Bernstein: Schumann – The Symphonies (2 CD, APE)

Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
Composer: Robert Schumann
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 590 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc 1
1. Symphony No.1 in B flat, Op.38 – “Spring” – 1. Andante un poco maestoso – Allegro molto vivace
2. Symphony No.1 in B flat, Op.38 – “Spring” – 2. Larghetto
3. Symphony No.1 in B flat, Op.38 – “Spring” – 3. Scherzo (Molto vivace)
4. Symphony No.1 in B flat, Op.38 – “Spring” – 4. Allegro animato e grazioso
5. Symphony No.2 in C, Op.61 – 1. Sostenuto assai – Un poco più vivace – Allegro ma non troppo – Con fuoco
6. Symphony No.2 in C, Op.61 – 2. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)
7. Symphony No.2 in C, Op.61 – 3. Adagio espresssivo
8. Symphony No.2 in C, Op.61 – 4. Allegro molto vivace

Disc 2
1. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.97 – “Rhenish” – 1. Lebhaft
2. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.97 – “Rhenish” – 2. Scherzo (Sehr mäßig)
3. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.97 – “Rhenish” – 3. Nicht schnell
4. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.97 – “Rhenish” – 4. Feierlich
5. Symphony No.3 in E flat, Op.97 – “Rhenish” – 5. Lebhaft
6. Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120 – 1. Ziemlich langsam – Lebhaft
7. Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120 – 2. Romanze (Ziemlich langsam)
8. Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120 – 3. Scherzo
9. Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120 – 4. Langsam – Lebhaft – Schneller – Presto

Symphony No. 1 in B flat major (“Spring”), Op. 38
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein

Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein

Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (“Rhenish”), Op. 97
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein

Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein was full of surprises. A conductor often accused of hopeless self-indulgence, he responded intuitively to the classical aesthetic of Haydn, and no less to the early Romantic bravado of Schumann. In fact, these symphonies have never been better played or conducted than they are here. These are performances of high passion–they’re either very fast or very slow–and extraordinary color and drama. Bernstein sticks faithfully to the composer’s original, thick orchestrations but makes each symphony work through playing of unflagging clarity and chamber music-like balance. That this was all done live, in performances of such wide emotional range, is amazing. But amazing was what Bernstein did best. –David Hurwitz

Second Set for me

I lost the original CDs when I purchased this set, so I just got a replacement. Schumann symphonies are what I give people after they ask, “So, is there anything good other than Beethoven?” These four symphonies, and to my mind especially number four, are very approachable for those not used to classical music. Bernstein is at his finest here. The sound is rich and it’s a great collection. Remember, there are two full CDs in this set, even though the box looks like just one. Do yourself a favor and get these for yourself.