BaL 20.01.24 - Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129

[Barbirollians]

What’s happened to Isserlis ? Queryas a bit wiry for me ,Capucon sleepy in the slow movement.

[Goon525]

He generally does that when he lacks confidence in the reviewer. But LT seems to know her onions.

[Barbirollians]

What a ridiculous sweeping statement from Tunbridge about Schumann’s orchestral works requiring chamber forces .

[Barbirollians]

He generally does that when he lacks confidence in the reviewer. But LT seems to know her onions.

Yes she did despite McGregor’s pushing to make her choose Queyras . He is so predictable in this sort of music - and it seems she felt she had to choose a “ modern” recording though of course the marvellous Isserlis isn’t that modern . Also seemed to give McGregor a nasty shock when she brought du Pre and Rostropovich into the final four.

[Goon525]

What a ridiculous sweeping statement from Tunbridge about Schumann’s orchestral works requiring chamber forces .

Of course there have been great recordings of the symphonies by full orchestras, from Furtwangler’s famous 4th to the Sawallisch set I grew up with. But most successful modern recordings have been by chamber orchestras. So, yes, too sweeping a statement, but there is a glimmer of truth in the suggestion that chamber orchestras can present Schumann’s orchestration more successfully.

[richardfinegold]

Of course there have been great recordings of the symphonies by full orchestras, from Furtwangler’s famous 4th to the Sawallisch set I grew up with. But most successful modern recordings have been by chamber orchestras. So, yes, too sweeping a statement, but there is a glimmer of truth in the suggestion that chamber orchestras can present Schumann’s orchestration more successfully.

I agree with most of this, but as with all things there tend to be trade offs. I really like the Dausgaard set with a chamber orchestra, but when it comes to some of the big moments it sounds scrappy and underpowered. I’ve gradually come to embrace Karajan. He seems to know when to lighten the textures, like an expert gardener pruning some shrubs to allow for interplay of light and shade. And for my money his rubato seems in tune and at the service of the music and not arbitrary . I dislike Bernstein in most of the symphonies although there are some thrills along the way, but Schumann’s tenderness seems to elude L.B.
I should probably move off of Bernstein/Rose then in the concerto. I will stream Queras as he seems to be a favorite (pace Barbs) of people here

[Barbirollians]

I agree with most of this, but as with all things there tend to be trade offs. I really like the Dausgaard set with a chamber orchestra, but when it comes to some of the big moments it sounds scrappy and underpowered. I’ve gradually come to embrace Karajan. He seems to know when to lighten the textures, like an expert gardener pruning some shrubs to allow for interplay of light and shade. And for my money his rubato seems in tune and at the service of the music and not arbitrary . I dislike Bernstein in most of the symphonies although there are some thrills along the way, but Schumann’s tenderness seems to elude L.B.
I should probably move off of Bernstein/Rose then in the concerto. I will stream Queras as he seems to be a favorite (pace Barbs) of people here

Too wiry a tone for my liking . I think the Isserlis is a proper library choice and one of his best records.

[pastoralguy]

Am I the only person who finds the Schumann ‘cello concerto just a little bit dull?

[Goon525]

Am I the only person who finds the Schumann ‘cello concerto just a little bit dull?

No, you’re not. Surely not a masterpiece compared with the piano concerto. And I’m a Schumann fan generally.

[Pulcinella]

Am I the only person who finds the Schumann ‘cello concerto just a little bit dull?

Another here who sides with you; hence the comment in my post #8, where I mention the serviceable Naxos CD, bought more because I felt I should have the work somewhere in my collection (and likewise the Brahms) than because I particularly like it.

[mikealdren]

Am I the only person who finds the Schumann ‘cello concerto just a little bit dull?

Me too, if it was a violin or piano concerto we would rarely hear it but there is much less choice for cellists. I actually prefer his violin concerto and look how often that's played.

[pastoralguy]

Me too, if it was a violin or piano concerto we would rarely hear it but there is much less choice for cellists. I actually prefer his violin concerto and look how often that's played.

Thank you to everyone who replied supporting me. I’ve listened to it many times but, let’s face it, it’s not the Dvorak or the Elgar. Not that that’s a reason not to hear it but it just isn’t memorable, imvho!

I think the problem with the violin concerto is that too many soloists try to make it sounds like the Brahms concerto. Again, imvho, the only soloist I’ve heard who plays it with a gentleness it needs is Baibe Skride. For me, her performance is spot on.

[RobP]

Unfortunately both these recordings are now download only. I looked at this concerto on Presto over the weekend and was disappointed to see that most are either download only or only available in mammoth boxes. I hope that Laura will recommend a version available as a single CD. I used to have an LP of Paul Tortelier playing the concerto, coupled with Léon Boellmann's Symphonic Variations (can't remember conductor or orchestra), a piece I have never heard before or since. I gave the CD to a friend years ago so am currently without a recording. Coin or Queyras would have been ideal but I don't buy downloads as I don't use portable devices.

Hi Paul, only just noticed this. You don't need to download to a portable device. You can download to a computer and link it to a DAC (there are very high quality ones around that handle up to DSD512 for a few hundred quid). That way you can also stream, although unfortunately you can't stream DSD at present.

[RobP]

Am I the only person who finds the Schumann ‘cello concerto just a little bit dull?

No

[duncan]

McGregor being particularly irritating and intrusive this morning .

He generally does that when he lacks confidence in the reviewer. But LT seems to know her onions.

Is it just my imagination or does this occur more often when the reviewer is a woman?