Classical Court

From Perotin to Prokofiev (and beyond), performed by Caruso to Khatia, it's all here.

Return to Classical Court

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Schumann symphonies recs? (nt)

144.15.249.68
Posted on April 25, 2000 at 09:32:11
BobH


 

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Knappertsbusch and Karajan (nt), posted on April 25, 2000 at 10:13:55
Jorge F
 :-)





Regards,

Jorge





 

Re: Schumann symphonies recs? (nt), posted on April 25, 2000 at 13:19:04
Pat D
 George Szell, Cleveland Symphony, is well-regarded. I have the box set on LP but haven't listened to it for a long time. As I recall the performances were pretty good, but the sound was washy, though pleasant. However, I have not heard it on my current system.

On CD, I have Haitink, Concertgebouw Orch. on Philips, which is good and liked by the Penguin Guide, and Antoni Wit on Naxos, which is not liked by the PG. I rather enjoy the Naxos recordings. Even though the orchestra is not as eminent, they give quite spirited performances, and Antoni Wit is a really fine conductor. The sound is pretty good, though if your system is on the lean side, it may sound too dry. That would not be a problem with the Philips recording. On the whole, I prefer Antoni Wit's version.

 

Re: Knappertsbusch and Karajan (nt), posted on April 25, 2000 at 16:39:43
BobH
 Gosh, I am amazed at a recommendation for vonK here. I have been questioning my vonK recordings ever since walking down this Lane. I have Symph 1 along with his Brahms 1 and rather like it, but wonder if his performances are as dry as some folks here say. Are you actually a vonK fan? I find romantic music hard to judge for performance.

 

Re: Schumann symphonies recs? (nt), posted on April 25, 2000 at 18:17:38
Brian Cheney
 On an absolute scale performances of the Schumann symphonies line up like this:

#1 (Spring): Munch/Boston SO (stereo), a fine late 50's outing

#2: Bernstein/Stadium Symphony Orchestra, a rare Brunswick LP from 1952

#3: Klemperer/Philharmonia (stereo), another fine late 50's recording;

and the Champion:

#4: Furtwaengler/Berlin PO (1951) mono: the best recording of a Schumann symphony by anyone; mesmerizing, must have.

Big B

 

George Szell's SBM reissue set!, posted on April 25, 2000 at 20:28:53
edta
 Yes, Szell's are excellent performances, not for purists though due to some changes he made in the scores. The sound on the Sony SBM reissue is very close to the best on CD for a reissued analog. J10 at Stereophile recommended this set in r to df. The two CDs include the four symphonies and the Manfred Overture.

Agreed that Haitink is fine in these, more stately than Szell. A budget version that's not bad is cond. by Jerzy Semkow on Vox.

 

Re: George Szell's SBM reissue set!, posted on April 26, 2000 at 13:11:18
Pat D
 I got home in time last night to listen to Szell's recording of the Rhenish Symphony, no. 3, which is my favorite Schumann symphony. I am not purist enough to worry about the changes in the score, and I like the performance very much. I have the Odyssey reissue LP box set. Over the Quads, the sound is really pretty good, spacious and pretty smooth. After 7 years, I haven't yet managed to listen to everything I have through the Quads.

Also on LP, I have nos. 1 and 4 with Krips, LSO, on London STS, which as I remember is pretty fair, and the Rhenish with Klemperer, which I always liked. I haven't listened to these for years, so I will have to do so soon. Ahhh....when I retire, maybe I'll have more time for the important things in life.

 

Re: Knappertsbusch and Karajan (nt), posted on April 26, 2000 at 15:34:30
Jorge F
 Well I wouldn't recommend Bernstein (VPO), for example.
Karajan is just ok, sort of 'fit it and forget it' option.
What I really wated to listen was Celibidache. Saw a CD that wasn't as expensive as usual, in what concerns Celibidache, but... I already had four CDs under my arm and wanted the check a brand-new vinyl jazz section as well :-)






Regards,

Jorge





 

Re: George Szell's SBM reissue set!, posted on April 26, 2000 at 18:04:16
edta
 Pat,

One of my very first LPs was an Epic Mono of Szell doing the Spring Symphony with the Manfred overture. I played it a lot back then. The reissue sounds better, hey, can I really remember what stuff sounded like throught KLH 6's? I also like the Szell Rhenish.

Schumann was an underated composer as far as I'm concerned. Most days I'd rather listen to him than to Brahms. It doesn't take a lot of concentrating to hear Schumann in Wagner. Course if you don't like Wagner, does anyone not like Wagner?

Some people think of Szell as a metronome freak and maybe he was a bit, but in some romantic works like these Schumanns or Smetana or Dvorak, or even R. Strauss he really excelled.

 

Forget about catching up after retirement!, posted on April 26, 2000 at 19:48:19
edta
 I'm retired and I know. Working part-time two or three days a week at a job that is almost a hobby. Going to college one evening a week. Family and group get togethers. Gardening and taking care of the yard and house. Doing the weekly park walks and pumping iron. Going on vacations and cruises. Family gatherings and parties. Getting involved in local politics. Trying to write that novel. Reading and rereading fiction and poetry. Going on Sierra Club hikes. Researching pollution and EPA violations in the community. Checking your favorite websites. Listening to your new CDs and LPs. Listening to your old CDs and LPs. Watching the occasional videotape or cable movie. Checking in at the Classical Court.

Don't wait. Do it today!

 

Re: Forget about catching up after retirement!, posted on April 27, 2000 at 12:47:51
Pat D
 "Don't wait. Do it today!"

Is that listen to the music, or retire? Don't tempt me!

I'm glad to see that you have found life after retirement--I think I will have plenty to do, too. Besides, there's that young woman who keeps suggesting I help her bring up her kids!

 

Ok, what about these?, posted on April 27, 2000 at 13:03:12
BobH
 I don't seem to have all the choices recommended. If you chose between these for symphonies 3&4?

Berstein (NYPO)
Kubelik (BavarianRSO)
Kubelik (BerlinPO)
Szell (CSO)

 

Page processed in 0.054 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]