So who made you love the Schumann symphonies?

[jochanaan]

Revisited this thread after a lapse.  I have to say that I cannot imagine any better performances than the Sawallisch/Staatskapelle Dresden.  I've only heard them on radio broadcast, but even with the restricted dynamic range typical of radio, everything is intense and just exactly right.

[Ken B]

This one put the lie to "Schumann didn't know how to orchestrate" for me. True, he couldn't orchestrate worth a damn for a late 19th century or 20th century orchestra, but he wrote absolutely lovely stuff for the orchestra of HIS time...



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Now playing:
RSO Frankfurt / Hugh Wolff - Antheil Symphony #1 2nd mvmt - Vivo, alla zingaresco, poi 'ragtime'

Same set. I could never rustle up great enthusiasm until this. I don't say that this interpretation puts others in the shade, but this orchestra certainly does.

[André]

I have yet to listen to the Sawallisch set. It's there on the shelves, though, still shrink-wrapped.

[The new erato]

The Sawallissch os very fine, but the HIP sound (and superb recording) of Gardiner makes the works really take off.

[betterthanfine]

How does Bernstein DG compare to his earlier (OOP) NY account?

And has anyone heard the new set by Nezet-Seguin and the COE yet? Could be very interesting!

[André]

Bernstein's NYPO Schumann is generally preferable to his later, more indulgent self in Vienna. In the first sympony you would think they are totally different conductors.

I wasn't aware NS was pursuing a Schumann cycle. The lad is all over the place these days. Did you try his Mahler DLVDE ?

[betterthanfine]

I actually just purchased that, haven't had time to give it a spin yet!

The samples of his Schumann sound quite good...

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/DG/4792437

[Wanderer]

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[asin]B000024UKB[/asin] (OOP, currently available in this set:[asin]B000PKG52C[/asin]

The above are my benchmark recordings.
Other favourite versions include the Sawallisch and Barenboim sets already mentioned, as well as Eschenbach and Armin Jordan.

[North Star]

The above are my benchmark recordings.
Other favourite versions include the Sawallisch and Barenboim sets already mentioned, as well as Eschenbach and Armin Jordan.

I see your affair with Schumann's symphonies is a polygamous one 

[Moonfish]

Errr, nobody. I don't love them yet!!  Nope nope nope....   

[North Star]

I have had the Zinman set for 2½ years, and have the Gardiner in post at present time (and have heard at least a couple of the symphonies from those recordings already ages ago when it was very expensive or OOP). I've also heard Sawallisch's recordings, which I recall preferring to the Zinman. And I've heard nos. 1, 3 & 4 live in Oulu during the past four years. I don't think any conductor/orchestra has really made me suddenly realize I love the music, though.

Errr, nobody. I don't love them yet!!  Nope nope nope....   

Which recordings have you heard? Are Sawallisch or Gardiner among them?

[Moonfish]

Which recordings have you heard? Are Sawallisch or Gardiner among them?

Neither. The last cycle I listened to was Szell's acclaimed recordings. They did not bring me "the love", but I should of course return to these works. I tend to gravitate to chamber music when it comes to Schumann.

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[North Star]

Neither. The last cycle I listened to was Szell's acclaimed recordings. They did not bring me "the love", but I should of course return to these works. I tend to gravitate to chamber music when it comes to Schumann.

Just listen to Gardiner's - Schumann didn't write the music for gargantuan post-Mahlerian orchestras, and John-Eliot's band sounds anything but.

https://www.youtube.com/v/pVXt9pO0cpo

[Mookalafalas]

I have the Schumann box from DG, but have hardly touched it. I like Gardiner a lot, hopefully he'll break my Schumann impasse (I've played the Szell and Bernstein symphonies, among others, but no real love here yet either....)

[Moonfish]

I have the Schumann box from DG, but have hardly touched it. I like Gardiner a lot, hopefully he'll break my Schumann impasse (I've played the Szell and Bernstein symphonies, among others, but no real love here yet either....)

[North Star]

Just listen to Gardiner's - Schumann didn't write the music for gargantuan post-Mahlerian orchestras, and John-Eliot's band sounds anything but.

Is that a novel way to write '+1' to Baklavaboy's post?

[The new erato]

Is that a novel way to write '+1' to Baklavaboy's post?

Also known as giving him a "moonie".

[Moonfish]

Also known as giving him a "moonie".

[Ken B]

Also known as giving him a "moonie".

Still, there is something fishy about it.

[Mookalafalas]

OK, listened to Gardiner's Schmann symphonies (1 and 4), and yes, I'm feeling the magic.  Whether it's mostly the playing or the recording, the sound has a lot more color and detail, while also being more charged and exciting. 

  Pollini piano--listening right now and very happy.   It seems like the guts of the box are various lieder or other choral pieces. I kept grabbing those, and although they sound nice enough, that's just not what interests me these days, which is why I never really played much from the box....before
 
  Thanks for the tips.