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Schumann: Symphonies 2 & 4 - Gardiner

Schumann: Symphonies 2 & 4 - Gardiner

LSO Live  LSO0818

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral


Schumann: Symphonies 2 & 4, Genoveva (overture)

London Symphony Orchestra
Sir John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)


'Every opportunity to perform the Schumann symphonies is an opportunity to marvel at their extraordinary profusion of ideas and poetic expression and to explore their kaleidoscopic originality. Each time it gives one a chance to vindicate Schumann as a master of symphonic form and instrumental colour, contrary to the dreary cliché that he couldn’t orchestrate.'
- Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Following the success of his Mendelssohn cycle, Sir John Eliot Gardiner turns to the music of Robert Schumann, launching an exploration of his symphonic works that begins with his Second and Fourth symphonies and a rare glimpse of his only opera.

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Comment by hiredfox - March 6, 2020 (1 of 2)

There is most certainly good chemistry between John Eliott Gardiner and the LSO as we heard with their recent outstanding Mendelssohn survey and this first instalment of the Schumann symphonies confirms that synergistic bond. These are spirited and well observed accounts of the 4th and 2nd symphonies and as good as anything in the SACD catalogue and will be well received by critics. There is nothing in these performances that will disappoint, indeed rather the opposite as Schumann's symphonies with the exception of the "Spring" can be quite dull and uninspiring in the wrong hands. Gardiner however does not let us down and holds attention from beginning to end with good pacing and not a little verve.

OK, if you value soundstage precision, tonal accuracy and expansiveness over performance then you will probably look beyond anything recorded at The Barbican Hall and its extravagance of archtectural hardwood but in reality this is what the venue sounds like and Classic Sound have to make the best of it. That apart this disc can be fully recommended for showing us how good these works can sound.

I can't wait for Vol 2 which is due to arrive in our post box today.

Comment by Paul Hannah - April 3, 2020 (2 of 2)

Although not on SACD I prefer his performance on Archiv with the ORR