Robert Schumann: Complete Symphonies

1. Symphony No. 1 in B flat major ("Spring"), Op. 38
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

2. Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

3. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ("Rhenish"), Op. 97
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

4. Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra Conducted by Eliahu Inbal

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1, Op. 38: Andante un poco maestoso, Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 1, Op. 38: Larghetto
Symphony No. 1, Op. 38: Scherzo: Molto vivace
Symphony No. 1, Op. 38: Allegro animato e grazioso
Symphony No. 4, Op. 120: Ziemlich langsam, Lebhaft
Symphony No. 4, Op. 120: Romanze: Ziemlich langsam
Symphony No. 4, Op. 120: Scherzo: Lebhaft
Symphony No. 4, Op. 120: Langsam: Lebhaft
Overture: Die Braut von Messina, Op. 100

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2, Op. 61: Sostenuto assai: Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 2, Op. 61: Scherzo: Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 2, Op. 61: Adagio espressivo
Symphony No. 2, Op. 61: Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 3, Op. 97: Lebhaft
Symphony No. 3, Op. 97: Scherzo: Sehr mabig
Symphony No. 3, Op. 97: Nicht schnell
Symphony No. 3, Op. 97: Feierlich
Symphony No. 3, Op. 97: Lebhaft

Amazon.com

Admirers of Eschenbach's Bruckner and Mahler recordings will find much to please them here, for he's got Schumann's style down pat. This is especially true in lyric sections like the Romanza of the Symphony No. 4, although some of the slow movements could be more effective with greater intensity. Eschenbach's overall approach is very much in the traditional German manner. That means you won't get the energy that Leonard Bernstein brought to this music or the transparency and detail heard in George Szell's set. The engineering adds to the impression of thick sonorities that dampen the music's power. But Eschenbach's sturdy Schumann is definitely worth hearing for his stylish phrasing and numerous insights. The "Sturm und Drang" overture is a welcome bonus, a short but effective piece we don't hear very often. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Quality Schumann.......2001-09-23

This is a very valuable set. I have a couple of reservations, but frankly, this is one of the few complete sets of the Schumann 4 worth having. Most conductors handle Schumann's symphonies as if they were by Beethoven, Brahms, or Mahler. Very few seem to be able to find the elusive, magical world of this composer. Fortunately, Eschenbach is not one of those. Perhaps since he started as a pianist, he knows the real soul of Schumann, and it comes through quite gloriously in these performances. By comparison, Bernstein seems too overdramatic, Dohnanyi too grim, and Harnoncourt too dour. Szell and Kubelik get the feel right, but Eschenbach comes across as more spontaneous and warm than the former, and more energetic than the latter. The highlight of the set is the "Rhenish" Symphony (#3), which is the finest performance of the work that I have heard, perfectly balancing the textures and tempos with sensitivity and emotion, while never turning sleepy or routine. The others are almost as good, although the First Symphony is a bit less exhuberant than some. The recorded sound is good, although I would have liked it to be a shade clearer. All in all, a fine release from a conductor with very special insights into this music. Highly recommended.

Schumann superbly done........2001-09-06

This set includes the four numbered symphonies and the Overture "Die Braut von Messina". It does not include the original version of the D minor, or the two movements of the "Zwickau" Symphony.
Eschenbach is a natural Schumann conductor who knows how to use "rubato" with just the right give and take for these romantic works. The important repeat is taken in the "Lebhaft" of the first movement of number 4, but the links between the movements in this symphony are not observed(rarely is this done). While the "Spring" Symphony disappoints slightly in its more laid back approach, the others are among the best in the catalogue. If I continue to prefer the Sawallich set, this is still a most worthy effort in excellent sound.

