Schubert - Symphony no.9; Debussy - Trois Nocturnes | Barbirolli Society SJB1112

Schubert - Symphony no.9; Debussy - Trois Nocturnes

£10.93

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Label: Barbirolli Society

Cat No: SJB1112

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Orchestral

Release Date: 21st April 2023

Contents

Artists

Halle Orchestra

Conductor

John Barbirolli

Works

Debussy, Claude

Nocturnes (3)

Schubert, Franz

Symphony no.9 in C major, D944 'Great'

Artists

Halle Orchestra

Conductor

John Barbirolli

About

Barbirolli had known Debussy’s Nocturnes for at least three decades. His love of and familiarity with Debussy’s music stemmed from the early 1920s, when – as a cellist – he had programmed the French master’s late Cello Sonata relatively frequently. The score of the three Nocturnes was completed less than two weeks after Barbirolli’s birth, in November 1899. The Nocturnes are generally assumed to be based upon a group of texts emanating from Henri de Régnier’s collection of Poèmes anciens et romanesques, first published in 1890.

Barbirolli’s Proms performance from 1965 is suffused with musical understanding of high quality. Note the almost complete silence of the large audience during the opening movement Nuages – testament to the compelling atmosphere Barbirolli conjures; the succeeding fleetness of touch in Fêtes is, frankly, masterly, and the concluding dynamics of the piano bars are demonstrably superb. The final movement, Sirènes, is a profoundly atmospheric conclusion – a sense of wonder that Barbirolli, his orchestra and choir, finely conjured from the notes on the printed page.

Schubert’s Symphony no.9 is given a performance of considerable insight and distinction, all the more remarkable for being ‘live’. Throughout this exceptional account, Barbirolli’s direction is always noble and grand, drawing poetry and a great beauty of sound from the orchestra. In addition there is plenty of power and punch in hand and the rhythmic drive maintained magnificently throughout.

Recorded: Royal Albert Hall, London – 20 July 1965 (Schubert) and 26 July 1965 (Debussy)

Previously unpublished recordings

Reviews

Over the years the Barbirolli Society has treated us to some remarkable recordings but this I think has to be among the very finest of them. The (mono) sound more than passes muster.  Rob Cowan
Gramophone July 2023
Gramophone Editor's Choice

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