Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 / Schubert: Symphony No. 4, d. 417

Franz Berwald (Composer), Franz Schubert (Composer), Igor Markevitch (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Igor Markevitch
• Composer: Franz Berwald, Franz Schubert
• Audio CD (February 10, 1998)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001H01
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,568 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Symphonies, July 27, 2000

By 

Michael B. Richman (Portland, Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 / Schubert: Symphony No. 4, d. 417 (Audio CD)

This is a great coupling from DG originals. The Berlin Philharmonic, under the direction of Igor Markevitch, is in top form on the 3rd and 4th Symphonies by lesser known composer Franz Berwald. These are very unconventional, yet fully satisfying romantic works. Schubert's Symphony No. 4 is altogether more recognizable piece, and it is the perfect fit after the Berwald symphonies. The recordings are in mono (from 1955) but they are first rate. Finally, the CD logs in at almost 80 minutes, so you get a lot of value for your money.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Markevitch's exceptional Berwald interpretations, June 30, 2010

By 

LJM (Earth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 / Schubert: Symphony No. 4, d. 417 (Audio CD)

Igor Markevitch recorded two symphonies by the Swedish composer Franz Berwald (1796-1868) in 1956 with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. They are here coupled with a 1955 performance of Schubert's fourth symphony. All performances were recorded in mono, but sound fine.

If Berwald is an unknown composer to you, I would say that you've missed a great musical experience - especially in the case of one of the symphonies on this CD: Sinfonie singulière, Berwald's third symphony. This highly original, beautiful masterpiece is, in my view, one of the greatest symphonies that we have from the early romantic period. It has a three movement structure, but the second movement - the adagio - includes a witty scherzo as a middle section. The adagio section features a stunningly beautiful theme that is unforgettable. The outer movements are original and boisterous in character.

Markevitch's performance of Sinfonie singulière in C major is unmatched on record. But collectors should look for Tor Mann's early 1938 recording for reference, Conductors as Mediators (2CD); an edition which includes Sten Broman's fine 1968 performance as well. In addition, Ulf Björlin's interpretation from the seventies is also exceptional, now available in a bargain twofer: Berwald: Overtures, Concertos & Symphonies.

The other Berwald symphony on this CD is Sinfonie Naive, the fourth in E flat major. Again, this is also a musically interesting work, with arresting themes and thematic development. Markevitch's performance is excellent, a clear frontrunner before Björlin's and later recordings.

The Schubert symphony performance must be seen as a fill-up (the original LP included only the Berwald symphonies), but it is also a great recording in its own right which has a place in every Schubert collection.

A desert island disc, no less.