Composer Joseph Haydn composed 104 symphonies, but Schubert did just 9, and one of them was “unfinished”. But Schubert was only 31 when he died…
My personal favorite is the Schubert #5, and the reason is that it is so lyrical and uplifting, and enjoyable.
Many conductors direct it as though it was Mahler or Shostakovich; But this is music of the Austrian countryside and needs to be lighter and always singing.
Today I heard a performance conducted in 1997 by the late Guenter Wand, and it was terrific! Watch and take note of the minimal movements of the conductor’s arms. No wild gestures here …. Just assuring that the the quality of the music is brought to the listener. Click below and enjoy:
