Customer Reviews

Schumann: Symphony No. 3 Rhenish / Overture, Scherzo & Finale / Genoveva Overture - Christian Thielemann / Philharmonia Orchestra

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This disc represents something of distinction in today's classical music economy - a performance that does not sound like almost every other recent recording of the same work. Thielemann's vision of Schumann comes across quite appropriately in the dark, thick textures he draws from the Philharmonia and in the notably elastic tempi (though less elastic than in No. 2 under same conductor/orchestra). The recording was made in the Watford Colosseum and is one of the better 4D results achieved by DG. I would have preferred a slightly slower rendition of the "Cologne Cathedral" processional 4th movement, but this is very fine Rhenish symphony nevertheless.

Thielemann takes a very Romantic view of Schumann's scores in this fine CD. He is most successful with the 3rd Symphony, which is one of the most riveting performances I have heard; nearly as exciting as Leonard Bernstein's Vienna Philharmonic version. Yet it is darker, more somber in tone than Bernstein's. Although well played by the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Genoveva scores aren't as exciting as its vibrant performance of Schumann's 3rd Symphony. Deutsche Grammophon's sound quality is fine, but I have heard better, most notably on its Sinopoli Schumann symphony cycle with the Dresden Staatskapelle.

Thielemann is a gifted conductor his schumann symphony no.2 is one the best I ever heard but this cd is well kindof stale i think he is capable of doing better.