innovative and daring approach to structure, harmony and orchestration.

He mastered the symphonic form in his own way. This 4-CD set of the complete symphonies contains performances of Symphony Nos 1- 4 by the Hanover Band, conducted by Roy Goodman. These are part of their acclaimed cycle, recorded in the warm acoustic of All Saints’ Church in Tooting, which was the first ever complete set of Schubert’s symphonies performed on historic instruments. Gramophone hailed the performances as "striking and exciting” and “consistently bringing out the joy of the young Schubert’s inspiration.”

Symphony Nos 5-6 and Nos 8-9 are performed with polish and vitality by the Camerata Salzburg, directed by the great Hungarian conductor and violinist, Sándor Végh. The Salzburg Camerata Academica is a chamber orchestra whose smaller size and clarity of texture serves Végh’s interpretations well.

Contents:
CD 1
- Symphony No.1 in D D82
- Symphony No.2 in B flat D125
The Hanover Band / Roy Goodman

CD 2
- Symphony No.3 in D D200
- Symphony No.4 in C minor ‘Tragic’ D417
The Hanover Band / Roy Goodman

CD 3
- Symphony No.5 in B flat D485
- Symphony No.6 in C D589
Camerata Salzburg / Sándor Végh

CD 4
- Symphony No.8 in B minor ‘Unfinished’ D759
- Symphony No.9 in C ‘The Great’ D944
Camerata Salzburg / Sándor Végh