Famous works · Romantic
Symphony No. 8 in B minor, “Unfinished”, D. 759
Composed 1822 · premiered 1865, Vienna
Two complete movements and a mystery: why did Schubert never finish it?
The story behind it
Schubert wrote two movements and sketched a scherzo, then stopped. He lived six more years.
The manuscript stayed with his friend Anselm Hüttenbrenner for decades, and premiered 43 years after it was written.
Its dark, lyrical sound is a landmark of early Romantic symphonic writing.
What to listen for
- The quiet cellos and basses at the very start.
- The famous cello melody over a syncopated accompaniment.