The Express.
London, England, 1868-11-24 00:00:00

Roug• ...... •
ONettaxe

The production of a grand orchestral symphony by
Franz Schubert, hitherto unheard here, of course chines
our first and chief attention. Of the nine symphonies
left in manuscript by Schubert at his death (a!1 in a
complete state with the exception of two) that in C major
(No. 9) was the only one known vp to a few years since,
when the score of two movements of the symphony hill.
minor (so. 8) was published in Germany. These move.
meats (an allegro and an andante), complete iu them-
selves, are the only portions of a work which, hail the
wanting minuet (or scherzo) and finale been supplied by
the composer, would have been one of his grandest pro-
ductione—equal in elevation of style and in-porta:ire
of development to hie gnat hat symphony. Foe
the first bearing of them two po.tions of the
symphony in B minor we are indebted to the
Crystal Palace, where they were produeel at the -.sweet
of April 6, last year, previous to which the eau 7.• institu-
tion had brinight fetward, for the dr* time in this sous.
try. Sehuberrs exquisite music to the drama of An, veva"
including the twb long instrumental es.ia,
important as movements of a grain synn2hony. The
rpm kling and Melodious Overture, in the Italian style.
hastily dashed off by Schubert. in playful hut ,'ion of
Rossini, who then oftir had the eat of the Vienncm
ebbe, bad also been first given hese by this estahlish.
Lent at their concert of December 1, 1633. Ss •mat
became the interest excited by the instrumental usurped.
tious of one wham the pubic at large had hitherto
mended only as a song-writer, that the Secretary
of the Crystal Palma (Mr. Geo go Gmva) utniert sok a
missioutollenna, animated by thong personal euthanasia
in tie matter ; and the result was the discovery there of
a large quantity of Schuberes martuscri:its in the penm-
en-a of Dr. Edward Schooner. and the proof that Schn-
bert had left nine orchestral synr2henies ; s. as ria.:.0.7
said, consisting of only two oat of the usual fo at mom-
melds : the other (No. 7, in E) a mere sku'.•ha of the
leasing dins, het continuous throug:sout tho whole
desiLn. and vapati.e of being tilled up for p•rre.rirtni,N.
as we believe is intended. The fist result of tie. Iroves
retain was the meditation of the so-e died **
synirlsony (No. 4), of which we spoke ih d nail (in ?larch
last). The reiteration of these facts is only ain .its of
justice, in order to keep in nimenforanec it, la• • laht of
platitude owing to the Crystal Ps-lace for t'i:•
knowledge of some of the ,no-t exquisite of
high =ideal genius; in addition to the sp:•uial merit of
such finished orchestral performans.os of known Naming
works as were never heard in this country until t;se for-
mation of the present Mind, traissel by the skill ALAI as,.
of tie conductor, Sir. Maims.

And now wo base to acknowledge another adait.;on to
the delights which wo owe to Schubert and the Crystal
Niece, in the fir.t hearing, on Saturday, of the eyrispbear
in e major, No. 6—composed ha ISIS, taw years before he
died, leaving behind bins. at the age of 31, 0 symphonies,
6 masses, 16 operas. operettas, ere. ; 10 quintets, quartets,
trios, and ottet ; 12 great pianoforte sonatas, 31 pieces
of various kinds for the pianoforte, four Iriads; 30
part4engs and upwards of .Y.'o lierhr, by a few.
only of which latter pieties was this most extra-
dittary genius known to the general public until recently.
It is gratifying to learn that a translation by Mr. Arthur
Duke Coleridge of Dr. Kreissle's biography of Schubert
will be in published. with au appendix cold:Lin-
ing interesiing particulars respecting his compositions,
drawn up with loving care, by Mr. George Grove.