Schubert: Symphony No. 9; Haydn: Symphony No. 88

A Three-Fold Masterpiece

This historic CD features two symphonic masterpieces, Schubert's 9th in C major, the "Great" and Haydn's 88th in G major, performed by William Furtwangler conducting the Berlin Philharmonic. The sound of the orchestra is unusually round, warm and full. I found these performances overwhelming.

Furtwangler was a leading romantic conductor of the mid-20th Century who distrusted the recording studio. His performance of the Schubert Ninth shows great fluidity of tempo and rhythm -- witness how the music develops inexorably from the slow horn-call of the opening to the allegro tempo of the movement -- and great control of dynamics. The performance captures the lyricism and drama of this, one of the greatest of all symphonies. Furtwangler's reading also preserves the unity and form of this work -- no mean accomplishment given its length, difficulty and repetitive passages which sometimes defeat this symphony in the hands of a lesser conductor and musicians.

The Haydn 88th receives an incandescent reading. It is one of the best and most inspiring performances of Haydn I have heard. It is a large scale rather than a chamber reading which captures the spirit of the music in a way that is also idiosyncratic and romantic in character.

Schubert's Ninth is one of the glories of music full of song, drama, and heroism. It is a lengthy difficult symphony that was controversial in its day. (Schubert could not get it performed.) It opens with a famous call for the horns in a theme that becomes the basis for the first movement. This theme alternates with a more dramatic, lively second theme. The first movement is both lyrical and heroic and is conducted here with high seriousness. The second movement begins with a long, lyrical theme for the oboe followed by sections of deep tranquility and high passion. The winds come through well in this mono-era recording. The third movement begins with a brusque theme in the lower strings followed by a trio which is the epitome of heroism. (I recently read a book on the Battle of Gettysburg in which the author, Kent Gramm, aptly referred to the third movement of this symphony as an appropriate symbol for the stand of the Union's "Iron Brigade" at McPherson's Ridge on the first day of the Battle. This is a rare comparison which helped me understand better both Schubert's music and the battle.) The long, difficult finale, with its triplet theme, and dramatically descending scale passages, is a great movement of symphonic music.

Schubert's Ninth sings of heroism and strength in the face of death. Furtwangler conveys the strength, lyricism and depth of this score by a composer of genius who died young.

Haydn's symphony no. 88, unlike Schubert's 9th, is a work of a composer who lived to maturity. The first movement opens with a slow introduction consisting of large, stately chords followed by a few bars of a flowing theme. This is followed by an allegro which opens with a soft, brushing theme and then gets louder. Furtwangler's reading shows great command of dynamics and use of the winds as the movement progresses. The slow movement features a theme which is repeated and embellished several times with different accompaniments and textures. It is the highlight of this symphony. The minuet is both glittering and stately in a theme given forth by the strings with the tympani in the background. Furtwangler slows down for the trio which flows in the strings with an accompaning drone figure. After a huge and dramatic crescendo, the theme of the minuet returns. The finale is a rondo, quick and humorous, with a lively skipping theme. There are two dramatic episodes followed by a sweeping uptempo close. Furtwangler in this recording treats Haydn with utmost seriousness and depth. He allows the listener to hear that Haydn was a truly great composer and that the 88th is music of the highest order.

This is an essential CD for three reasons: Furtwangler's conducting, Schubert's music, and Haydn's music. Bravo throughout.

Robin Friedman