Franz Schubert, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Philippe Herreweghe

After the success of his recordings of Symphonies nos. 1, 3 and 4, released on the Phi label in 2016, Philippe Herreweghe offers us the next instalment of Schubert's orchestral output with the Royal Flemish Philharmonic: the Symphony no.2 D. 125 and Symphony no.5 D. 485 – both in B flat major.

Like those on the previous disc, these works from his youth – written when the Viennese composer was not yet twenty years old – mark the promising beginnings of an already highly accomplished composer. They demonstrate finesse of large-scale symphonic construction, even though the Fifth is the least heavily scored of the cycle – it is the only one that does not call for clarinets, trumpets and timpani. The Second, with its light character, requires just as much subtlety from the orchestra – which Philippe Herreweghe and the Philharmonic provide with their accurate and intelligent playing throughout this album.

A new homage from the Belgian conductor to the genius of the Viennese composer, whose later symphonies are better-known to us, while his earlier works are – quite unfairly - not played or recorded enough!

Tracklist
Symphony No. 2 In B Flat Major, D125
1 I. Largo - Allegro Vivace
2 II. Andante
3 III. Minuetto (Allegro Vivace)
4 IV. Presto Vivace

Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, D485
5 I. Allegro
6 II. Andante Con Moto
7 III. Menuetto (Allegro Molto)
8 IV. Allegro Vivace