Franz Schmidt(1874-1939)

lunar22 · September 23, 2024, 12:54:07 AM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 04, 2024, 04:15:17 PMA fine tribute to Schmidt on his 150th anniversary would be a new recording of his string quartets, being this Nimbus CD the only one that with good sound and has both quartets. This music is interesting and it grows on you with repeated listens.

I agree, although I would say the two string quartets are very different in character. The first--probably my absolute favourite string quartet in the entire repertoire -- is very much Beethoven based with more interesting chromatic harmony and unforgettable melodies. The second is more diffuse and at times seems to be exploring chromaticism almost for its own sake. Although interesting, I feel it's possibly his weakest chamber work, though the small output is of a uniformly high standard with the A major clarinet quintet again being quite exceptional.

lunar22 · September 23, 2024, 01:04:49 AM

the best complete cycle is for me clearly Rajter -- only he really consistently brings the necessary love and warmth to this repertoire even if there is the occasional miscalculation like the sluggish finale to no. 3. No.4 does have some competition -- Mehta's is possibly the greatest thing he ever did and the Moralt is also very moving in a work where I've heard some really terrible performances (Welser-Möst is just one of them)

Daverz · March 14, 2025, 11:15:07 AM

Franz Schmidt on the Jens and Joe Show:

Daverz · March 14, 2025, 12:33:30 PM

Quote from: lunar22 on September 23, 2024, 01:04:49 AMthe best complete cycle is for me clearly Rajter -- only he really consistently brings the necessary love and warmth to this repertoire even if there is the occasional miscalculation like the sluggish finale to no. 3. No.4 does have some competition -- Mehta's is possibly the greatest thing he ever did and the Moralt is also very moving in a work where I've heard some really terrible performances (Welser-Möst is just one of them)

There have been at least 5 cycles recorded after the Rajter: Neeme and Paavo Jarvi, Vasily Sinaisky, Fabio Luisi, and Jonathan Berman.

Der lächelnde Schatten · March 14, 2025, 08:03:51 PM

Quote from: lunar22 on September 23, 2024, 01:04:49 AMthe best complete cycle is for me clearly Rajter -- only he really consistently brings the necessary love and warmth to this repertoire even if there is the occasional miscalculation like the sluggish finale to no. 3. No.4 does have some competition -- Mehta's is possibly the greatest thing he ever did and the Moralt is also very moving in a work where I've heard some really terrible performances (Welser-Möst is just one of them)

I'm going to have to disagree. I think Fabio Luisi outclasses Rajter on all fronts.

lunar22 · March 15, 2025, 05:53:44 AM

Luisi is the main competitor and at one stage I had seriously thought of getting that cycle as well. In the end, I restricted myself to his 2nd (my favourite of the symphonies) which for me doesn't quite match Rajter but is still a serious contender.

Symphonic Addict · May 11, 2025, 09:09:57 PM

A remarkable, thoughtful and enthusiastic analysis of one of Schmidt's towering masterpieces: his Fourth Symphony. Having watched the video with enormous pleasure, my admiration and love for the work increased even more. What a great, great, great composition.

Der lächelnde Schatten · Reply #167 - Re: Franz Schmidt(1874-1939)

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 11, 2025, 09:09:57 PMA remarkable, thoughtful and enthusiastic analysis of one of Schmidt's towering masterpieces: his Fourth Symphony. Having watched the video with enormous pleasure, my admiration and love for the work increased even more. What a great, great, great composition.

I haven't watched this video, but I can only nod my head in agreement with sentiment expressed. Schmidt has risen in my estimation over the years. Once I started to dig into his oeuvre, I came away with newfound appreciation for his music. His 3rd symphony seems to get unfairly ignored when talking about his four symphonies for some reason, but it was this particular work that helped me understand the composer even more. I already loved the 1st, 2nd and 4th symphonies, but it was the 3rd that gave me the most problems, but then suddenly it was as if a gate had opened up. The performance that did it for me was Luisi on Querstand label. I highly recommend the Luisi cycle to everyone here as, for me, it is without question my favorite. Perhaps part of the reason the performances are so touching is because Luisi shares a personal history with the composer in that his music moved him when he was a teenager. The work in question was Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln.

Anyway, I may have to do another dive into Schmidt's music again soon.