Hans Gál: Symphony No. 1 / Schubert: Symphony No. 6

Hans Gál & Franz Schubert • Royal Northern Sinfonia; Thomas Zehetmair (conductor)

About this release

The first instalment in Avie’s pairing of Gál’s symphonies with Schubert classics places his youthful Symphony No. 1 (1927) alongside Schubert’s exuberant Tragic Symphony No. 6. Gál’s opening movement brims with energy and melodic invention, the slow movement is tenderly lyrical, the scherzo has rustic dance‑rhythms and the finale radiates optimism. Under Thomas Zehetmair, the Royal Northern Sinfonia offers stylish, incisive readings that illuminate the interplay between Viennese Classicism and late‑Romantic spirit.

Where to buy or listen

• Apple Music (streaming/download)
• Avie Records release page (CD)
• Qobuz (streaming/download)

What critics said

San Francisco Classical Voice praised this pairing of Gál and Schubert, remarking on the varied characters and drama brought out by Zehetmair and his orchestra and highlighting the Symphony No. 1’s melodic style and exuberant finale. Read the full article at San Francisco Classical Voice. Other writers noted that the disc underscores the continuity between Classical and Romantic traditions and applauded the ensemble’s verve and colour.

Further context

Gál’s First Symphony won an Austrian national prize on its premiere but quickly vanished from the concert hall. This recording restores it to prominence and juxtaposes it with a Schubert symphony from a century earlier, underlining how both composers combined classical form with melodic grace. The warm recorded sound and lively tempos make this disc an ideal entry point into the series.