Syms Comp: Robert Schumann: Amazon.ca: Music

Disc: 1
1. Symphony No.1 In B Flat, Op.38 'Spring': I: Andante Un Poco Maestoso - Allegro Molto Vivace
2. Symphony No.1 In B Flat, Op.38 'Spring': II: Larghetto
3. Symphony No.1 In B Flat, Op.38 'Spring': III: Scherzo (Molto Vivace) And Trois I & II
4. Symphony No.1 In B Flat, Op.38 'Spring': IV: Allegro Animato E Grazioso
5. Symphony No.4 In D Minor, Op.120: I: Ziemilch Langsam - Lebhaft
6. Symphony No.4 In D Minor, Op.120: II: Romanze (Ziemilch Langsam)
7. Symphony No.4 In D Minor, Op.120: III: Scherzo (Lebhaft) & Trio
8. Symphony No.4 In D Minor, Op.120: IV: Langsam - Lebhaft - Schneller - Presto
9. Overture, Scherzo And Finale, Op.52: Ouverture (Andante Con Moto - Allegro)
10. Overture, Scherzo And Finale, Op.52: Scherzo (Vivo) & Trio
See all 11 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Symphony No.2 In C, Op.61: I: Andante Un Poco Maestoso - Allegro Molto Vivace
2. Symphony No.2 In C, Op.61: II: Scherzo (Allegro Vivace) And Trois I & II
3. Symphony No.2 In C, Op.61: III: Adagio Espressivo
4. Symphony No.2 In C, Op.61: IV: Allegro Molto Vivace
5. Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.97 'Rhenish': I: Lebhaft
6. Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.97 'Rhenish': II Scherzo (Sehr MaBig)
7. Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.97 'Rhenish': III: Nicht Schnell
8. Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.97 'Rhenish': IV: Feierlich
9. Symphony No.3 In E Flat, Op.97 'Rhenish': V: Lebhaft

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Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Sawallisch: Unfussy, passionate Schumann Symphonies, July 18 2004

By

Dan Fee "music fan aka drdanfee" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Syms Comp (Audio CD)

What an embarrassment of riches: this older set, remastered in fine shape as part of the EMI Great Performances series has been a catalogue star since its first appearances. But wait, there is more. Sawallisch has re-recorded these symphonies with the Philadelphia Orchestra, showing off not only his leadership, but the fine mettle of the PO (post-Ormandy, post-Muti), and the sonics of the new Verizon Hall. It's a difficult choice, between the older set and the newer one. One plus of the older set is that it features the Dresden Staatskapelle, certainly one of Europe's finest and most distinguished orchestras. Dresden need yield no pride of place to anybody. They have a depth of tone in all instrumental departments that is only typically rivaled by the Vienna Philharmonic; combined with an incisiveness of musical gesture and transparent golden glow that typically serves the music well, almost no matter what they are playing. Part of the older set's allure has no doubt to do with the hallowed recording venue of the Luskaskirche which simply must be one of the best acoustics for European recording. The newer set, on the other hand, captures Sawallisch and the Philadephia Orchestra live (complete with audience applause). One must say that they retain their reputation as a top American band, somehow managing to combine the lushness of the Ormandy heritage with a chamber-ensemble finesse. Such flexibility serves Schumann's symphonies very well, since at times it would appear that the composer was establishing a sweet intimacy as well as dramatic breadth in these formerly neglected orchestral step-children.

Now, also, do not forget that David Zinman has just recorded a complete set with members of the Tonhalle Zurich, bringing an awareness of period performance textures, dynamism, and style to these works, even though he is manifestly not playing on period instruments (like Gardiner).

Truth be told, you cannot go far wrong with any of these sets: The older Sawallisch, the newer Sawallisch (available only direct from the Philadelphia Orchestra website), the newer Zinman/Tonhalle. I have made room on the shelf, too, for the Karajan and Haitink recordings. The Royal Concertgebouw brings its own high Romanticism to the Haitink set, and has the benefit of that great hall acoustic in their home venue. Finally, it would appear that BMG is finally re-releasing the James Levine/Philadelphia recordings, of which only symphonies 2 and 4 are so far available.

Less often, I return to the Szell, and the Bernstein/Vienna sets. The Szell is very well done, but as with many conductors, Szell found occasion to fuss about with the original orchestrations. If you want alternative orchestrations of the Schumann, why not turn to the Aldo Ceccato set on BIS, where he gives us the re-touched instrumentations of no less a personage than Gustav Mahler. I usually can't take more than one of the Bernstein/Vienna symphonies at a time, so fullsome and rich and high-calorie are those performances.

The older Sawallisch, and the newer Sawallisch, then, get five stars. And if you have found the symphonies too thick, too earthbound over the years, do have a listen to the new Zinman/Tonhalle. It will make you rethink all the traditional complaints, and you get more than a whiff of the manic side of Robert, dancing wildly off into the stars with his beloved Clara.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Generally appealing, Jun 11 2004

By

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Syms Comp (Audio CD)

When it comes to richness of expression, solid orchestration and an epic quality, for me, Brahms, the protege, outdoes his early caretaker, Schumann. My feelings toward the latter's symphonies have never been more than tepid. If I'm going to find some measure of enjoyment from his music it must be presented by someone who can bring it to life, not just lay it out on a platter. The prescription calls for a spirited approach combined with some imaginativeness in phrasing. This is about the only way to bring out what color and charm resides in Schumann's symphonies. If this cannot be done, and if, simultaneously, one adheres frequently to slow tempos, the effect can be deadly. Generally speaking, Wolfgang Sawallisch accomplishes one of the better jobs I've heard in terms of keeping the juices flowing, however, while he is often lively and there is a nice fragrance to some of his melodic details, he sometimes falls into a pattern of relative blandness; for example, in the third movement of the "Spring" and the second movement of the "Rhenish". By contrast, George Szell offers greater intensity and more effective orchestral execution in his reading of the Second Symphony, although he really doesn't move me as much in the other three symphonies. Bernstein has some very nice moments in his first (N.Y. Philharmonic) set, but his later effort with the Vienna Philharmonic displays the kinds of mannerisms that came to characterize more frequently his style as he aged. It's been so long since I've listened to Karajan's Schumann that, at some point, I must return to it for an update. In closing, the recorded sound of the Sawallisch/Schumann set is very fine, and a good measure better than that given to Szell. (Incidentally, a fair number of listeners have indicated the sound in the Szell set is very fine too. To me, it is not much better than okay.) If you enjoy these symphonies, I would say that Sawallisch's interpretations are probably about your best choice.

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3.0 out of 5 stars not the best, May 22 2003

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dgg32 (Bremen) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Syms Comp (Audio CD)

Originally,many comments on this circle convinced me.However,after I finished listening,I don't think Sawallisch's Schumann can eclipse Bernstein's.Lack of enthusasim,it makes me feel a little boring.The outline of the brass is vague.And the string is so light that the the recording sounds apparent.And the defects in recording are found here and there.
I recommend Bernstein's Schumann circle with Vienna Philhamonic
instead of Sawallisch's one.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-stopping Schumann
After I had enjoyed von Karajan, Bernstein, Szell, Muti and Gardiner, I discovered Sawallisch's set of the Schumann symphonies. Read more

Published on Aug 29 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars A dream that came true!
I had often heard about Sawallisch's Schumann, that these were some of the most exciting recordings around, and the best of the great conductor's career, but unfortunately they... Read more

Published on May 9 2002 by FoFW