Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture
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CD Details
Edition: Music CDCD Release Date: 1996-10-01
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- 1. Andante un poco maestoso - Allegro molto vivace
- 2. Larghetto
- 3. Scherzo: Molto vivace - Trio 1: Molto pi? vivace - Trio 2
- 4. Allegro animato e grazioso
- 1. Sostenuto assai - Allegro ma non troppo
- 2. Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Trio 1 - Trio 2
- 3. Adagio espressivo
- 4. Allegro molto vivace
- 1. Lebhaft
- 2. Scherzo: Sehr m?ssig
- 3. Nicht schnell
- 4. Feierlich
- 5. Lebhaft
- 1. Ziemlich langsam-Lebhaft
- 2. Romanze: Ziemlich langsam
- 3. Scherzo: Lebhaft-Trio
- 4. Langsam-Lebhaft
- Overture
Music reviews of Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture
Music Review: Sharply executed, of course, but so what?
Rating: 3 Stars
There are so many excellent recordings of these works that any trumpeting of Szell's rigid versions of them with his usual preference for metallic sound, clumsy transitions, and heavy-handed rubato is bound to sound like mere partisan positioning, misinformation based on lack of exposure to what's possible with these works, or simple nostalgia for things past.
Of course, it's all very muscular, tightly reigned-in, and rigorous, but that's not even what a Schumann piece should sound like. There is very little of the tenderness of heart and the passion of the mind, and none of the delicacy of feeling and sense of spontaneity, that stand behind the fundamental thrust of these works and their aspiration. And where is all the love for this music? Szell sounds like he certainly has none, and you're likely to not develop any, either, unless you seek out the all so very different but in their own way equally valid alternatives given to us by the likes of Barenboim (interesting mixture of old and new in interpretation, in very good modern sound), Sinopoli (a personal favorite, similarly in better sound than these), Sawallisch (many like his "light" approach which is fine with these particular works, but it can sound a bit bland and undifferentiated), Klemperer (always so masterly in highlighting what the work is really all about and how it goes), and first and foremost Furtwaengler (who however only left us with a couple of these, but his 4th is unforgettable and one of the finest examples of his art, simply glorius if there is such a thing as glorious music on earth; however, the sound is mono, for those who care).
Be honest: how many have actually managed to listen through these very taxing performances on one sitting? This music can be so interesting and beautiful but unfortunately not much of that is in evidence on these recordings. Upon hearing them, one starts feeling discouraged in life, empty and somehow vaguely down. And that from Schumann?!? Seeking the source with the greatest fidelity, I even went for the SACDs of the same for fair measure, but they of course only put Szell's characteristic qualities into a greater relief. So, for the Szell collectors and Schumann completists with a historical bent only, is my bottom line (and even they should be wary of the many alterations Szell made to the score). The rest of us who just want their Schumann served as Schumann should are better off looking elsewhere.
Description of Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture
George Szell was on record as saying that he believed there was no reason the Schumann symphonies shouldn't be "as popular as Tchaikovsky." When they're played like this, it's hard to disagree. Schumann is one of those composers that every conductor does, but that few do really well. Part of the problem stems from the monochrome orchestration. Szell makes minor adjustments for the sake of clarity, but otherwise leaves it up to his superb orchestra to achieve the proper balances. And despite the usual extraordinary discipline that he imposes on his players, he's not afraid to let the music's Romantic temper burst out now and again in a surge of energy. With excellently remastered sound, this set is certainly one for the record books. --David HurwitzGeneral CDs
- Styles > Classical
- Featured Composers, A-Z > ( S ) > Schumann, Robert
- Featured Performers, A-Z > ( C ) > Cleveland Orchestra
- Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Romantic
- Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Incidental Music
- Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
- Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music
- Symphonies > General
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