Symphony No. 10 (Schubert)
Encyclopedia
Schubert
's Symphony No. 10 in D major, D.936a, is an unfinished work that survives in a partly fragmentary piano sketch. Only properly identified in the 1970s, it has been orchestrated by Brian Newbould
in a conjectural completion that has subsequently been performed, published and recorded.
The symphony was evidently planned, unlike any of Schubert's other symphonies, in three movements:
Despite the title 'scherzo', the remarkable third movement, which is extremely contrapuntal in texture and includes extended fugal
passages, appears to be a compound movement performing the functions of both scherzo and finale. The most fully preserved movement is the Andante, an impressively solemn, slow-march invention which has been seen as anticipating Mahler. There are about 30 instrumental indications in Schubert's sketch which confirm that the orchestra to be employed was similar in size to the Eighth
and Ninth
symphonies, with a trio of trombones which make impressive contributions in the first two movements.
The music of the symphony appears to some extent exploratory and manifests unusual features, notably the hybrid form of the third movement and the highly contrapuntal nature of much of the material. Sketches for the third movement are associated with a number of counterpoint exercises, which suggests that it is related in some way to the course of study of counterpoint that Schubert had begun with Simon Sechter
shortly before his death.
by Luciano Berio
, composed in 1989, is based on the sketches for this symphony.
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
's Symphony No. 10 in D major, D.936a, is an unfinished work that survives in a partly fragmentary piano sketch. Only properly identified in the 1970s, it has been orchestrated by Brian Newbould
Brian Newbould
Brian Newbould is a composer, conductor and author who has finished Franz Schubert's Unfinished Symphony and more symphonic works and even extra symphonies. He was educated at Gravesend Grammar School.-References:...
in a conjectural completion that has subsequently been performed, published and recorded.
The sketch
The sketch appears to date from the last weeks of the composer's life, in October-November 1828, and is presumed to be the Last Symphony (Letzte Symphonie) mentioned by his friend Eduard von Bauernfeld in an appreciation of Schubert published in the Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode for 13 June 1829.The symphony was evidently planned, unlike any of Schubert's other symphonies, in three movements:
- No tempo marking but Allegro maestoso in D major Newbould's edition
- Andante B minor/ Major
- Scherzo (Allegro moderato in Newbould's edition) D major and
Despite the title 'scherzo', the remarkable third movement, which is extremely contrapuntal in texture and includes extended fugal
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
passages, appears to be a compound movement performing the functions of both scherzo and finale. The most fully preserved movement is the Andante, an impressively solemn, slow-march invention which has been seen as anticipating Mahler. There are about 30 instrumental indications in Schubert's sketch which confirm that the orchestra to be employed was similar in size to the Eighth
Symphony No. 8 (Schubert)
Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 8 in B minor , commonly known as the "Unfinished Symphony" , D.759, was started in 1822 but left with only two movements known to be complete, even though Schubert would live for another six years. A scherzo, nearly completed in piano score but with only two pages...
and Ninth
Symphony No. 9 (Schubert)
The Symphony No. 9 in C major, D. 944, known as the Great , is the final symphony completed by Franz Schubert. Nicknamed The Great C major originally to distinguish it from his Symphony No...
symphonies, with a trio of trombones which make impressive contributions in the first two movements.
The music of the symphony appears to some extent exploratory and manifests unusual features, notably the hybrid form of the third movement and the highly contrapuntal nature of much of the material. Sketches for the third movement are associated with a number of counterpoint exercises, which suggests that it is related in some way to the course of study of counterpoint that Schubert had begun with Simon Sechter
Simon Sechter
Simon Sechter was an Austrian music theorist, teacher, organist, conductor and composer.Sechter was born in Friedberg , Bohemia, then part of the Austrian Empire, and moved to Vienna in 1804, succeeding Jan Václav Voříšek as court organist there in 1824. In 1810 he began teaching piano and voice...
shortly before his death.
Other realizations
The composition RenderingRendering (Berio)
Rendering is a 1989/1990 composition by the Italian composer Luciano Berio. Cast in three movements for full orchestra, it takes as its structure the fragmentary score of Schubert's uncompleted D major symphony, D936a.The work lasts for around 33 minutes...
by Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
, composed in 1989, is based on the sketches for this symphony.