Perennially beloved staples of the orchestral repertoire since their composition (now approaching 200 years ago!), I don’t believe it patronising to admit, this in itself is sure testimony to the enduring qualities of Schumann's symphonies. Replete in rich melodic invention, captivating structural and rhythmic twists and turns, all married to truly hypnotic harmonic genius, these symphonies are amongst the most joyous and cherished of the Romantic period, and all composed within a mere decade!
Schumann is often termed the most generous composer in history, in the sense his melodies and harmonies are so abundantly rich and full - giving so liberally and copiously of himself, conferring inexhaustible flight to his feelings and musical planes. Where one would think a melody is pretty damned complete as is, Schumann finds that harmonic zigzag, that melodic turn which still fits like a glove, but nevertheless does a banana-skin slip with our expectations. Nothing is ever forced!
This is not to suggest his music is engulfed in tides of tumescent romantic or hollow effusions; on the contrary, his music in sinuous, with an always brilliant structural mind behind every note, where every note has its rightful place. Gifted with a musically boundless and intensely fecund mind, Schumann’s intellect was also of a genuinely rare pedigree. Not only a great composer, he was also an important newspaper founder and editor, plus - to boot - one of the greatest chess players in Europe.
In my library, I possess - of varying qualities/standards - many recordings of these symphonies. Among the best (for me) - Bruno Walter's live 4th, while Furtwangler’s live 4th is deservedly legendary. Toscanini's live 2nd is breathtaking and epic in the extreme!!, while the Soltis are extremely good. One of my votes for the door-prize however would be the Barenboim's. Everything is just too easy for this man, who never has to wrestle with anything, thus everything he plays/conducts is all a little glib for me.
Though the Bernsteins are good from an orchestral perspective, for me somehow, Lennie doesn't fully grasp Schumann's language, instead camouflaging this fact with his often scorched-earth passion. On the surface, when you think you're right into Schumann, you're actually experiencing Bernstein's passion channelled through Schumann’s music.
Upon release last year, I purchased - in unavailing hope - the Kubelik 2nd Symphony from this site. Pleasant in the extreme, I felt this a too-comfortable reading, and think it fair to say, very few performers fully understand the manic and even febrile in Schumann's music.
Enter George Szell! For the Schumann symphonies, I feel this the unqualified pinnacle. Every dimension of Schumann’s music is unerringly balanced, revealed, and exquisitely painted, without ever glossing over the miniscule yet elemental details. Listening, you feel Szell peel back the surface, to expose the mysteries and cipher the secrets of Schumann’s true language.
Recommended UNRESERVEDLY!
Gil Sullivan
24/352.8 DXD PCM Flac Digital Download
