Schumann - The Complete Symphonies (Mahler Edition)

Robert Schumann (Composer), Riccardo Chailly (Conductor), Gewandhaus Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Gewandhaus Orchestra
• Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
• Composer: Robert Schumann
• Audio CD (February 12, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca Records
• ASIN: B000YM4I4S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,308 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #72 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Romantic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mahler made a good up-grade, April 4, 2008

By 

R. G. W. Brown "Physicist & Flutist" (Tustin, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Schumann - The Complete Symphonies (Mahler Edition) (Audio CD)

Mahler got it right. Many small changes to the orchestration, here and there, make Schumann's Symphonies all the more enjoyable. He sorted out some weaknesses and lightly re-scored in places for even better results. This is super-polished Schumann, not Mahlerized-versions.

Having performed all of these symphonies with various orchestras over the years, it has been a delight for me to discover the Mahler editions, especially in these fine performances by the Gewandhaus and Chailly - ebbing and flowing beautifully, full of nuance and detail - most entertaining and polished.

You will enjoy these performances a great deal if you enjoy Schumann.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very unusual Schumann -- laid back, compact, reserved, February 19, 2008

By 

G. Brown - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Schumann - The Complete Symphonies (Mahler Edition) (Audio CD)

Riccardo Chailly is doing wonders with the Leipzig Gewandhaus, finding hidden potential and reserves of excitment in the orchestra. He earned much priase for a previous CD of the Schumann Sym. #2 and #4. There was the novelty of hering Mahler's revised version of the scores, even though the touches seem minimal to all but the most experienced listener. But the performances themselves felt sleek and updated. Now we have the other two symphonies, the "Spring" and the "Rhenish" to fill out the cycle.

The same style is applied to the new installments. I'd describe Chailly's approach as reserved nobility. He doesn't allow the music to run away with its own Romaantic frenzy the way Bernstein does, nor does he clip its wings so drastically as Szell. There's lots of full-blooded expression here, yet the contour of the music is very controlled. Fans of Chailly will recognize and appreciate this control; those of us who love a more unbuttoned Schumann will be less thrilled. But with such good sonics from Decca and the orchestra playing so well, this new cycle stands out as one of the best in recent years.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Schumann arr Mahler.......With a little help from Chailly, March 21, 2008

By 

P. J. Ross (uk) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Schumann - The Complete Symphonies (Mahler Edition) (Audio CD)

This is an interesting set of discs,possibly more of curiosity value than a primary recommendation for these symphonies.
Chailly made an earlier recording of these works for DECCA,but with the concertgebouw orchestra and in Schumann's own orchestration.Listening to these discs I am not at all sure that Mahler knew best in this case.
My own view is that the enterprise excellently charts the current state of the relationship between the Leipzig orchestra and its music director and showcases the now apparently revitalised orchestra's marvellous playing aided by a typically lucid DEECA recording. I think that these discs should be purchased as an ADDITION to an existing first choice,but NOT a first choice itself