Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture

Robert Schumann (Artist), George Szell (Artist), Cleveland Orchestra (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029PC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,882 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical and swinging music lines, April 13, 2002

By 

Blygman (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture (Audio CD)

I had the Sony Classical Kubelik's version on K7. I decided to compare the versions recommended by Grammophone, Penguin & NPR to decide which one I would buy on CD.

At my surprise, I found Kubelik's version bland compared to others.

To my ears, Gardiner is too much rushing the score and the orchestra with periodic instruments sounds too thin and bright. At first, I liked it but then realized I was not really engrossed as I like it. Not surprising, as contrary to many people, I do not really go for his archetyped systematic way of playing music esp. romantic music (IMHO).

Then Bernstein's is joyful, full of go but sometimes desarticulated (1st symphony), impressive though.

And finally, Szell's is the one that sings & swings to me even during quiet movements it still gives me the goosebumps. I feel drawn into the music. The only drawback is the sound quality, the sound can seem a little muffled compared to other versions.

52 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More a warning than a review, February 25, 2006

By 

Wayne A. (Belfast, Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture (Audio CD)

Fantastic set, one of my favorite of a huge pile--the one I seem to go back to most frequently.

If you buy this and the CDs are in non-removable cardboard sleeves inside the packaging (they should be), CAREFULLY take the discs out and put them in jewel cases for the remainder of their (or your) lives. The idiotically designed packaging actually scratches up the discs--primarily the second one (the glued inside (!!) seam rubs up against the surface). I'm meticulous with my CD handling and discovered, to my horror, that this has happened with nearly every set I own in this series!

I've encountered worse elsewhere--trendy avant-garde labels are the worst, they might as well package CDs in sandpaper or include a crowbar [If the moron who designed the breathtakingly idiotic packaging for the KAIROS Morton Feldman disc ever reads this, be warned, I will track you down someday and ruin your career as a designer]; it's amazing that at this late date in the evolution of the CD packaging designers still haven't developed the right sensitivities or simply yielded wholly to the imperfect but better-than-anything-else stock jewel box. Why that ingenius package that would actually automatically lift and free the disc when opened never caught on (despite the added 10 cent per unit cost, that I, for one, would gladly have absorbed) is anybody's guess.

[Post note: Amazing, I publish this solely to cue people that there's a problem with the packaging on this and I get a "not helpful" vote! What a putz!]

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legendary Performances of Schumann Symphonies, March 22, 2000

By 

Paul Bunkerr (New London, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schumann: Symphonies 1-4; Manfred Overture (Audio CD)

The original LP recordings of the four Schumann symphonies, Manfred Overture, and (sadly not included) Piano Concerto have been a benchmark for all others since they were first released in the late 50's, and for very good reason. The performances are simply magificent. Yes, Szell did make some adjustments in Schumann's original instrumentation to achieve better balances, but the results are always effective and musical. The Symphony No. 2 was a "calling card" piece for the Cleveland Orchestra and Szell on tour and you will never hear it more beautifully performed than you will on this recording. The SONY packaging is wonderful with plenty of vintage Szell photographs and an excerpt of a very articulate article written by Szell in support of Schumann's orchestral works. Buy this now; you won't regret it!