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Schumann: Symphonies Nos.1 & 2

11.98

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Schumann: Symphonies Nos.1 & 2

4.1

Highest ranking 101

5 comments

$11.98

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KenReviewed in the United States on November 24, 2014

I have a CD on Schumann's symphony with Lenny's conducting and Vienna Philharmonic. However I never had a chance to listen Lenny's Schumann with NYP and am loking for this CD for many years. So I am very happy to receive the disks.

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Ryota ItakuraReviewed in the United States on November 13, 2013

I prefer this recordings to the same pieces he recorded for Deutsche Grammophon.Mr.ernstein seemed to be very young!New York Philharmonic played Schumann's symphonies very well.

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Huntley DentReviewed in the United States on April 5, 2010

It's relatively easy to acquire either of Bernstein's Schumann symphony cycles--from Nyew York (1960) and Vienna (1984)--at mid-price, and real devotees may want both, since they ae considerably different. If I had to select the best single performances, I would choose Syms. 3 and 4 from the first cycle and Syms. 1 and 2 from the second. This, despite the delirious Scherzo from the NY Phil. in Sym. #2, one of the most exciting things from the younger Bernstein. In general, here are the key differences between the two sets as I hear them: Sound: There is a major difference here. The NY cycle was recorded in Manhattan Center, the venue of choice for the New York Phil. before Avery Fisher Hall was inaugurated. As usual, the orchestra sounds larger than life, with wide-ranging stereo separation, deep, prominent bass, and a combination of forward placement and lots of reverberation. As a result, Schumann's orchestral writing sounds heroic, on the same scale as Bernstein's famous 1964 Eroica, recorded under similar conditions. In Vienna 24 years later, sonices aren't better, only more modest. This cycle was ecorded live, and the orchestra is further away--the listener is sitting in the middle of the hall. There is less inner detail as a result, and the sonics overall are less splashy. This drier, smaller, more blended sound has less impact than the NY recordings, but the music is caught in correct proportion rather than being inflated. It should also be noted that Bernstein uses Schumann's original orchestration, despite the criticisms offered over the years that led to much tampering by other conductors, including Mahler and Szell. Interpretation: Bernstein in 1984 was more seasoned and some would say more somber than his younger self. He still conducts these symphonies with fervor and exuberance, but in NY he produced readings that were radiant and joyous. These are subjective terms, of course, and by any measue Bernstein was always involved with this music. The NY performances in general are a touch faster, but not enough to make a big difference. The big difference is an impalpable quality. How can ou measure joy? But one only has to listen to the first movement of the Rhenish Sym. (#3), which explodes from the speakers with exhiliration in the NY reading, to instantly recognize what is missing from the very fine Vienna one. For that reason, and since I am hooked on that huge NY sound, I rate the earlier cycle that much better than the Vienna one.

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Dan BetelmannReviewed in the United States on October 29, 2012

The Schumann symphonies have always been favorites of mine -- well, I must admit that I've never been crazy about the Spring Symphony, but three out of four isn't bad -- and have collected a number of complete cycles, a few of which I rate highly. For period instruments, I like both Roy Goodman and John Eliot Gardiner, though I prefer the former over the latter. For "old style modern" treatments, there are the classic recordings by Szell and Sawallisch, as well as attractive lesser known options such as Solti and Haitink and Masur (with the Gewandhaus Orchestra). And then there was always the set recorded by Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic. I recently listened to these performances after a very long hiatus, and I find myself enthusiastic as I wasn't previously. On this disc, the Second Symphony is given a particularly enthusiastic -- manic at times -- rendition. On the companion disc, the Rhenish bubbles with excitement and the Fourth Symphony comes off well also, plus there's a nice performance of the Manfred Overture. And, coming back to this particular disc, I think my indifference to the Spring Symphony may be showing some cracks. In short, this first Schumann cycle by Bernstein -- he did another for Deutsche Grammophon later -- joins my elite group. At times, in this particular edition, the sound seems a little harsh, but I'll accept that in order to hear these works played the way the NYPO does here. Recommended, as is the companion disc with Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4.

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Inclassic.frReviewed in France on May 24, 2014

Il est vrai que la Bernstein Edition comprend comme toute les éditions de ce type du mon avec du moins bon mais dans ce cas, cette seconde symphonie de Schumann est sans doute une des oeuvres de chevet de Leonard Bernstein est très réussie, un vrai plaisir