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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2007 17:11:55 GMT
In the 60's I had owned a record of Schumann's 4th Symphony that was perhaps most cherished record. It was on the Vanguard Everyman Series and cost very little. It disappeared when I gave a party sometime in the 80's. The names of the orchestra and conductor have eluded me for a while now as I last heard it some 20 years ago, and my memory isn't what it used to be. I searched high and low for the record and also for a replacement. Alas, all subsequent recordings were not as exciting, as detailed, nor did they possess any effective tension leading to glorious crescendos and resolution. It seemed as though the many (50 or so) versions were done almost as an afterthought, leaving me bored, bitter, and still questing.
Unbeknownst to me, Gustav Mahler had arranged Robert Schumann's 2nd and 4th symphonies and the great Mahler-ian conductor Riccardo Chally has recorded them on Decca.
This is the one! It's the Mahler arrangement that's the key. I have lived to find and hear the Schumann symphony in all of it's excitement, tension, and glory. I'm hardly what you would call a religious man, but I guess I can give a Halleluja (spelling?) once in a while when it's deserved.
If you have love for full symphony orchestra excitement, with the tympani resounding throughout the house, and great recording techniques, please do look this one up. The UPC code is: 028947583523 and the Decca number is 475 8352.
John
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Post by fanboi on Oct 24, 2007 0:07:36 GMT
One is on the way, presume the version you have is the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra? I did see some suggestion of a previous recording for Decca with Chailly and the Concertgebouw which was not as highly regarded.
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Sol
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Post by Sol on Oct 24, 2007 7:54:26 GMT
I have a book of the most highly regarded CD recordings of classical ... it's never seen me wrong yet.
Name the composer, piece, and it references normally a couple of recordings of note. If I remember, when I get home, I'll take a look for Schumann's 2nd and 4th. Obviously this will not be vinyl!
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Post by fanboi on Oct 24, 2007 9:52:24 GMT
That sounds like a book worth investigating Sol. More info please
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Sol
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Chief Technical Numpty
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Post by Sol on Oct 27, 2007 16:44:14 GMT
The book is by Gramophone in association with B&W and is called Classical Good CD Guide 2000 - it's 1360 pages long. Here's what a brief foray found on Schumann's 3rd and 4th. page 1page 2
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Post by fanboi on Oct 28, 2007 22:30:08 GMT
Thanks for that Sol, will see if I can come across one.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2007 3:56:40 GMT
One is on the way, presume the version you have is the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra? I did see some suggestion of a previous recording for Decca with Chailly and the Concertgebouw which was not as highly regarded. Yes, the Leipzig Gewandhaus is the orchestra, here. And, although it is a jammin' 4th, and it was a Mahlerian arrangement I had heard 30 years ago, the old record version is/was even more deliberate, tense, explosive, energizing. Some cues I listen for are there in Chailly's version, but just not as tense or involving. On the record the 4th was paired with the 1st, both flying along at breakneck speed, and flinging me along with them. I guess it'll be lost to memory. I also bought the Chailly entire Mahler Symphony box set on Decca and the entire Symphony set of Brahms by Chailly, again. I find his renditions heartfelt and exciting. I hope you like the Schumann, Tony. It gets up and goes. The Slee Solo Green and the AT's are a great classical music set up, too. Thanks, Sol, for the catalog info, I'll dig into it. John
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Post by fanboi on Nov 2, 2007 10:20:04 GMT
Yesss, I like - passes the "grab your ear test" That is where I put whatever it is on the speaker system and get on with doing other things, cooking, surfing etc - if the music is good it will keep grabbing my attention and saying "hey listen to this" and I will stop for a minute or two and pay attention. Headphones have a more focusing sort of effect and while they will allow the full beauty of the music through they do not allow this sort of test. I have found this test to work very well for cartridges, some make very nice sounds but just miss out on the "hey you - listen up" my favourites do the nice sounds part but also do the "won't be ignored" thang. Oddly enough, it can be volume dependent, I recall one recording of Beethovens 7th Symphony that came with high recommendation - I just did not get it, I found another recording to have more excitement - until I gave it a little more schtick - then I heard what it was about. This is my first foray into Schumann land, I do not think it will be my last. thanks for that John
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2007 13:54:14 GMT
There is something about getting a room going with a full orchestra (speaker based system) over an in the ear system (headphones). They both have to be good systems, though. I have a pair of Israeli made Morel Octave speakers that love going loud with a good amp. My neighbor is now into Schumann as well, as the sound carries into his domain, I'm afraid.
John
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