Schumann Symphonies Complete Set

[Nick Armstrong]

I love the Kubelik DG but I think Caliban found the sound much too dry for his ears as I recall so a word of warning on that - it is true that my analogue cassette of the Spring Symphony sounds airier if hissier . The Sony performances are better recorded but a bt less interesting as I remember

Oh yes, well remembered Barb! I bought that but sent it back, couldn't live with it!

The things one forgets

[Petrushka]

Last time this came up, I invested in the Szell. Still love the Sawallisch best...



I'm surprised you say that, Pet. It's the airy, natural sound that's one of its joys I think!

I have it in the GROC incarnation and wonder if the remastering is at fault. In any event, BPO/Kubelik is the one for me with BPO/Karajan a close second.

[gurnemanz]

Sawallisch/Dresden was my only set on LP for many years. I have more recently acquired several good CD sets already mentioned - JEG, Karajan, Bernstein, also Masur/LPO not yet mentioned.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes yes yes and yes again!

Didn't Szell beggar around with the orchestration?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Interesting point: didn't Solti record the works with [the VPO]? At the risk of invoking risible nationalist stereotypes, is it possible that Schumann's orchestral work need a more "Germanic" whoomff to them than the more easy-going grace of the Viennese?



D'you know - even as I wrote that, it occured to me that I was talking sphericals.

Other recordings with the VPO were made by Bernstein (as Alpie pointed out - also on DVD), Mehta and Muti (the later set).

[Nick Armstrong]

I have it in the GROC incarnation and wonder if the remastering is at fault.

That's very interesting... I have a much earlier version, from 1988





I was wondering whether I ought to 'upgrade' to the newer mastering but it sounds like I should stick with what I like...

[jayne lee wilson]

Each remastering of the Sawallisch set I've heard has improved it - EMI Studio: uncomfortable - resonant, bright and a bit boomy; EMI Groc - sweeter, greater refinement & definition; EMI Toshiba - sweetest and most spacious of all, better def. at low levels too. The early Lukaskirche recording is the root cause, how far you go with these editions depends on how much you love it! But to my ears, the Groc isn't bad at all.

[Pabmusic]

I haven't heard the Zinman/Baltimore set, but I do have the Zinman/Tonhalle Zurich set, which is really good (he uses natural horns with a modern orchestra, which is successful). I also have the 1956 Boult set with the LPO (very 'modern' sounding - far removed from what was usual in the 50s - even a bit hard-driven occasionally). Sawallisch, Thomas Daussgard, Antoni Wit and Riccardo Chailly are my others. Chailly uses Mahler's tinkerings (not necessary at all, but interesting nonetheless).

All of these sets give great pleasure.

[Arcades Project]

Hanover Band / Roy Goodman

Which I also have, to add to my unique collection of Schumann symphony recordings no one else is interested in . Just played the 'Rhenish' & definitely





Thanks for reminding me, waldhorn.

Horn playing isn't half bad ....

[vibratoforever]

I only ever acquired one set of the 4 symphonies - Zinman, Tonhalle - but parted with it quickly.

Have to agree with the comments praising the Furtwangler 4, one of the best lps I ever bought. Gunter Wand's performance is the only one I have felt has come close.

[akiralx]

Each remastering of the Sawallisch set I've heard has improved it - EMI Studio: uncomfortable - resonant, bright and a bit boomy; EMI Groc - sweeter, greater refinement & definition; EMI Toshiba - sweetest and most spacious of all, better def. at low levels too. The early Lukaskirche recording is the root cause, how far you go with these editions depends on how much you love it! But to my ears, the Groc isn't bad at all.

I trust you will be getting the very nice SACDs then...

One recent set I have enjoyed a lot is Oramo and the Royal Stockholm SO on Sony.

[MickyD]

Hanover Band / Roy Goodman

For some reason, this set from the HB passed me by...I must try and get my hands on a copy. Is it still available?

[Dave2002]

I have Kubelik, Szell, Barenboim,and Karajan. Von K is the most consistently satisfying.

I didn't want to like Karajan. One day I heard one of the symphonies "blind" - probably on R3. I bought Karajan's set (DG) shortly afterwards - it is very good. I also like Kubelik and Sawallisch, and Szell.

[Bryn]

For some reason, this set from the HB passed me by...I must try and get my hands on a copy. Is it still available?

It is, but not at bargain basement prices.

[PJPJ]

I trust you will be getting the very nice [Sawallsich] SACDs then...

They would be very nice if they also supplied the four channel mastering of the original LPs. As they're stereo only, and 24/96, the high resolution downloads will do just as well if you are set up for these, and may even be preferable to the SACDs; for one, the downloads from qobuz are a hell of a lot cheaper than the Japanese SACDs.

http://www.qobuz.com/album/wolfgang-sawallisch-schumann-the-four-symphonies/5099992802353

Highly recommended.