Symphony No.8 in C major D 944 (The Great) (Full Score, hardback)

Schubert Symphony No.8 in C major D 944 (The Great) (Full Score, hardback)

Schubert wrote the Symphony No.8 in C major between 1825 and 1828.  In order to distinguish this symphony from his Symphony No.6, written between 1817-18, No.8 was referred to as the “Great Symphony” in C major.  After Beethoven’s symphonies, this work is recognised as the most important symphony from the first half of the 19th century.  It was highly lauded by Schumann and by Mendelssohn, who conducted its first public performance in 1839 in Leipzig.

Schubert himself never actually heard the symphony performed and it was long considered unperformable.

This new edition, from the New Schubert Edition volume V/4, is based on the only primary source - Schubert's autograph.  Although the source situation is comparatively clear, the editor was faced with many difficult problems.  Schubert's autograph was written down in several different creative compositional stages, which he reworked over a considerable period of time.  These various stages of writing, editing and correcting had to be identified and many of the numerous emendations needed to be interpreted.  The results of this editorial process will surely play a relevant role in the performance of this important work.  

The earlier numbering of this symphony as No.7 was based on the first Complete Edition of Schubert's works.  It listed the seven finished symphonies and then the famous “Unfinished Symphony” in B minor as No.8.  At a later date, in order to be chronologically correct, the “Great Symphony” in C major was assigned the No.9 following the “Unfinished”.

Franz Schubert (1797–1828) - New Edition of the Complete Works
Edited by the International Schubert Society

The New Schubert Edition is a scholarly-critical complete edition reflecting current knowledge of the sources and the latest research findings. It is thus indispensable for the study and authentic performance of Schubert's music. By presenting the full source material in a manner suitable for performance, the edition attempts to do justice to the composer's particular understanding of the concept of work, which often led to equivalent but conflicting versions and countless variants.

Full score, performance material and study score for all symphonies are available for sale.

Symphony No.1 in D major D 82 (BA 5601, TP 401)
Symphony No.2 in B-flat major D 125 (BA 5602, TP 402)
Symphony No.3 in D major D 200 (BA 5603, TP 403)
Symphony No.4 in C minor D 417 Tragic (BA 5604, TP 404)
Symphony No.5 in B-flat major D 485 (BA 5645, TP 405)
Symphony No.6 in C major D 589 (BA 5646, TP 406)
Symphony No.7 in B minor D 759 Unfinished (BA 5647, TP 407)
Symphony No.8 in C major D 944 The Great (BA5648, TP408)