Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts Schubert Symphonies, Masses, “Alfonso und Estrella”

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Nikolaus Harnoncourt once said, “Schubert is the composer who is closest to my heart” – and in this edition, Harnoncourt and the Berliner Philharmoniker present a brilliant and multifaceted portrait of the composer. It of course includes Schubert’s symphonies – from the too little-known early works to the “Unfinished” and the “Great” C major Symphony. With Schubert’s final two masses, central works of Romantic sacred music are also represented, plus there is a first-class discovery with the opera Alfonso und Estrella.

Harnoncourt’s case for Alfonso und Estrella is so convincing not least because of the superb cast of singers which includes Kurt Streit, Dorothea Röschmann and Christian Gerhaher. But what lies at the musical centre of this edition is the collaboration of orchestra and conductor. This Schubert is colourful and dramatic – and represents a unique synthesis in which the famous sound of the Berliner Philharmoniker is as evident as Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s familiarity with the transparency and sound speech of historical performance practice.

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The performances, recorded between 2003 and 2006, are contained on eight CDs, plus there is a Blu-ray disc that presents all of the recordings in uncompressed 24-bit audio. For vinyl aficionados the 8 symphonies are available as a limited collector’s edition on 8 LP’s with a 44-page hardcover booklet. Moreover, the symphonies are released on CD. The box set includes five hybrid SACDs which can be played on any CD or SACD player.

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Diapason d'Or Award Winner
Content
Franz Schubert
 
Symphony No. 1 in D major, D 82
Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, D 125
Symphony No. 3 in D major, D 200
Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D 417 “Tragic”
Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D 485
Symphony No. 6 in C major, D 589
Symphony No. 7 in B minor, D 759 “Unfinished”
Symphony No. 8 in C major, D 944 “Great”
 
Mass No. 5 in A flat major, D 678
Mass No. 6 in E flat major, D 950
 
Alfonso und Estrella D 732, Romantic opera in three acts
 
Berliner Philharmoniker
Nikolaus Harnoncourt Conductor
 
Mass No. 5 Iin a flat major, D 678
Luba Orgonášová Soprano
Birgit Remmert Contralto
Kurt Streit Tenor
Christian Gerhaher Bass
Rundfunkchor Berlin
 
Mass No. 6 in E flat major, D 950
Dorothea Röschmann Soprano
Bernarda Fink Contralto
Jonas Kaufmann Tenor
Christian Elsner Tenor
Christian Gerhaher Bass
Rundfunkchor Berlin 
 
Alfonso und Estrella D 732
Dorothea Röschmann (Estrella)
Kurt Streit (Alfonso)
Christian Gerhaher (Froila)
Jochen Schmeckenbecher (Mauregato)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (Adolfo)
Rundfunkchor Berlin
 
Bonus video
Nikolaus Harnoncourt in conversation
 
Please note that the CD / SACD and vinyl version contain the eight symphonies only.
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Available versions

  • CD (Hybrid-SACD)

    Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts Schubert

    5 CD (Hybrid-SACD)

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    Playable on any CD/SACD player

    CD / SACD 1–5
    Symphonies Nos. 1–8
    Running time: : 273 mins

    Audio format
    CD Stereo
    SACD Stereo
    (higher resolution, requires SACD player
    SACD Surround
    (requires SACD player and surround system)

    Booklet
    64 pages

    Packaging
    Hardcover Box Set

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    US$ 39.00
    Excl. shipping
  • Download

    Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts Schubert

    24-bit Download

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    Symphonies Nos. 1–8
    Running time: 273 mins

    Masses Nos. 5 & 6
    Running time: 102 mins

    Alfonso und Estrella

    Provided Formats
    Stereo 24/48 [FLAC / WAV]
    5.0 Surround 24/48 [FLAC / WAV]

    Digital Booklet
    
104 pages / German, Englisch

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    US$ 39.00
    Excl. shipping

Video trailer


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