Schumann’s Cello Concerto

[aligreto]

Schumann's Cello Concerto is one that I like and return to. It is not in the grand virtuosic style where the soloist is pitted in adversity against the orchestra. Rather it is a sweeping, lyrical work where both soloist and orchestra are in concert throughout the work. It is therefore, I feel, one of the easier concertos to listen to as it has a calmness about it much in contrast to what was soon to happen to the unfortunate Schumann himself.


The recordings that I have in my collection are as follows:

Coin with Orchestre des Champs-Élysées / Herreweghe
Du Pre with New Philharmonia Orchestra / Barenboim
Gastinel with Orchestre Philharmonique de Liege / Langree
Schiff with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Haitink
Starker with London Symphony Orchestra / Skrowaczewski


NikF posted the version by Rostropovich recently.

Any other recommendations or comments would certainly be of interest.

[NikF]

karlhenning pointed out that in 1963 it was re-orchestrated by Shosty for Rostropovich.

[Parsifal]

As I posted recently on the general Schumann thread, I recently listened to Starker's 1950's recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra on EMI. I heard the piece live once, but I think this is the first time I have listened to a recording (although I have a few, buried in big box sets). I agree with you that the concerto is very satisfying in that it represents a collaboration between soloist and orchestra, rather than an adversarial contest. Although cello concertos tend to be like that (in contrast to violin and piano concertos).

[Parsifal]

karlhenning pointed out that in 1963 it was re-orchestrated by Shosty for Rostropovich.

A useful tidbit. Now I am forewarned to avoid Rostropovich's recordings!

[NikF]

A useful tidbit. Now I am forewarned to avoid Rostropovich's recordings!

The Rostropovich I posted is of the original version - a recording from 1961 with Rozhdestvensky conducting the Leningrad Philharmonic. So perhaps that's an option for you?

e: this one -

[asin]B000025CF2[/asin]

[Turner]

Should I grab just one among those I´ve got

- Maisky,OrpheusCO/dg 13cd 12 00289 4779524
- Rostropovich,Kondrashin,MosRSO/everest mono sdbr 3391
- Rostropovich,Rozhdestvensky,LenPO/dg 74 2535 112
- Rostropovich,Rozhdestvensky,USSRSO/brill 10cd 92771
- Casals,Ormandy,PradO/cbs 3lp 77363
- Geringas,Foster,LSO/euro lp 79 312470
- Gendron,Ansermet,SuissRom/decca lp mono acl 192

I´d probably go for the early Rostropovich/Kondrashin, quite lively and dualistic.

[aligreto]

As I posted recently on the general Schumann thread, I recently listened to Starker's 1950's recording with the Philharmonia Orchestra on EMI. I heard the piece live once, but I think this is the first time I have listened to a recording (although I have a few, buried in big box sets). I agree with you that the concerto is very satisfying in that it represents a collaboration between soloist and orchestra, rather than an adversarial contest. Although cello concertos tend to be like that (in contrast to violin and piano concertos).

Yes, I like a good cello concerto myself and this is a good one. That is interesting about the Starker / Philharmonia as I like the Philharmonia. Thank you for that.

[aligreto]

The Rostropovich I posted is of the original version - a recording from 1961 with Rozhdestvensky conducting the Leningrad Philharmonic. So perhaps that's an option for you?

e: this one -

[asin]B000025CF2[/asin]

I have already put that one on my List 

[aligreto]

Should I grab just one among those I´ve got

- Maisky,OrpheusCO/dg 13cd 12 00289 4779524
- Rostropovich,Kondrashin,MosRSO/everest mono sdbr 3391
- Rostropovich,Rozhdestvensky,LenPO/dg 74 2535 112
- Rostropovich,Rozhdestvensky,USSRSO/brill 10cd 92771
- Casals,Ormandy,PradO/cbs 3lp 77363
- Geringas,Foster,LSO/euro lp 79 312470
- Gendron,Ansermet,SuissRom/decca lp mono acl 192

I´d probably go for the early Rostropovich/Kondrashin, quite lively and dualistic.

Interesting list; I must check out the Rostropovich/Kondrashin version. Thank you for that.

[Karl Henning]

Well, you know . . . while to be sure I do not find any fault with Schumann's own scoring, I find the Shostakovich orchestration a very interesting "meeting of the musical minds."

[Parsifal]

Well, you know . . . while to be sure I do not find any fault with Schumann's own scoring, I find the Shostakovich orchestration a very interesting "meeting of the musical minds."

Sort of like the Looney Tunes  version of Wagner's Ring




In any case, I've been hoping to find time to listen to Fournier's old recording on EMI, 1956 I think.

[aligreto]

In any case, I've been hoping to find time to listen to Fournier's old recording on EMI, 1956 I think.

Oh I never thought of Fournier whom I like and he should be good in this work. Thank you for that.

[Parsifal]

Oh I never thought of Fournier whom I like and he should be good in this work. Thank you for that.

I have it here:

[asin]B003D0ZODW[/asin]

[NikF]

I now have a CD of the Schiff/Haitink/Berlin, which I'm looking forward to eventually hearing.

[aligreto]

I now have a CD of the Schiff/Haitink/Berlin, which I'm looking forward to eventually hearing.

I would be interested to know what you think of it when you eventually get to listen to it.

[NikF]

I would be interested to know what you think of it when you eventually get to listen to it.

Oh, I'll certainly post my thoughts after I've listened. Just keep in mind I have little to compare it with. 

[aligreto]

Oh, I'll certainly post my thoughts after I've listened. Just keep in mind I have little to compare it with. 

Your gut reaction will be fine 

[NikF]

Your gut reaction will be fine 

On first listen... Schiff sounds the more classical compared to the Rostropovich recording (by which I mean more refined - perhaps even staid?) whereas Rostropovich seems more colourful. As for the performances as a whole, Schiff/Haitink sound perfectly sympathetic to each other - far more together - and so the result is more powerful. Which do I prefer? I don't know.

[aligreto]

On first listen... Schiff sounds the more classical compared to the Rostropovich recording (by which I mean more refined - perhaps even staid?) whereas Rostropovich seems more colourful. As for the performances as a whole, Schiff/Haitink sound perfectly sympathetic to each other - far more together - and so the result is more powerful. Which do I prefer? I don't know.

Thanks for that and an interesting comparison between the two versions. That is exactly why people have multiple versions of any given work 

[NikF]

Thanks for that and an interesting comparison between the two versions. That is exactly why people have multiple versions of any given work 

You're welcome. And yes, I remember that back in my innocence I was sincere in thinking "...yeah, one, maybe even two interpretations are all that's required, especially if I like the piece"