Schumann: The Symphonies - Otto Klemperer

Robert Schumann

Symphonies 1-4

Philharmonia and New Philharmonia Orchestras

Otto Klemperer

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 1 in B flat major ('Spring'), Op. 38t major ('Spring'), Op. 38: 4. Allegro animato e grazioso

5. Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op. 61

Disc: 2

Symphony No. 3 in E flat major ('Rhenish'), Op. 97

Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120:

Scenes From Goethe's Faust for vocal soloists, chorus & orchestra (or piano), WoO 3: Overture

Klemperer spent most of the 1960s completing this Schumann cycle so one should expect some variation in interpretation when approaching this set. #4 was the first to be recorded and is generally thought to be the best performance here. I agree with that assessment. It really is quite intense. The Spring Symphony (#1) was recorded soon after the orchestra became the New Philharmonia. This is also considered to be a successful performance, and I find it to be quite enjoyable. The recordings of Symphonies #2 and #3 are products of Klemperer's late years, and, yes, they are quite slow, especially #3. Despite this, I find them both to be worthwhile. You should probably own at least one other version of these, but the Klemperer performances should be heard by fans of the conductor and anyone else who wants a unique view of these great works. One can get these Symphonies in a recently released set of Klemperer recordings called Romantic Symphonies on EMI. Also, there is a live recording of the Schumann #2 on Testament from around the same time as the studio recording that's worth seeking out.