Composer: Robert Schumann, Gustav Mahler
Orchestra: ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Marin Alsop
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Catalogue: 8574429
Release: 2022
Size: 1.22 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 1 in B flat major, Op. 38 ‘Spring’
01. I. Andante un poco maestoso – Allegro molto vivace
02. II. Larghetto
03. III. Scherzo. Molto vivace
04. IV. Allegro animato e grazioso
Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61
05. I. Sostenuto assai
06. II. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
07. III. Adagio espressivo
08. IV. Allegro molto vivace
Robert Schumann’s works lie at the centre of German Romanticism, with an essentially lyrical style that reflects his quintessential place among the great German composers. From 1840 Schumann switched from writing, primarily, piano music and Lieder, to writing orchestral music, with the joyful First Symphony written in just four days, and the uplifting tone of the Second Symphony a remarkable triumph over depression and illness. But the effectiveness of Schumann’s orchestration in his symphonies has been the cause of much debate. Gustav Mahler’s re-orchestrations from the early 1900s provide models of tasteful modification that are suited to the larger orchestras of today.
Robert Schumann’s symphonies are deservedly popular, the undeniable quality of their music transcending any doubts about their original orchestration. Today’s historically informed performances have brought us closer to Schumann’s original conception, but Mahler’s subtle re-orchestrations were made in the light of instrumental developments and the increase in size of the typical symphony orchestra towards the beginning of the 20th century, and as a result are still of great benefit today.