Symphony No. 2 in B-flat Major, D 125
Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D 200

Multiple prize-winning conductor René Jacobs and the B’Rock Orchestra continue their Schubert cycle on PENTATONE with a recording of the composer’s Second and Third Symphony. Jacobs approaches these pieces as a symphonic pair revealing contrasting aspects of Schubert’s personality and compositional approach; the former being serious, ambitious, aiming to “outdo” Beethoven, while the latter is deliberately un-heroic: light, lyrical, and full of Italianizing elements. Interestingly, Jacobs discerns a comparable tandem approach in Schubert’s Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, which will form the next episode of this recording project. The players of the B’Rock Orchestra present these works on period instruments, transparent, but full of fire.

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This album was recorded at De Spil, Roeselare, Belgium, July 2019 (Symphony No. 2) and at Haus der Musik Innsbruck, Austria, February 2020 (Symphony No. 3).