Schmidt, Franz (1874-1939

[hmvman]

A composer not on my radar until this week when glancing at 'Slipped Disc'. Lebrecht was bemoaning the release of another set of Schmidt's symphonies, this one by Paavo Järvi, and wondering why conductors bothered with these "tedious screeds". In the comments section a number of people rushed to Schmidt's defence, not least the conductor Fabio Luisi. Others, however, endorsed Lebrecht's opinion: "mediocre music for mediocre minds", said one.

Curious, I went to YouTube and have listened to Symphonies 1, 2 and 4 and I must say I'm glad I did because I've found them to be fine works and, although perhaps lacking the depth of Mahler and Bruckner, not at all tedious. Maybe I have a mediocre mind!

I'd be interested to read other forumistas' thoughts on Schmidt and any recommendations for further listening.

[Joseph K]

If you check out the third, it has some nice harmonies, of the 20th century Schubertian sort...

[hmvman]

Thanks, Joseph, the third is next on my list!

[Pulcinella]

The only Schmidt in my collection is Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln (The book with seven seals), in the Franz Welser-Möst recording (though a cheaper Gemini incarnation):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Schmidt-Das-Buch-sieben-Siegeln/dp/B00000C2JB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=schmidt+book+with+seven+seals+welser&qid=1601193894&s=music&sr=1-1

I have no memory of it, so must remedy that by listening to it again.
I don't think that I've ever heard any of the symphonies.

[Alison]

Have the Schmidt symphonies really been overrecorded in relation to their quality?

Not sure that I can think of many complete sets being issued either: once again Mr Lebrecht not quite on the money here.

[Bryn]

Have the Schmidt symphonies really been overrecorded in relation to their quality?

Not sure that I can think of many complete sets being issued either: once again Mr Lebrecht not quite on the money here.

I think there are 4 complete surveys of the symphonies, Järvi (Neeme and Paavo), Rajter and Sinaisky with others apparently in progress.

[Richard Barrett]

once again Mr Lebrecht not quite on the money here

Now I love Mahler's music as much as if not more than Norman "Wisdom" Lebrecht, but at the same time surely he is one of the most overrecorded composers in history. I listened to Schmidt's no.4 in the new Järvi recording and found it really quite engaging. If something is worth recording at all, it's worth being given the opportunity to develop some kind of tradition with alternative interpretations being available. As for "mediocre minds", one needs only to read some of NL's writings to come to some conclusions on that matter.

[Bryn]

Now I love Mahler's music as much as if not more than Norman "Wisdom" Lebrecht, but at the same time surely he is one of the most overrecorded composers in history. I listened to Schmidt's no.4 in the new Järvi recording and found it really quite engaging. If something is worth recording at all, it's worth being given the opportunity to develop some kind of tradition with alternative interpretations being available. As for "mediocre minds", one needs only to read some of NL's writings to come to some conclusions on that matter.

[richardfinegold]

A composer not on my radar until this week when glancing at 'Slipped Disc'. Lebrecht was bemoaning the release of another set of Schmidt's symphonies, this one by Paavo Järvi, and wondering why conductors bothered with these "tedious screeds". In the comments section a number of people rushed to Schmidt's defence, not least the conductor Fabio Luisi. Others, however, endorsed Lebrecht's opinion: "mediocre music for mediocre minds", said one.

Curious, I went to YouTube and have listened to Symphonies 1, 2 and 4 and I must say I'm glad I did because I've found them to be fine works and, although perhaps lacking the depth of Mahler and Bruckner, not at all tedious. Maybe I have a mediocre mind!

I'd be interested to read other forumistas' thoughts on Schmidt and any recommendations for further listening.

I have tried to listen to his music at various times in my life, and I’ll vote for the Mediocre Music comment

[Pulcinella]

I hadn't realised that he was one of the composers who wrote a left-hand concerto (amongst other pieces) for Paul Wittgenstein:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8039342--franz-schmidt-works-for-piano-left-hand-orchestra

[Petrushka]

I've heard the 2nd and 4th symphonies live at the Proms with the Vienna Philharmonic/Bychkov and Berlin Philharmonic/Petrenko respectively so no-one could say I've not tried. However, I've yet to be convinced that his music is worth pursuing though may well re-visit at some point.

[jayne lee wilson]

Its a shame that chamber music can so often be overlooked on such a thread so I would strongly recommend seeking Schmidt's out.

Schmidt's two String Quartets have an inevitable Brahmsian/Regerian feel, and the first (playing here now, sounds gorgeous) pitches somewhere between late Brahms and the Schoenberg of Transfigured Night.
Time I got to know these far better.

There's a lovely elegiac delicacy to No.1. Highly wrought, but not at all too thick or heavy, beautifully written for the medium. And with one of those echt-Schmidtian fleeting, flowing post-Mendelssohnian scherzi. Do try it.
There are two Clarinet Quintets, like the quartets all mature works from the 1920s/30s, and a Quintet for piano left hand (for Paul Wittgenstein), two violins, viola and cello in G major from 1926; premiered Stuttgart 1931; with a two-handed arrangement by Friedrich Wührer (1954).

Onto the playlist right now!

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/schmidt-the-string-quartets-franz-schubert-quartett/0190374078757

[Pulcinella]

Its a shame that chamber music can so often be overlooked on such a thread so I would strongly recommend seeking Schmidt's out.

Schmidt's two String Quartets have an inevitable Brahmsian/Regerian feel, and the first (playing here now, sounds gorgeous) pitches somewhere between late Brahms and the Schoenberg of Transfigured Night.
Time I got to know these far better.

There's a lovely elegiac delicacy to No.1. Highly wrought, but not at all too thick or heavy, beautifully written for the medium. And with one of those echt-Schmidtian fleeting, flowing post-Mendelssohnian scherzi. Do try it.
There are two Clarinet Quintets, like the quartets all mature works from the 1920s/30s, and a Quintet for piano left hand (for Paul Wittgenstein), two violins, viola and cello in G major from 1926; premiered Stuttgart 1931; with a two-handed arrangement by Friedrich Wührer (1954).

Onto the playlist right now!

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/sc.../0190374078757

The Quintet is included in the set I linked to in post #10.
I listened yesterday, and was pretty impressed.

[hmvman]

Thank you, Jayne, I shall certainly seek out those chamber works. I've also listened to the Fantasy for piano and orchestra; not exceptional, I think, but an enjoyable listen.

[Alison]

I think there are 4 complete surveys of the symphonies, Järvi (Neeme and Paavo), Rajter and Sinaisky with others apparently in progress.

A complete set issue is a special thing though: the recent Ives new release from DG being in a similar category.