Franz Schubert 1797 – 1828
Symphony no. 4, in C minor, D. 417 “Tragica”

Anton Bruckner 1824 – 1896
Symphony no. 9, in D minor

James Gaffigan conducts the OCV in two key symphonies from the German repertoire. Schubert’s Symphony No. 4 , composed at the age of 19 and never premiered in his lifetime, exhibits the melodic and youthful brilliance that reigns in the composer’s Lieder , in the shadow of the symphonic scaffolding erected by Mozart and Haydn, but also under the influence Beethoven’s drama. Nor was Bruckner able to see the premiere of the Ninth Symphony . Despite being unfinished, in three movements, it is appreciated as one of the greatest orchestral scores of all time. He evokes themes from his previous compositions as a reminder, and in the famous final Adagio, deeply inspired, he seems to want to conclude the monumental work as if it were his farewell to life.