Purchases Today

[Mirror Image]

Of course! How could I forget Anton!   

The one set of Schumann's symphonies I actually like is Kubelik.  I don't think I have the Szell.  OTOH, I have Dvorak from both of them, and I think I prefer Kubelik there.  The one composer in which I think Szell definitely outpaces the competition is Haydn.  I'd like to get his Beethoven cycle at some point.

Which Schumann symphony cycle of Kubelik's are you referring to: Bavarian RSO or BPO? I don't own either but I often don't turn to Kubelik for German Romantic music. Now, 20th Century music, on the hand, Kubelik absolutely kills in Hartmann's music. Anyway, Szell's Schumann has been praised to the high heavens for many years. I can certainly see why. He gives these works a clarity that I like and he also doesn't swoon or linger long in the slow movements. He does, however, give everything a little touch of swiftness that these symphonies need. But everything is beautifully played and has a lot of feeling.

By the way, I will try to give my impressions of the Schumann Cello Concerto recording with Gutman/Abbado if I can remember!

I have been looking at this one off/on all day:

[kishnevi]

My Kubelik cycle is the one with the Bavarians.  It was the first time I listened to Schumann's symphonies and thought "aha,  this really is great music".   Up to that point, I had always preferred his piano and chamber music.

Can't really help you with the Andsnes/Tetzlaff recording.  By the time that came out,  I felt I had enough recordings of the piano trios (principally the Beaux Arts Trio). 

If you want to delve in the string quartets more after you listen to the EMI set,  I'd suggest taking a look at the Ysaye Quartet recording.

[Brian]

My Kubelik cycle is the one with the Bavarians.  It was the first time I listened to Schumann's symphonies and thought "aha,  this really is great music".   Up to that point, I had always preferred his piano and chamber music.

That's the one on Sony now? If so, I agree with every word you said.

[Mirror Image]

My Kubelik cycle is the one with the Bavarians.  It was the first time I listened to Schumann's symphonies and thought "aha,  this really is great music".   Up to that point, I had always preferred his piano and chamber music.

Can't really help you with the Andsnes/Tetzlaff recording.  By the time that came out,  I felt I had enough recordings of the piano trios (principally the Beaux Arts Trio). 

If you want to delve in the string quartets more after you listen to the EMI set,  I'd suggest taking a look at the Ysaye Quartet recording.

Yeah, Kubelik tends to have that effect on many listeners. But my "Aha!" moment with Schumann's symphonies came from Bernstein's revelatory set with the VPO on DG. I knew this was good music but Bernstein made me realize that this was great music. Now, I prefer Szell or Harmoncourt, but there's no doubt that good ol' Lenny made me see the light that day. In terms of the concertante music, I'm still evaluating this side of his oeuvre, but have always had a fondness for the Violin Concerto and Piano Concerto. I hope to refresh my ears of the Cello Concerto with that Gutman/Abbado recording. Since SQs are far from my favorite instrumental combo, I'm going to tread very carefully with Schumann's SQs. Now, the Piano Trios, Violin Sonatas, etc., on the other hand, I'm going to dive into with complete conviction as I love hearing these types of works. Thanks for the your recommendation though.

[jlaurson]

Yes, I cancelled the Eschenbach recording after reading some negative opinions of the volume level of the this recording. This troubles me as I don't like low-level recordings ...

I can assure you that there's nothing wrong or unusual (or particularly low) about the volume level of that CD.

[Karl Henning]

My Kubelik cycle is the one with the Bavarians.  It was the first time I listened to Schumann's symphonies and thought "aha,  this really is great music".   Up to that point, I had always preferred his piano and chamber music.

Tangentially: the Violin Sonatas! If I had but one table to pound on behalf of Schumann, these are the pieces which would seal that table's doom.

[Karl Henning]

That's the one on Sony now? If so, I agree with every word you said.

Have you heard the Zinman? (Jeffrey is welcome to the same question.) I've not heard the Kubelik, but Zinman executed the same courtesy to mine ears.

[Parsifal]

Paul Paray, Detroit (Mercury Living Presence) is my favorite, I think.

[kishnevi]

Have you heard the Zinman? (Jeffrey is welcome to the same question.) I've not heard the Kubelik, but Zinman executed the same courtesy to mine ears.

