Maxim Emelyanychev & SCO - Schubert: Symphony No. 9 - BBC Radio 3 ‘Record Review’

First though, that Schubert…and it’s the changing of the guard at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. We heard Robin Ticciati’s ‘outgoing’ Richard Strauss recording recently…now here’s Maxim Emelyanychev’s incoming Schubert, the work that got him the job from the sound of it, standing in at short notice to conduct Schubert’s Ninth Symphony, the Great C major. Opening Andante not too slow, then a brisk Allegro. Second movement: Andante con moto…with motion…

The second movement of Schubert’s Great C major Ninth Symphony, conductor Maxim Emelyanychev’s first recording as the newly-appointed Principal Conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. They play for him as though they’re hanging on every gesture, it’s so ‘alive’, and the relatively compact size of the ensemble gives this Great C major an immediacy and presence that’s a world away from the romantic orchestral tradition that has delivered us too many Schubert 9s with massive inertia. If you prefer that sound world, Emelyanychev’s slimline Schubert and swift speeds may not appeal, but for me it’s totally refreshing…and so’s the sound.