Schubert's symphonic oeuvre with the unfinished 'Eighth' Symphony had almost died out like a candle. However, after four unsuccessful attempts, a stay in the Austrian Alps in 1825 worked wonders. Schubert regained his symphonic voice with the great 'Ninth' Symphony. But that also makes it one of his most enigmatic compositions, because what do those quotes from Beethoven's Ninth (Ode an die Freude)
… do in the finale? And what do all those curious style imitations of Hungarian gypsy music mean in the Andante con moto? Heavy food for musicologists to grit their teeth on. For the unsuspecting listener it remains just beautiful music, which needs no further explanation. And that also applies to this compelling performance by Philippe Herreweghe and deFilharmonie. From the evocative horn melody and triumphant apotheosis in the first movement to the exuberant finale, Schubert's music bubbles with fresh rhythmic vitality. A good example of how an early music specialist like Herreweghe can transform a contemporary symphony orchestra into its early nineteenth-century equivalent. (JWvR)more