The Zinman was in fact the first Schumann I got, well before Kubelik. 
The Kubelik is indeed the one in the Sony budget box (Kubelik Conducts Great Symphonies).  The only reason I don't suggest it for MI is that half the box is devoted to Mozart.

After all this discussion,  I've gotten confused about who I do have in Schumann, other than Zinman, Kubelik, and whomever is in that EMI box (Vonk, I think?).  I think I have Sawallisch.  I'm fairly sure I don't have Bernstein,  Harnoncourt, and Szell--MI's three favorites.   Must investigate what I have and map out purchases for the ones I don't have.....

[Parsifal]

After all this discussion,  I've gotten confused about who I do have in Schumann, other than Zinman, Kubelik, and whomever is in that EMI box (Vonk, I think?).  I think I have Sawallisch.  I'm fairly sure I don't have Bernstein,  Harnoncourt, and Szell--MI's three favorites.   Must investigate what I have and map out purchases for the ones I don't have.....

Bernstein is remarkable because the recordings were made during that period of time when he was making the famously slow recordings, but the Schumann is briskly performed.  It is as if he re-kindled something of the spark he had earlier in his career, as music director of the New York Philharmonic.  Besides Paray, I should mention Harnoncourt as another favorite.  He is a bit hit-and-mis with Schumann but the hits are good and he puts to rest the myth of Schumann's poor orchestration.  Plus, if you collect all of his Schumann you can get both versions of the 4th symphony.   Szell I'd like to have, the common wisdom is that it's be best and I'm sure it's very good.

[Mirror Image]

The Zinman was in fact the first Schumann I got, well before Kubelik. 
The Kubelik is indeed the one in the Sony budget box (Kubelik Conducts Great Symphonies).  The only reason I don't suggest it for MI is that half the box is devoted to Mozart.

After all this discussion,  I've gotten confused about who I do have in Schumann, other than Zinman, Kubelik, and whomever is in that EMI box (Vonk, I think?).  I think I have Sawallisch.  I'm fairly sure I don't have Bernstein,  Harnoncourt, and Szell--MI's three favorites.   Must investigate what I have and map out purchases for the ones I don't have.....

FYI, Sawallisch is in the EMI set that I bought yesterday, so if you own that set, then you have Sawallisch. As for Vonk, I believe he only conducted the concerti performances in the set. I don't recall seeing a symphony cycle conducted by Vonk.

[Brian]

The Zinman was in fact the first Schumann I got, well before Kubelik. 
The Kubelik is indeed the one in the Sony budget box (Kubelik Conducts Great Symphonies).  The only reason I don't suggest it for MI is that half the box is devoted to Mozart.

Again, our experience is 100% exactly the same. That said, several years passed before I got the Kubelik, during which I did not listen to the Zinman, so I do not wish to disparage the Z-man in any way.

[Sergeant Rock]

I'm fairly sure I don't have Bernstein,  Harnoncourt, and Szell--MI's three favorites.

One of the rare times MI and I agree   The only difference in my Top 3 would be Barenboim instead of Harnoncourt (Harnoncourt I have not heard...yet). In fourth place, Goodman/Hanover Band.

Sarge

[Geo Dude]

You people and your Schumann discussion, reminding me of things that were already tempting me...   Oh, and an earlier order I forgot to post because it won't be shipping for a while (on back order and whatnot)

[North Star]

You people and your Schumann discussion, reminding me of things that were already tempting me...   Oh, and an earlier order I forgot to post because it won't be shipping for a while (on back order and whatnot)

Do you know the Carolin Widmann recording of the violin sonatas? Absolutely wonderful. 

[jlaurson]

Do you know the Carolin Widmann recording of the violin sonatas? Absolutely wonderful. 

+1 Absolutely amazing.

Dip Your Ears, No. 97

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/02/dip-your-ears-no-97.html

[Mirror Image]

I can assure you that there's nothing wrong or unusual (or particularly low) about the volume level of that CD.

Thanks for this, Jens. I'll definitely buy this recording (again).

[Mirror Image]

Just re-ordered on the confirmation from Jens that this is not a low-level recording :

[Mirror Image]

Just bought for $4:

[Geo Dude]