Schumann: Symphonies 1-4

Robert Schumann (Composer), Christoph Eschenbach (Conductor), Bamberg Symphony Chorus (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Bamberg Symphony Chorus
• Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach
• Composer: Robert Schumann
• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000059GRH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, May 16, 2009

By 

David Saemann - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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

This is Christoph Eschenbach's first recording of the Schumann Symphonies, made in Bamberg in 1990-1. He later rerecorded them in Hamburg. The Bamberg Symphony at this date was an almost ideal orchestra for Schumann. It had a honeyed sort of Central European sound, warm and gemutlichkeit, but never too heavy or wallowing. And this is all to the better, because Eschenbach is not one to rush things in Schumann. His basic tempos are moderate, and he is always willing to consider a ritard to bring out special detail. One might feel that the slow movement of the Second Symphony is just too slow, but it always is con moto and reveals much shifting texture. Eschenbach's Schumann also is never too loud, unlike Bernstein's or Solti's. The essential feeling throughout is basically meditative and dreamlike. The sound engineering emphasizes the full bodied nature of the orchestral palette, with slightly crisper sound on the second disc than the first. I think this is one of the most revealing sets of the Schumann Symphonies out there.

10 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Buy, June 30, 2004

By 

L. Ku "pgroups" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Christoph Eschenbach leads the Bamberg to good, clear readings of the Schumann cycle. The sound is as good as the playing, and are very enjoyable performances. Plus, this is also the cheapest set of the 4 symphonies I've come across.