Average customer rating:

The Best By Far of Modern Performances
Bright, colourful and fresh sound
Riveting.
Satisfying Schumann
Schumann , A Revolutionary Artist

Schumann: Complete Symphonies

Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies / Gardiner
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphonie No. 41 "Jupiter"; No. 40
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique /ORR * Gardiner
Schumann: Piano Trios, Op. 88, Op. 110; Piano Quartet, Op. 47

ASIN: B000006PKI
Release Date: 1998-05-12

Tracks:

Symphony In G Minor: Moderato - Allegro
Symphony In G Minor: Andantino quasi allegretto - Intermezzo quasi Scherzo: Allegro assai - Andantino
Symphony In B FLat Major: Andante un poco maestoso - Allegro molto vivace
Symphony In B FLat Major: Larghetto - (attacca)
Symphony In B FLat Major: Scherzo: Molto vivace
Symphony In B FLat Major: Allegro animato e grazioso
Overture, Scherzo And Finale Op. 52: Ouverture: Andante con moto - Allegro
Overture, Scherzo And Finale Op. 52: Scherzo: Vivo
Overture, Scherzo And Finale Op. 52: Finale: Allegro molto vivace

Tracks:

Symphony In D Minor: Andante con moto - Allegro di molto
Symphony In D Minor: Romanza: Andante
Symphony In D Minor: Scherzo: Presto
Symphony In D Minor: Largo - Finale: Allegro vivace
Symphony In C Major: Sostenuto assai - Allegro, ma non troppo
Symphony In C Major: Scherzo: Allegro vivace
Symphony In C Major: Adagio espressivo
Symphony In C Major: Allegro molto vivace

Tracks:

KONZERTSTUCK IN F MAJOR: Lebhaft
KONZERTSTUCK IN F MAJOR: Romanze: Ziemlich langsam, doch nicht schleppend
KONZERTSTUCK IN F MAJOR: Sehr lebhaft
Symphony In E Flat Major: Lebhaft
Symphony In E Flat Major: Scherzo: Sehr massig
Symphony In E Flat Major: Nicht schnell
Symphony In E Flat Major: Feierlich
Symphony In E Flat Major: Lebhaft
SYMPHONY IN D MINOR REVISED: Zeimlich langsam - Lebhaft - (attacca:)
SYMPHONY IN D MINOR REVISED: Romanza: Ziemlich langsam - (attacca:)
SYMPHONY IN D MINOR REVISED: Scherzo: Lebhaft
SYMPHONY IN D MINOR REVISED: Etwas zuruckhaltend - Langsam - (attacca:)
SYMPHONY IN D MINOR REVISED: Lebhaft

Customer Reviews:

The Best By Far of Modern Performances.......2005-07-29

These are outstanding performances, marred perhaps by just a shade lacking in the quality of the orchestra - compare the opening of the Rhenish to Bernstein's with the Vienna, there is a difference if you want to hear it. But make no mistake - these are notable perfomances, far eclipsing Marriner's very good achievement with the Stuttgart Radio. If you are a sucker like me for fabulous orchestra sound, you will probably be happiest with the Bernstein/Vienna. Given the price for this set - well over twice as much as the Bernstein - perhaps you might consider spending the extra money on other selections by Schumann, such as his marvelous piano music.

Bright, colourful and fresh sound.......2004-12-29

There isn't much more to be said about this superb recording. It does shed new light on Schumann's often underrated orchestral works and reveal him to be a better orchestrator than has been previously believed.

The Concert Piece for Four Horns and Orchestra is a real highlight and it is wonderful to have all the versions of the symphonies. Gardiner's Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique are fine form throughout these recordings. One gets the impression that the members of the orchestra enjoyed playing this music.

I recommend this recording to lovers of Early Music who love period instruments but haven't ventured far into the 19th Century and to general music lovers who may have passed over Schumann's orchestral music in the past.

I hope John Eliot Gardiner and his Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique eventually get around to recording the complete symphonies of Schubert and Brahms.

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I should mention that The Hanover Band [on period instruments] directed by Roy Goodman also recorded the Schumann Symphonies for RCA. I like this recording very much, too. Both orchestras bring out interesting things in Schumann's works. Roy Goodman's brass players offer a slightly more pungent and 'tangy' timbre than Gardiner's players. Norrington and Herreweghe have also recorded several Schumann Symphonies with their period instrument orchestras.

