I was very excited to do this comparison as Schumann’s Symphony No. 4 is a favorite. And so below are my results. I will do the red group too if I have time later in the week. Not sure how others are writing this up, but I put my thoughts down as I went along. I did go back for a couple of comparisons. But mostly, this is from one listen. I gave each clip a rating (mostly just for my memory) and used that to come up with a ranking.
Yellow Group Summary:
I liked C3 and A5. Those two should make it to the next round. I would eliminate the other three. In particular, D1 should be eliminated for sure. It was terrible (poor tempo choices in the second clip). But all of them had something different that they did, or some unique aspect. I think C3 was the clear leader, but I liked A5 fairly well too (and I loved the sound this orchestra produced). Interesting that I did not like any of the ones that appear to have come in first in previous rounds (if I understood correctly).
A5-e1:
Very nice opening and sound. But a hair slow, which is not the bigger problem. It seems to lack forward momentum just a bit and this makes it a bit more laid back, but playing is of high quality. The speed up in the middle section lacks something and again we are too laid back (not enough forward propulsion). Perhaps you think I am overemphasizing this, but I feel it makes this a difficult one to fully embrace (though I like the sound they produce very much). Rating: 6.
A5-e2:
Speed slower than I like (always a litmus test for me).The forward propulsion is better though still a bit too much back on the heels. Good unison playing. Fourth movement sounds much better. Stately. Too controlled at times, but I liked the sound of the woodwinds. Dynamics are better here for the most part. I liked this movement. Rating: 7
Overall: Very good standard of playing. I think the speeds, while not always to my taste, would work better if there was more of a forward propulsion felt (which is admittedly better in the second excerpt). The playing is excellent overall and I like the sound the orchestra produces, so I really think the issue here is one of interpretation, and less of execution by the orchestra. Dynamics could have more abandon, but then perhaps this is what gives this version more stateliness.
Ranking: 2
B1-e1
Nice start. Here is what the first lacked in terms of propulsion. Dynamics are, well, more dynamic! Horns are slightly out of tune towards the end of the clip. Rating: 6.5
B1-e2
Better tempo, but some weird acoustic effects going on early. A bit ragged in moments, sometimes a problem in versions that go fast. And then when it slows down, it is a bit dull. And then back to main theme – I feel that some of the magic has been lost somewhere in the quieter bits. Then they do the cardinal sin – start the big melody in the fourth movement fast – then slow down as you go along. The next part is too undifferentiated compared to the opening of the movement. Rating: 4
Overall: I liked the execution until the middle of the second excerpt, where this one just self-imploded, but I preferred the sound of the orchestra in A5 much more. The inability to hold the tempo in the opening of the fourth movement is a huge problem. A5 was better here - noticeably so. I think the orchestra is generally not as good as the first in this instance and I bet that would be more visible in a comparison of the entire piece.
Ranking: 3
D1-e1
Ok. Older sound. Glad I took a short breather to allow it to differentiate a bit. Nice impact at the opening - much more dynamic approach to loudness here. Speed up is well done, but then the tempo is a bit slower than I like, but the feeling of moving forward is there nonetheless. But then the middle section is a bit dull in terms of dynamics and feels a bit wearing (perhaps related to sound, but they did it earlier, so I have to think it is not entirely so). But then it picks up again towards the end of the clip. Rating: 5
D1-e2
My god! A glacier would move faster than the opening of this! Awful. Terrible! Dull as can be and labored beyond belief. The orchestra plays decently enough, but who would want to listen to them? A complete disappointment. And then the section after the opening is even worse, because they don’t feel differentiated enough (too uniform a sound). Fourth movement is better, but the magic is long gone. Rating: 1.5
Overall: Starts ok, but the second clip is a disaster of major proportions. The whole piece loses coherence and momentum.
Ranking: 5
C1-e1
Decent opening. A better overall balance or dynamics, articulation, etc. in the early parts, but that seems to lessen as the work progresses. Strings seem a bit awkward at times. Shame, because this could otherwise be outstanding. Rating: 5.
C1-e2
Tempo good, but the sound is congested and not open – probably a balance issue among the instruments (though perhaps a sound issue as well). Interpretation is better in terms of tempo/impact/drive. But the conductor does not seem to pull quite the same level of majesty that some of the others do. And then they really speed up! Ach, but they go so fast to start that there is no way they can hold the tempo. Rating: 4
Overall: There are some nice bits. But the overall impact is less than the sum of its parts. And the orchestral playing as a whole is less varied and less interesting.
Ranking: 4
C3-e1
Even with the hiss, this one grabs your attention more than the others at the start. This is the way the start should be played. Don’t know if they will keep it up, but here’s hoping so. Great intensity (though a moment of ragged playing as they sped up)! It had great clarity, good movement, and uses the dynamics in a way completely advantageous to the music. Very interested to hear who this is (orchestra plays very well indeed). Thrilling. Rating: 9
C3-e2
Speed is good to start. Too bad this wasn’t in better sound to make a better impact, but still good. Slower parts are still dramatic and do not lose your attention. Fourth movement is a rousing start. Rating: 7.
Overall: The interpretation was excellent. The orchestra was tight. Of these five, in these clips, this was my top choice.
Ranking: 1
