Search - Robert Schumann, John Eliot Gardiner, Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique :: Schumann: Complete Symphonies

Gardiner does it again, and again, and again...

12/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another wonderful set of discs from Gardiner -- how on earth does he do it? No matter, these interpretations are thrilling. Powerful yet clear, forward moving yet expressive, and free of the musical rambling usually associated with Schumann. I firmly believe that Schumann's undeserved reputation as a second rate composer is reinforced by all the absolutely *stupid* performance traditions associated with his works (particularly his early piano works -- pianists usually ignore Schumann's precise markings). Gardiner scraps tradition here. The finale of the First Symphony is no longer a dainty ditty but a vigorous, life affirming dance coloured with Schumann's lyric muse -- a wonderful fusing of the "animato" of Schumann's tempo mark and the the farewell of Spring that the music depicts. In this interpretation, the Third Symphony gathers energy from movement to movement. The awesome cathedralesque splendor of the fourth movement is realized splendidly and the sweeping finale avoids the sense of anticlimax that usually happens in performances and recordings of this work. The Second Symphony (my personal favorite) is just magnificent from start to finish -- with an especially affecting slow movement and a finale that suits Gardiner's conducting very well. And, as always, textures are clarified and details are revealed -- listen, for example, to the busy texture of the recap. of the first movement of the Second. As I was listening to this cycle I kept on saying to myself "it can't possibly be this good!" But it is, believe me."

A must for all Schumann lovers.

Miles D. Moore | Alexandria, VA USA | 02/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Eliot Gardiner's scholarly approach to the orchestral music of Robert Schumann has nothing fusty about it; in fact, the elegance and sprightliness of the music shines through, putting the lie to the old canard that Schumann was a heavy, unimaginative orchestrator. Besides excellent versions of old favorites such as the "Rhenish" Symphony and the Konzertstuck for four horns and orchestra, there are enticing rarities here, such as Schumann's apprentice G Minor symphony, the "Zwickau," which isn't included in his official canon of symphonies. I cannot see why any true Schumann fans would not want to have this boxed set; it is a fascinating document, presenting Schumann's music much as he must have imagined it himself."

Schumann Restored

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 11/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set of CDs set out to debunk the myth that Robert Schumann was an incompetent orchestrator and was merely a gifted amateur. The results are an unqualified success. Recorded here are all of Schumann's works for orchestra, including the little heard first version of the 4th symphony and his earliest symphonic work the so-called "Zwickau" symphony.John Elliot Gardiner and his Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique play these works with passion and conviction. The playing is fabulous and the recording quality is superb. It was a great discovery for me to listen to these discs and fully appreciate Schumann's place in musical history. Prior to this, my interest in this composer was slight, so this set filled a gap. I can attest that the Rhenish symphony and the revised 4th, the most popular of Schumann's symphonies, sparkle under Gardiner's direction. My older recording of these works are rarely played now. I highly recommend the journey that these records offer."