Riveting........2004-10-20

This set it absolutely glorious. All of the works are played with utmost precision, rhythmic security and great tempo choices. The period instruments add an extra degree of clarity as well as exaggerated dynamic contrasts and prominent timpani throughout. This is easily the finest performance of the Konzertstuck currently available, and one of the most exciting Rhenish performances on disc. If, like me, you're put off by Gardiner's sometimes 'too tidy' or 'antiseptic' sounding recordings, don't be here. I found his Beethoven cycle a bit robotic, but there is thankfully a much higher degree of personality to be found here. The one drawback is a lack of tension in most of the slow movements (especially in the 2nd symphony) that makes them sound a bit trite - for the utmost here you have to turn to Bernstein's DG accounts. Regardless, if you're looking for a beautifully put together recording of these works, don't hesitate.

Satisfying Schumann.......2003-02-02

This CD is why I like John Eliot Gardiner and period piece performances. His brisk speeds really seem to suit Schumann and I'd make the case that this might be one of Mr Gardiners finest momemts. The recording quality is excellent and I would highly recommend this set to anyone -- well worth the price.

Schumann , A Revolutionary Artist.......2002-03-30

The other reviews here are all diligent, insightful and correct in their assessment of this outstanding achievement from Gardiner and his orchestra. They convinced me to invest in this set. Now after listening several times, there is little more I can add.

For those still unconvinced of Schumann's truly revolutionary role in the development of serious music, this set will prove his indisputable genius.

Back in the 70s, I came across a rare Schumann recording by the Munich Philharmonic conducted by Marc Andreae (son of Volkmar Andreae, the fine Swiss conductor), an LP on the BASF label(!). It contained my first exposure to the little-known Overture, Scherzo and Finale. A magical, mystical work, given here a comparably excellent performance. Sample the Scherzo above for some unexpected revelation!

What had driven me to buy the BASF disc was the fact that I had enjoyed another obscure Schumann work. Fondly I recall that other recording released in the USA on the Nonesuch label, the superb Karl Ristenpart and his Saar Chamber Orchestra in a performance of the Konzertstuck for Four Horns. The work is such a rewarding listening experience, one could only wish for a release on CD of the Ristenpart interpretation to complement the one here, also first-rate. Such an incredible creation deserves additional exploration.

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In B Flat, Op. 38 'Spring': I. Andante un poco maestoso - Allegro molto vivace
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat, Op. 38 'Spring': II. Larghetto
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat, Op. 38 'Spring': III. Scherzo (Molto vivace)
Symphony No. 1 In B Flat, Op. 38 'Spring': IV. Allegro animato e grazioso
Symphony No. 2 In C, Op. 61: I. Sostenuto assai - Un poco piu vivace - Allegro ma non troppo
Symphony No. 2 In C, Op. 61: II. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
Symphony No. 2 In C, Op. 61: III. Adagio espressivo
Symphony No. 2 In C, Op. 61: IV. Allegro molto vivace

Tracks:

Symphony No. 3 In E Flat, Op. 97 'Rheish': I. Lebhaft
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat, Op. 97 'Rheish': II. Scherzo (Sehr massig)
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat, Op. 97 'Rheish': III. Nicht schnell
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat, Op. 97 'Rheish': IV. Feierlich
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat, Op. 97 'Rheish': V. Lebhaft
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor, Op. 120: I. Ziemlich langsam - Lebhaft
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor, Op. 120: II. Romanze - Ziemlich langsam
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor, Op. 120: III. Scherzo (Lebhaft)
Symphony No. 4 In D Minor, Op. 120: IV. Langsam - Lebhaft

Customer Reviews:

A great feeling for Schumann.......2005-05-04

I own two sets of Schumann's symphonies - Muti-Philharmonia and this set. Both have heart and soul and bring out the warmth of these symphonies better than most other recordings. Personally, I prefer Muti on the 3rd Symphony - it is without peer. However, Inbal does a good job of that symphony and does a great job of the other three. What I have heard of the other noted recordings - Bernstein, Szell, Karajan, etc. just can't compare with these in heart and soul and spirit.